31-18-301. Permanent cards and decals; operation without authority; inspections.

(a) The authority of any motor carrier issued after April 1, 1989, is valid until cancelled or revoked.

(b) No motor carrier that is required to have authority shall operate on the highways without a copy of the current authority carried in each power unit.

(c) A copy of the current authority shall upon demand, be presented by the driver of the vehicle to any of the field investigators of the department, members of the state highway patrol or authorized personnel of the department at its ports of entry. Investigators, troopers and authorized personnel may compel the driver to stop and submit the vehicle to an inspection by signs directing commercial vehicles or the motor carrier to stop at ports of entry or other locations designated by the department or by warning devices on vehicles of investigators, troopers or authorized personnel. All ports of entry shall post signs or signals indicating when the facility is open and directing commercial vehicles or motor carriers to stop for inspection. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a vehicle that is properly registered, has a proper fuel license, valid authority and is legal in size and weight, upon approval by the department, may be authorized to bypass a port of entry unless specifically directed to stop by an investigator, trooper or authorized personnel or by a sign or signal specifically requiring those vehicles to stop. These vehicles may, however, be required to slow to the designated speed and use the directed traffic lane for size and weight screening purposes.

(d) Vehicles checking through a port of entry shall not be required to stop at any other port of entry within the state on that trip unless there is an increase in the size or weight of the vehicle or its load, or unless specifically directed to stop by an investigator, trooper or authorized personnel or by a sign or signal specifically requiring those vehicles to stop.