I don’t even know how to begin writing about this trip. We took our time getting here from Toledo because we had a few days to make the journey. When we were 10 miles from Waterloo, a Department of Motor Vehicle Enforcement officer in Iowa decided to pull me over because I passed a weigh scale. Now my vehicle is titled and registered as a Recreational Vehicle and, accordingly to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the State of Iowa, Motor Homes and Recreational Vehicles are not required to pull through the weigh stations. I have personally spoken with the Federal Specialist in Ames, IA for the FMCSA and was given very specific guidelines about what would be expected of me (as I have done for every state in which we travel).
The officer kept me on the side of the road for almost an hour talking about his interpretation of the FMCSA regulations saying that he felt strongly that I needed a CDL, DOT number, Log Book, and a number of other things BUT restated the fact that, according to Iowa law, I was not required to pull through the weigh scales. I guess I don’t get it. I’m not required to pull through BUT if I don’t, they’re going to come after me and pull me over.
He finally let me go without any citations for which I was very thankful. We headed on to the hotel a bit shaken by the experience but ready to face the next day at Tama Hall.
We arrived at Tama Hall to news that the show was sold out – a great way to start the day. The venue, however, was a bit more challenging. This venue isn’t really an “auditorium” and has very limited lighting capabilities, no batons on which to hang additional lighting (like our intelligent lights) or scenery of any kind. We were doing a “bare bones” show tonight! On a positive note, the people we worked with and the audience that night were absolutely amazing! The show went well, in spite of the challenges, and the audience was completely engaged in the performance. What more can you ask?
During the day, the officer who had stopped me the previous day showed up at the venue. He had done some additional “research” and decided that I did need a citation after all. He initially wrote me an “out of service” order which basically means I was not legally able to drive the truck! So, here we are in the middle of Iowa with two weeks of performances still ahead of us and we were shut down. I have never been so frustrated and scared about what to do. We didn’t even have any options without running illegal for the rest of the trip – that’s not something that I am ever comfortable with doing!
After another two hours of discussion, the officer made a phone call and wrote me a citation that would allow me to finish this leg of the tour and return to Virginia to get my CDL. Now I just have to pray that I pass it! He also wrote me for several other things, none of which he fined me for (another incredible blessing).
God always provides a way to do His will. Have I learned a lot? Sure. But I’m still incredibly frustrated that all the information that has been given to me by LOTS of state FMCSA Specialists is wrong. How can that be? How can they not give me the right information and put all of us in such jeopardy out here on the highways? And then hold me responsible for NOT knowing the right information? I still don’t get it…but I’m definitely going to comply. I don’t want to go through any of this again…..
I guess I’ll start studying for my CDL exam right away!