OHP - Commercial Vehicle Enforcement SOP

Oklahoma’s Highway Patrol: Our Mission Statement
Working to provide a safe, secure environment for the public

through courteous, quality and professional services.
Commercial Vehicle Enforcement

Colonel: R. Nomad
Deputy Colonel: J. Johnson
Assistant Colonel: H. Morgan
In the SOP you will understand the logistics and
the knowledge of Commercial Vehicle
Enforcement. The Commercial Vehicle
Enforcement Division/Certification is responsible
for state regulations on all commercial motor
vehicles. Our major tasks include conducting
Safety Inspections, New Safety Audits, and Compliance Reviews to ensure
compliance with equipment and hours-of-service regulations. The division
is also tasked with enforcing Oklahoma’s size and weight laws and ensure
that commercial carriers are properly registered. The primary function of
Troop S, commonly referred to as Size and Weights, is providing the safest
environment for motorists by enforcing commercial motor vehicle laws and
Federal Motor Carrier regulations. By employing innovative and effective
enforcement strategies based upon statistical data, the troopers of Troop S
pursue public safety through the reduction of commercial vehicle crashes.
Commercial Checkpoints
A commercial vehicle checkpoint is a tool traffic services agencies use all

over the United States. These checkpoints are used to insure safety to the
operator of the vehicle as well for other motorists. In order to conduct a
commercial vehicle checkpoint, you must have at least 4 troopers out at the
location. You must place yourself and all other troopers in a safe location
off to the side of the road and have proper placement of traffic cones.
Troopers will then guide all commercial vehicles into the pull off where you
will then conduct vehicle inspections.
Vehicles Inspections
Commercial vehicles are to be inspected thoroughly. Here are examples

of what Troopers should be on the lookout for when doing a vehicle
inspection. The list goes as follows (Exterior rust, Seatbelts, Brakes,
Brake Lights, Exhaust Systems, Emergency Exits (buses only),
Frame sliders/ Side steps, Headlights, Turn Signals/Flashers, Safe
Loading, Proper Securement of Cargo, Tires, and Finally an
Inspected Fire Extinguisher.)
When To Pull Over Commercial Vehicles

Troopers can freely conduct pullovers on commercial vehicles for
inspection without any violation or road laws being broken. Troopers
need to, however, immediately inform the driver on the traffic stop is for
vehicle inspection only. Position yourself on the traffic stop as you would
normally. If the commercial vehicle weighs over 26,000LB leave enough
room for you to react in case the vehicle were to drift in your direction.
Table Of Contents:
2.1 - Cracked Braking Lines
2.2 - Cracked/Damaged Frames
2.3 - Fuel leaks
2.4 - Overweight Vehicles
2.5 - Oversize Vehicles
2.6 - Hours Of Service
2.7 - Driver Qualifications
2.8 - Load Securement
2.9 - Insurance Status
3.0 - OHP Vehicle SOP
3.1 - Troop Posts
2.1 - Cracked Brake Lines
Cracked Brake Lines are a Hydraulic tube that allows the brakes to fully
work. These can be broken very easily just whilst driving. These are
located on the inside of the Brake Disc and are easy to access once you
take the wheel off. They can be cracked by being used too much so they
sometimes need to be replaced. Driving with a Cracked Brake Line can
cause the brakes to malfunction which is highly illegal.
2.2 - Cracked/Damaged Frames
Cracked or Damaged Frames means the truck has a damaged chassis.

This can be very dangerous because it can cause the truck to fall apart at
any time. The main spot where the truck can be cracked/damaged is where
the back tires are connected to the frame, but just before the sleeper/cab.
These are highly dangerous but can be easily fixed at a mechanic
2.3 - Fuel Leaks
Fuel Leaks are not as common as any other issue, but do still occur. They
are when a tank of fuel has a minor crack or loose cap that allows fuel to
flow out. Most truck drivers have a patch they carry with them that they can
put on the hole/crack to stop the fuel from leaking until they see a
mechanic. If you find someone that has a fuel leak, the only thing you can
do is give them a Fix It Ticket and recommend a good mechanic.
2.4 - Overweight Vehicles
In most countries around the world, truck drivers think it is acceptable to

drive a vehicle that is overweight. Doing that can cause the frame to crack,
put pressure in the turntable and hitch, lose air in tires and bend rims. It
may seem a minor issue but it can cause the truck serious damage and we
as Troopers need to get that taken care of. The max load can only be
40,000 pounds. And the trucks GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) should be
exactly on or under 80,000LBs.
2.5 - Oversize Vehicles

Oversize vehicles is when the load they have on their trailer is exceeding
the limitations in both length and width. If the load is around 15 - 20
centimeters over the trailer, then that is your call if you want to issue them a
citation. However, if they have a caution flag attached to the trailer you can
NOT issue them a citation. If they have a load that is 20 centimeters
hanging off the trailer then you are allowed to issue a ticket. Always tell
them the limitations on what the legal standards are.
2.6 - Hours Of Service
Being a truck driver there are limitations in the amount of hours you can
drive per 24 hours. The limit of daylight driving hours is 12 hours. They
need to have a 8+ hour sleep break before they are legally allowed to drive
again. If you check their log book and find that they haven’t been logging
their hours, it is a $250 ticket. If you see their driving isn’t the best and they
are showing clear signs of being tired, that is when you can legally tow their
vehicle and take them to their house or motel.
2.7 - Driver Qualifications
In Oklahoma the first qualification you are allowed to have is the CDL Class
A qualification. Getting the Class B or C requires 5+ years of CDL Class A
driving experience. The difference between the classes is that Class A are
ONLY allowed to drive a commercial vehicle with 1 trailer. Class B is
allowed to drive with 2 trailers and wider loads. Class C is allowed to have
2 trailers but allows them to drive oversize vehicles and much wider/larger
loads. If someone is driving with a Tank on their trailer and they only have
the Class A Qualification, that is illegal because a Tank is too heavy to go
on a standard truck and it most likely will be too wide for the trailer.
2.8 - Load Securement
Securing your load is one of the most important things you can do. The
recommended amount of straps, chains or ropes is 4 - 6. This is because
the load needs to be secured properly to the trailer with barely any
movement. If the load moves freely while the truck is driving, it can result in
a $600 ticket.
2.9 - Insurance Status
Having insurance on your vehicle is legal. However, being a truck driver it

is more serious than a normal vehicle. The reason being, is because trucks
are a larger vehicle and are used more than cars. Issuing a driver a ticket is
the exact same as what you would do with a normal vehicle.
3.0 - OHP: Vehicle Standard Operating Procedure
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3.1 - Troop Posts for OHP

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Oklahoma’s Highway Patrol: Our Mission Statement

Working to provide a safe, secure environment for the public

Commercial Vehicle Enforcement

A commercial vehicle checkpoint is a tool traffic services agencies use all

Commercial vehicles are to be inspected thoroughly. Here are examples

When To Pull Over Commercial Vehicles

2.1 - Cracked Brake Lines

2.2 - Cracked/Damaged Frames

Cracked or Damaged Frames means the truck has a damaged chassis.

2.4 - Overweight Vehicles

In most countries around the world, truck drivers think it is acceptable to

2.5 - Oversize Vehicles

2.6 - Hours Of Service

2.7 - Driver Qualifications

2.9 - Insurance Status

Having insurance on your vehicle is legal. However, being a truck driver it

3.0 - OHP: Vehicle Standard Operating Procedure

3.1 - Troop Posts for OHP

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