How to Weigh up Semi Trucks
Commercial Vehicles must meet required United States Department of Transportation weight guidelines in order to travel legally on major US highways and interstates. To verify compliance, commercial vehicles are required to stop at designated weigh stations along major interstate routes.
- Drivers are recommended to weigh their vehicles and loads before beginning their route. Commercial scales are available at most truck stops, and weights can be obtained for a fee of between $7 and $12.
- Drive to the nearest truck stop with a certified scale.
- Approach the weigh platform, but stop before pulling up on it.
- Notify the weigh operator you need to have your vehicle weighed. They will ask you for information pertaining to your company and for you to pull on to the scales to be weighed.
- When requested, pull forward onto the scale. It is important all tires are on the scale.
- Your weight will be recorded. The scale operator will stamp the ticket with each of your truck's axle weights.The steer axle, drive axle and tandem axles will be weighed at the same time.
- The axle weights will be totaled to give you a gross vehicle weight. The vehicle cannot have a gross weight of over 80,000 pounds, even when loaded. If it does, you are in violation of Department of Transportation regulations, unless your company has obtained a special overload permit for the specific load you are hauling.
- Pull your vehicle off of the scale.
- Pick up your certified weight ticket from the scale operator. The scale ticket will be stamped "certified." This authenticates the weight recorded on your ticket is the correct weight. By using a certified scale, this helps to guarantee the scales are properly calibrated, and the weight recorded on your ticket is correct.