Can A Walmart Manager Make You Move Your Truck

Hey guys im a rookie and found my self out of hours and barely made it to a walmart parking lot to shutdown for my ten hours but the manager came out and said i couldnt stay their can i stay or do i have to listen to the guy and leave

If he says you can't be there, than you have to leave. It is private property. Personally when I stop at a Walmart I go shopping. It may make a decent person feel guilty trying to run you off after you just finished spending money in their establishment. At least he asked you to leave. Most Walmart's nowadays just call the tow company to come install a boot. You wake up to find out you can't go anywhere and have a $300+ bill to get the boot off. I have heard some places the boot fee is insane. Like $800-$1000. But then truckers like to talk things up.

Josh, there's a common misconception that you can't be forced to leave if you are out of hours. I don't know where people came up with that idea, but it's simply not true. Private property is private property. They don't have to let you do anything. If someone ran out of hours and parked in your driveway, could you ask them to leave? Of course you could.

Before you even start your drive shift you should have a rough idea of where you're going to park later on. I understand that plans change as the day goes on, so you have to constantly update your trip plan as you go.

If you think you may be staying at a Walmart, give them a call before you get there to make sure it's all right.

"Hi I need to stop and do some shopping, and was wondering if I could stay the night on a back corner of your lot?"

That polite question has gotten me many a quiet trouble free night at a Walmart. Even if their policy prevents them from letting you stay, they often know of other areas to park.

Little off topic but one time i had a walmart phone responder lie to me instead of just saying no. She said the power was out and they were closed. I said hmm i wonder how shes using the phone. I had a hunch and it was a difficult lot to try to get in but i saw some truckers parked on a dead end next to the store and there was one spot left. I took it. The best bet is to call ahead. And if someone a manager warns you to leave its best to listen. You dont want to wake up to a ticket or whatever else.

Although some have lined truck parking, walmarts official national policy is no truck parking. each manager decides whether to comply with this. in illinois there is case going on where a walmart was fined by the town for allowing trucks to park in spaces not meant for trucks. some stores only allow parking in certain areas such as near the auto or garden center.

trucker path usually has good info on whether you can park and where on the lot is acceptable.

dont even try GA... but in MS i was told that truckers spend more in the store tha locals so they love us.

As a Walmart Dedicated driver, I am in and out of the stores constantly. Some allow 10 hour parking, overnight parking, some do not.

As Rainy said on the sides, near the garden center, and also typically if there is room, behind the store away from fouling any loading dock setup areas.

I highly suggest requesting permission from a store manager or assistant manager. Even the stores I frequent, I’ll always ask and never assume.

Make sure they know you are about to drop some coin grocery Shopping in their store. Be respectful and polite when talking to them.

You can legally drive off duty to the nearest safe haven, truck stop or rest area. Her is a link to the FMCSA explanation.

You can legally drive off duty to the nearest safe haven, truck stop or rest area. Her is a link to the FMCSA explanation.

But that is not gonna fly for "poor trip planning." The best bet is to just skip the whole Walmart parking, and only go in to shop.

I realize you're a rookie, and we have all been there. I was stuck in VA. when I first started. I put all my hope on a Pilot, that shouldn't even be considered a truck- stop. The lot was full, and I was told to "try the Walmart up the hill. " I got there and parked in the back, out of the way, Then went in and asked them if I could park. The woman who was in the receiving area told me "better to park and ask forgiveness, then to ask." So of course at 8am the manager comes out and tells me to move. After I explain that i'm out of hours, he says move it, or i'll have it towed. On my way back down the hill to the pilot, I get pulled in for a random road side weigh station.... thankfully I was not inspected. After getting back to the still full Pilot, I went next door to the Eagle truck wash, and they were nice enough to let me park.

After that I pretty much NEVER park at Walmart.

I can’t stress enough what Turtle & Diver Driver said is what’s going to save your tail out here. Especially the part about constantly updating your original plans. Crap happens every minute out here. An accident, construction, weather, you name it! Trucker Path, Google maps & politeness will keep you from violating your clock. I’ve made it to places with 5 mins left on my clock using this practice.

There are certain drivers that swear by their claims that Walmarts are better than truck stops. I only wonder where they shower? Plus my track record, even though it’s not a long one, hasn’t been very good when I try to park at Walmarts.

Now the rest of my post. The mantra my trainer taught me is, "12 hours to drive 550 miles, where will I park this truck?" Either the night before or by the time I finish my 30 minute break, I know where I will stop. Most days I stop with at least one hour left on my clock. If needed I reserve a spot and get reimbursed for it. For example before I went to sleep last night, I knew I was staying where I am now. Plan where you will stop and a few places before that one. Use Trucker Path to see the history of what time the place is usually full. Trucker Path can also show you the traffic on the roads. Use all of the tools you can. If you don't have a Rand McNally road atlas, get one today.