Every little thing to Know About Weigh Stations
Most motorists cross weigh stations on daily basis and don’t assume a lot of them. However for truck drivers, weigh stations are a continuing presence they want to concentrate on whereas driving. There are at present 680 weigh stations in operation all throughout the nation. These stations serve a lot of functions and have very strict guidelines that every one truck drivers should observe. Right here’s every little thing to learn about weigh stations.
What’s a Weigh Station?
A weigh station is an space off the freeway the place truck drivers pull over to have their truck weighed and inspected. They’re known as a “port of entry” after they’re close to a state border, however they can be within the inside of a state, particularly in an space the place there’s a variety of freight motion.
What Occurs at a Weigh Station?
It was once that weigh stations did simply what the identify implies; weigh semi-trucks. Now, the position of a weigh station is far broader. Along with weighing vans to verify they’re beneath the authorized restrict, (the federal restrict is 80,000 kilos) weigh stations can also verify to be sure that drivers are in compliance with all FMCSA and DOT laws. This contains checking for HOS violations, taking a look at freight paperwork, and checking for different security violations associated to the truck, just like an ordinary DOT inspection.
When approaching a weigh station, the driving force will first look to see if it’s open. There can be flashing lights or an indication saying whether it is or not. If it’s open, the driving force will get within the right lane and pull over, both getting in line to be weighed or driving as much as the size if it’s open. Some scales are moveable and the driving force could be weighed whereas driving, whereas others are stationery and require the driving force to cease the truck. As soon as the driving force has been weighed, they’ll both be waved off or sign lights will allow them to know that they’re topic to an additional inspection.
Do Vehicles Should Cease at Each Weigh Station?
Sure, drivers of any industrial automobile over 10,000 kilos must cease at any weigh station they arrive throughout that’s open. By no means take into consideration skipping a weigh station, even when there’s an extended line. The dangers of doing so closely outweigh any profit.
It’s very potential {that a} state trooper can be on the weigh station ready for a truck driver to drive by with out stopping and pull you over. The ticket alone might be a whole bunch of {dollars}. That’s to not point out that the officer may have you get off on the nearest exit and get again on the freeway to undergo the weigh station. At that time, it’s more likely that you just’ll be topic to an inspection somewhat than being weighed then waved off.
Should you’re ever questioning if there’ll be a weigh station in your route, you may verify right here for a complete listing of each weigh station within the nation. This listing additionally incorporates data on tolls, gas tax charges, and extra.
Can I Bypass a Weigh Station?
In case your provider participates in a bypass resolution like, PrePass or Drivewyze, then you definately could possibly. These are mounted gadgets that may be put in your cab to provide you with a warning when a weigh station is approaching and when you’re capable of bypass it or not. Remember, there are some sorts of masses, like outsized and hazmat that all the time have to be checked, irrespective of you probably have a bypass system.
Whereas many drivers think about weigh stations a irritating a part of the job that provides time to their runs, they do serve a objective. Weigh stations are supposed to be sure that overweigh vans aren’t inflicting main injury to the nation’s highways that would result in main highway upkeep, delays, and potential accidents. So long as drivers observe all posted signage and hold all their freight paperwork within the truck, they need to be out of weigh stations and again on the highway very quickly.
