5 Tips For Passing Your Next Weigh Station Inspection

Weigh stations are a necessary part of the trucking industry. They help ensure that your truck doesn’t exceed 80,000 pounds in weight and is operating within the federal and state safety limits. Weigh station inspections can be a frustrating experience, but there are ways to pass them without spending more time than necessary. By following these 5 tips, you can make the next weigh station inspection a breeze.

1. Know Your Weight Limits

Weigh stations are designed to ensure that the truck you’re driving is not exceeding its weight limit, which can cause damage to roads and bridges. Additionally, they’re used to check logbooks and electronic logging devices (ELDs) to ensure that the driver is following hours-of-service regulations. However, weigh stations aren’t always easy to pass. In fact, many drivers find them a hassle, and they can even put their safety ratings in jeopardy. This is why it’s important to know your limits and be prepared before your next weigh station stop. Save yourself the headache and avoid unnecessary fines.

2. Be Prepared

Being pulled over for a weigh station inspection is not fun, but it’s an essential part of highway safety. When you’re prepared for your inspection, it can be a smooth and efficient process that gets you back on the road sooner than it would otherwise. Ensure that your truck is in good working order and you have all of your logs and paperwork ready to go at the weigh station. Failure to do so could result in a more comprehensive inspection that could take longer than it should.

3. Be Polite

If you’re going to pass your next weigh station inspection, you need to be courteous and respectful. This will go a long way towards speeding the inspection process up and making sure it goes as smoothly as possible for all involved. For starters, make sure you follow all directions given by the weigh station staff and road side inspectors. This includes obeying speed limits and following instructions that relate to stopping and slowing down. Drivers should also be polite and courteous to the DOT officers at the weigh station. Getting into an argument with them can delay the entire process and make it more difficult for everyone involved.

4. Be Respectful

Weigh stations are set up across the country to check federal and state restrictions related to size, weight, and safety of trucks. While passing a weigh station, drivers will be inspected for weight, as well as any other mechanical problems that might cause the truck to be out of service. Common malfunctions include low tire tread, broken springs, oil leaks, brake malfunctions, cracked wheels or rims, unlocked kingpins and fuel or anti-freeze leaks. The Department of Transportation (DOT) authorizes these stops and employs its own inspection officers to monitor the fleet for violations. Similarly, law enforcement officers have the right to stop and submit any vehicle that they believe is not in compliance with these restrictions.

5. Inspect Your Truck And Load Beforehand

There is no better way to ensure your next weigh station inspection goes as smoothly as possible than to do the prep work ahead of time. Make sure your CDL and truck registration are up-to-date, as well as that all the details about your load are properly documented. These items should be organized and easy to find when the officer or inspector asks for them. It’s also a good idea to double check that your cab and trailer are in good working order. Having any small issues corrected before entering the weigh station can prevent a failure to pass that can lead to lengthy delays.