The Most Important Dos and Don’ts When Stopping at a Weigh Station
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Truck drivers, just like any other worker, have schedules and deadlines to meet. They are often required to deliver their cargo to its destination as quickly as possible.
In an effort to make the delivery on time, some drivers tend to drive as far as possible before taking a short break. But when they approach a weigh station and get the red light, they have no choice but to pull over.
What exactly is a weigh station?
A weigh station is a checkpoint along the highway where the federal government requires commercial vehicles and trucks to stop. It is a place where these large vehicles are weighed and inspected to make sure they are safe and meet guidelines.
But aside from monitoring the weight of commercial vehicles and trucks to ensure that they fall within the safety guidelines imposed by the state, weigh stations are also used to determine the exact weight of transported goods that they are carrying. Most states collect taxes based on their cargo's weight, so these stations are essential for tax purposes.
What to expect at a weigh station?
Every state has its own weigh station rules, so trucking companies and commercial vehicle operators must inform their drivers about these rules. However, most states require that trucks weighing 10,000 pounds or more must stop at all weigh stations.
A weigh station has a rolling scale. Once at the station, the trucker must drive at the required speed to pass over the scale. After the vehicle has been weighed and verified to be under 80,000 pounds, the DOT number will be input into a computer, and the logbook will be checked for accuracy before the driver will be given the green light to exit the station.
If a truck is flagged for inspection by the Department of Transportation (DOT) or state inspection officer, it may not be able to exit the station. A truck may be flagged for inspection if any of these situations are seen: cracks in rims or wheels, tubing or hose leak, worn tire thread, low and flat tires, malfunctioning brakes, missing or broken springs, and antifreeze, fuel, or oil leaks. It will not be allowed to run or transport the goods until all repairs have been completed.
While a weigh station ensures that the open road drivers are using is free from unsafe and overweight vehicles, the unexpected stop can surely add to their stress. If you are a trucker and want to get through a weigh station without worries, here are the most important dos and don’ts to keep in mind.
Do...
Pull up at the station and get lined up for the scale. The law requires that you stop at an open weigh station whenever you come upon one. If you don't do this, you may be subject to a penalty or lose your commercial driver's license altogether. Once at the station, be sure to line up, if there’s any, and wait patiently for the truck in front of you to get done before you move your vehicle.
Have your paperwork ready. While waiting in line, you may take out your paperwork and have it available for inspection later. Make sure it is up to date—if you’re still using paper logs, see to it that they are properly filled out. Take note: if there is any missing paperwork, your stop may take much longer.
Follow the signs or instructions given by the weigh station personnel. Make sure to observe the required speed limit when driving over the scale and strictly follow the directions relating to slowing or stopping. Failure to do so may lead to inconvenience for other truckers and unnecessary delays.
Keep your truck clean and keep up a neat and tidy appearance. A clean and well-maintained vehicle makes a good first impression. The same is true when you have a neat and tidy appearance. The DOT is likely to skip your truck for a more thorough inspection if you look neat, your vehicle is clean, and the dash is clear because this means you are taking good care of yourself and your ride.
Remain calm and act like the professional that you are. When there’s a long line at the station, it’s most likely that you won’t be able to stay on schedule. And the inconvenience may be worse if there are issues found on your cargo and the vehicle itself. In such situations, make sure to remain calm and be professional. Be truthful and ask the inspection officer politely on how to resolve the issues.
Don’t...
Leave your truck while in line or when on the scale unless you’re told to get out. While it's quite tempting to get off your vehicle and take a quick break while waiting for your turn, this should be a no-no. Doing this may not only inconvenience others, but it may also result in a frustrating delay.
Use sarcasm. The weigh station personnel may ask you questions, and regardless of their apparent nature, you must not use sarcasm at all times. Be courteous and answer the questions diligently. You may feel stressed by this inconvenience, but keeping your cool can go a long way.
Speed through the scales. If you're worried about getting behind the schedule, you might get tempted to speed through the scales to get it over and done with fast. But this is a big NO as this will put you in big trouble and put your safety and the safety of other trucks and people around you at risk. Drive only at the required speed limit and wait until your vehicle is weighed.
Weigh stations are there to make sure you are safe and compliant—something that everyone who’s using the roads day in and day out should be. If you keep this purpose and all the important tips mentioned above in mind, your next trip to any weigh station will be a little less stressful and a lot easier to handle.