Warning: Laws are subject to change without notice. Submit your questions to www.askthelaw.org<\/a><\/p>\n TIRE CHAIN REQUIREMENTS<\/strong><\/p>\n Q:<\/strong> What is the law about carrying tire chains on a CMV? I have always believed that the law says that you must carry chains, whether used or not, from October 31 to March 31. I have been all through the FMCSR\u2019s and can find nothing. My fleet manager says only certain states require chains to be carried. Who is correct, and where do I find the info? Thank you \u2013 James in Missouri<\/p>\n A: Provided by Senior Trooper Monty Dial (Ret.)<\/a>, Texas Highway Patrol, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, Garland, TX:<\/strong> You could read the DOT Regulation Handbook again and you will come up with the same answer again. There is no DOT regulation that requires a commercial motor vehicle to be equipped with tire chains. It is, however, a law that some states require CMV\u2019s to carry and use them. Visit www.tirechainsrequired.com\/laws.html<\/a> for a list of each state\u2019s specific tire chain requirements.<\/p>\n LOGBOOK PAGE SEIZED BY TROOPER<\/strong><\/p>\n Q:<\/strong> One of my co-workers was recently stopped by a Washington State Trooper. After the stop (and a citation issued for a stop sign violation), the driver found that the trooper had torn out the carbon copy of the current day\u2019s log. The trooper never even told my co-worker that he kept the page. Since he was only about 50 miles from his terminal, the driver simply made a photocopy for his records. Is what the trooper did legal? Thanks \u2013 Bob in Oregon<\/p>\n A: Provided by Officer Jaime Nunez<\/a>, California Highway Patrol, Commercial Vehicle Section, Sacramento, CA:<\/strong> Section 395.8 of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, contains an interpretation that is relative to this issue. In question number nine of the interpretation, it is asked whether a duplicate copy of a record of duty status can be submitted if an original was seized by an enforcement official. It is clear from the interpretation that enforcement officials may seize documents. In California, case law allows for the seizure of a logbook page by an enforcement official. Additionally, a driver must prepare a second original record of duty status to replace any page taken. The driver should note the first original had been taken by an enforcement official and the circumstances under which it was taken.<\/p>\n HAZ-MAT RECORD KEEPING<\/strong><\/p>\n Q:<\/strong> Am I correct that as a haz-mat carrier of explosives, I can destroy bills of lading after just one year of accepting the load? Thank you in advance \u2013 Rick in Illinois<\/p>\n
\nThese interpretations were made on November 12, 2012.<\/span><\/p>\nBrought to you as a public service by Ol\u2019 Blue, USA and 10-4.<\/h4>\n