MONTPELIER, VERMONT — A Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles inspector placed a tractor-trailer out of service after responding to a BOLO for an allegedly erratic commercial vehicle driver, then later conducted a second stop and had the rig towed when it was found operating again without correcting the cited safety issues, officials said.

According to VT DMV, a Be On the Lookout (BOLO) was issued on Jan. 10, 2026, for a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) reported to be failing to maintain its lane and operating erratically. A DMV inspector responded to the area, located the vehicle, and observed the driver using a cellular phone while driving, officials said.

The inspector conducted a traffic stop and performed a commercial motor vehicle inspection of the tractor-trailer and driver. VT DMV said the vehicle combination was placed out of service due to multiple safety violations, including defective air hoses, multiple tires with less than 1/32 inch of tread depth, more than 20% of the combination’s brakes out of adjustment, inoperable trailer turn signals, air leaks not at proper connections, and loose air reservoir tanks.

The driver was issued a traffic citation for using a cellular phone while operating a CMV, officials said. Out-of-service orders prohibit continued operation until the violations are corrected.

VT DMV said a short time later, the same CMV was observed leaving the area. A second traffic stop was conducted, and officials determined none of the previously identified out-of-service violations had been corrected. The owner/operator was issued a fine for violating the out-of-service order, and the tractor-trailer combination was towed from the roadway, VT DMV said.

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