At the request of assigned security personnel, all motorists who wish to drive across Hoover Dam must stop for inspection. The checkpoints were established following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks to provide stricter security and control. One is located on U.S. Highway 93 one mile north of the dam in Nevada and the other is in Arizona, nine miles south of the dam. The checkpoints are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by the Bureau of Reclamation Police Officers.
The guidelines set for crossing the Hoover Dam restrict the following vehicles: buses with luggage; enclosed box trucks, moving vans, and vehicle/equipment transport trailers longer than 40 feet; vehicles carrying hazardous, combustible or flammable materials, munitions, explosives, fertilizer in excess of 40 lbs. or any material perceived to be a security risk; all commercial semi-trucks (18 wheelers) without permits acquired from the Hoover Dam Police Department. No more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition may be transported across the dam. No stopping of your vehicle is allowed on the dam. There are parking lots and roadway turnouts on each side of the dam if you would like to stop to take a look at the dam.
If you are asked to stop for inspection, officers may inspect the vehicle passenger areas, trunks, cargo areas, engine compartments, undercarriages and cargo holds as well as any closed or locked containers. Truck covered beds, trailer interiors and bus cargo bays may also be inspected. You are responsible for removing any cargo coverings and opening compartments as well as repacking the removed items. If you wish to avoid inspections,there are alternate routes through Laughlin, Nevada and Bullhead City, Arizona to cross the Colorado without going over the Hoover Dam. This route will add about 23 miles to your travel.
