Weigh Station Rules: Who Must Stop and What Happens If You Skip

You must stop at every open station that your state's rule covers and that its signs or an officer tell you to enter. California, North Carolina and Washington all tie the duty to the vehicle type or rating and to the signs. Rules differ by state, so read the law for each state you run.

Often yes. The California, North Carolina and Washington texts we read look at the type or rating of the vehicle, and none says an empty truck may skip. Being empty also does not change a truck's rating. Follow the signs, and ask the state agency if you are unsure.

It depends on the state and the vehicle. Caltrans says rental trucks must stop in California, and a small open-bed pickup is excused by the No Pickups signs. Caltrans also quotes California law that housecars and private passenger vehicles not used for hire are not commercial vehicles. North Carolina covers any vehicle with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more. Check the sign, and ask the state if you are unsure.

That depends on the state. It is a misdemeanor in California and North Carolina, a traffic infraction in Washington, and a civil infraction in Michigan. In Michigan, knowingly refusing an officer's order to be weighed is a misdemeanor. Officers may also order a truck to be weighed on the road.

The states do. Federal rule 23 CFR 657 requires each state to have an enforcement plan that FHWA accepts and to certify every year that it enforces its truck size and weight limits. In California the CHP runs the stations. In Georgia the Department of Public Safety runs them.

They check weight, and often credentials and safety record. South Dakota says its electronic screening weighs the truck and checks its safety rating and credentials. Georgia says its stations screen with weigh-in-motion systems and then weigh and measure selected trucks. An officer can also inspect the driver and the truck.

Inspectors often use FMCSA's Inspection Selection System. A score of 75 to 100 means inspect, 50 to 74 means optional and 1 to 49 means pass. The score comes mostly from the carrier's CSA data. It is only a recommendation, and each state decides how many trucks it can inspect. Some trucks are also picked at random.

Yes. South Dakota says even a participating truck can expect an occasional red light, and an officer can always order a truck in. A green light does not take away that power.

A service such as PrePass or Drivewyze checks your truck as it nears an open station and sends a green or red signal. Green lets an eligible truck skip the station. Red means pull in. The state decides which services may operate and sets the bypass rate. See our weigh station bypass term for who qualifies.

Mostly the name. Some states call their truck scale sites ports of entry. South Dakota uses that name for its scale sites, and Texas law lets officers stop trucks on a highway or at a port of entry. Use your state's own name when you look up its rules.