Information on Weigh Stations/Truck Scales
If you are a frequent Sacramento area commuter, you likely pass by the Antelope Truck Scales regularly. Maybe you have wondered about them as you have witnessed a line of semi-trucks passing through the scales. We were also curious about them, so we rounded up some facts about highway truck scales.
The truck scale stops in California are formerly known as Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facilities but are more commonly referred to as truck scales or weigh stations. Caltrans receives many inquiries about truck scales, but that agency is not in charge of the facilities – instead, the trucks are managed by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Watch the YouTube video: Below is a video created by a truck driver outlining tips for stopping at the scales.
Who is Required to Stop at the Scales?
Section 2813 of the California Vehicle Code lists who must stop at inspection and weigh stations. It states that every commercial vehicle driver must stop and allow inspection of their vehicle’s weight, size, emissions, and equipment at any location where the CHP is conducting inspections and tests of commercial vehicles. The weigh stations have signs notifying drivers when trucks must stop. It is a misdemeanor for a driver to refuse or fail to stop and submit their truck to inspection when the signs requiring a stop are displayed.
The definition of a “commercial vehicle” is provided by Section 260 of the California Vehicle Code as a motor vehicle of a type that is used or maintained for the transportation of hired persons, for compensation, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property. Such a vehicle is required to be registered as a commercial vehicle. A passenger vehicle not used for those purposes is not a commercial vehicle, nor is a vehicle used for vanpool purposes.
Section 410 of the California Vehicle Code defines a “motor truck” as a vehicle used, designed, or maintained primarily for property transport. Section 471 defines a pickup truck as having an open box-type bed that does not exceed 9 feet in length, having a gross vehicle weight of fewer than 11,500 pounds, and an unladen weight of fewer than 8,001 pounds. Whether a pickup truck has to stop at the scales depends on those factors. If the pickup’s gross vehicle weight is heavier than 11,500 pounds, the unladen weight is heavier than 8,001 pounds, or the truck has a bed other than an open box type, it must stop.
Information about other types of vehicles:
- A pickup with a camper shell does not have to stop at the scales except under certain conditions, which can be verified with the California Highway Patrol Commercial Vehicle Section.
- A pickup with a cab/crew cab with a box-type bed or utility bed does have to enter the weigh station.
- Rental trucks are required to stop at weigh stations. This includes those trucks rented by Ryder, U-Haul, Sears, Budget, etc. Most of the weigh stations display a sign that makes this clear to drivers of rental trucks. If the rental truck meets the definition of a pickup, it does not have to stop. It needs to stop if it is a utility bed or flatbed.
- Whether a cargo van needs to go through the scales depends on the use of the vehicle and its load. Cargo vans are technically defined by the Vehicle Code as motor trucks, so drivers should stop at weigh stations to be safe.
For further information about whether a vehicle you are operating must stop at a weigh station, call the California Highway Patrol Commercial Vehicle Section at (916) 843-3400, or you can contact the individual weigh stations directly.
Antelope Truck Accident Lawyer
Hello, and thanks for reading. My name is Ed Smith, and I have nearly 40 years of experience as an Antelope truck accident lawyer. Accidents involving semi-trucks and trailers can be devastating and cause catastrophic injuries given the size and weight of commercial vehicles. If you have questions regarding an automobile accident, I am happy to offer free and friendly advice. My local and toll-free phone numbers are (916) 921-6400 and (800) 404-5400, respectively. I can also be contacted online.
To read reviews of my legal services written by past clients and to see some of my firm’s case results, please visit the following links:
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