Weigh Stations in 2025 - Everything You Need to Know

Weigh stations are essential checkpoints in the U.S. trucking infrastructure, ensuring that commercial vehicles operate safely, legally, and efficiently. These stations help maintain road conditions, enforce weight limits, conduct safety inspections, and verify compliance with state and federal regulations.

Here’s everything CDL drivers need to know about weigh stations and their role in modern trucking.

What Are Weigh Stations For?

Weigh stations perform several vital functions to maintain safe and compliant transportation:

• Weight Verification – Ensures trucks comply with the federal 80,000-pound gross vehicle weight limit and axle-specific weight restrictions.
• Safety Inspections – Checks brakes, tires, lights, and logbooks to enforce DOT safety standards.
• Tax and Fee Collection – Ensures commercial carriers pay the appropriate state and federal taxes based on weight.
• Hazardous Material Oversight – Verifies proper documentation and compliance for trucks carrying hazardous or sensitive cargo.

Modern Technology in Weigh Stations

Technology is making weigh stations faster and more efficient:

• Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) Scales – Allows trucks to be screened at highway speeds without stopping.
• Bypass Systems (PrePass, Drivewyze) – Enables compliant trucks to bypass weigh stations using RFID transponders or mobile apps.
• Digital Documentation Verification – Reduces wait times by electronically reviewing logbooks and freight paperwork.
• Real-Time Data Monitoring – Tracks truck weight and compliance across state lines.

Where Are Weigh Stations Located?

Weigh stations are strategically placed to regulate commercial traffic:

• Located along major highways and freight corridors to monitor high-volume routes.
• Often positioned at state borders for interstate weight compliance checks.
• Hours vary by location, with some stations operating 24/7 while others use dynamic hours based on traffic.
• Digital signage alerts truckers about station status (open/closed).

Weigh Station Compliance and Enforcement

Compliance at weigh stations is mandatory for most commercial vehicles exceeding 10,000 pounds. Failure to comply can lead to severe penalties:

• Fines for overweight violations can reach up to $65 per pound over the limit.
• Vehicles not in compliance may be placed out of service until corrected.
• Overweight trucks may be required to unload cargo to meet weight restrictions.
• Both state and federal laws apply, and failure to comply can affect a driver’s CSA score and CVSA safety rating.

Inspection Types and Procedures

• Level I Inspections – The most thorough, covering driver credentials, truck components, cargo securement, and HOS log verification.
• Level II Walk-Around Inspections – A slightly less detailed check without physically entering the vehicle.
• Level III Driver/Credential Inspections – Focuses on logbooks, medical certificates, and CDL verification.
• Level IV Special Inspections – Conducted for specific concerns such as hazardous materials compliance.

Mandatory Stopping Requirements

Most states require trucks over 10,000 pounds to stop at open weigh stations, though some states have lower or higher thresholds:

• Virginia requires trucks over 7,500 pounds to stop.
• Hawaii allows single axles up to 22,500 pounds, differing from the federal 20,000-pound limit.
• Michigan enforces a stricter axle weight limit of 18,000 pounds.
• Texas allows a 5% tolerance on the 80,000-pound federal gross vehicle weight limit.

Weight Limits and Regulations

The federal weight limits for commercial trucks are:

• 80,000 pounds maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW).
• 20,000 pounds per single axle.
• 34,000 pounds per tandem axle.

States can modify these limits for intrastate hauls, and certain states like Florida allow a 10% tolerance on axle weights. Overweight penalties are severe and include heavy fines and possible license suspensions.

Bypass Systems and Weigh Station Technologies

Weigh station bypass systems help streamline operations for compliant drivers:

• PrePass and Drivewyze use RFID transponders or mobile applications to allow trucks to bypass stations.
• Transponders offer 99.9% accuracy, while mobile apps depend on cellular connectivity.
• Each bypass saves an estimated $8.68 in fuel, labor, and equipment wear.
• Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) systems pre-screen trucks, reducing congestion at stations.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Skipping a required weigh station stop can result in:

• Fines exceeding $300, depending on the state.
• Mandatory DOT inspections and possible truck impoundment.
• CSA score penalties, impacting a driver’s safety rating.
• Employment consequences, including termination for repeat violations.

Load Distribution Best Practices

Proper weight distribution prevents safety violations and accidents:

• Place heavier cargo closer to the floor for stability.
• Balance loads evenly across axles to comply with weight restrictions.
• Use securement devices (load bars, straps) to prevent shifting