Technically tho u can inform them you're on your safety sleep break lol. They're not supposed to interrupt your break as doing an inspection would put you on duty right???
It varies by state. Generally, the more crowded the area/state the more likely it's prohibited. "If you need it, you can't do it."
in 30 yrs, the only places I've been bothered is NY ,PA VA,in rest areas. do the KY scales all the time . the safe haven signs and separate rest rooms encourage stopping. they've never bother me. NC scales ,if you pull out of the way , you should be good. never had a ticket in them either. some people just are phobic about LEO's. another thing about sleeping with the bears. no worries. no lot lizards,pan handlers,ect.
I spent the night at a scale in Maryland. Got no hassle from DOT. Also spent the night at the TN 65 NB scale. If you do spend the night, do a super thorough pre trip, since those lots are under surveillance.
Everyone is going to be paranoid over the potential of an inspection etc etc. i run the midwest and havent been haggled the nights I had to park. One evening i was running a 12’ W oversize and wasnt going to make the stop ahead so had to dive into the scale. It was closed but opened up right after i shut down. Walked in and asked them if i needed to move to a certain spot to get out of the way as it was getting full around back. Scalemaster said i was good to go but i still nosed along the back side into a corner to stay out of the way. I will say it is hilarious to hear them over the PA to tell the guys who are empty that still have their oversize banners out to roll them up. Scalemaster was rather comical about it to.
Bears hibernate... If I stayed still that long I would have to be retrained...no sleeping with the bears!!!
Just remember too that states like Tennessee nail you for sleeping on the exit ramps. I see it on I40 almost daily, troopers writing tickets to drivers taking there 10 hr break on the ramp.
Funny you should ask.... North bound scale on I 35 in Oklahoma.... scale was closed because awrecker was trying to straighten out a FedEx pup that was on it's side right in front of the weigh masters window.... hard to sneak by the coop when you roll your trailer over... making too much noise!!!
It will put you on duty yes. Nothing illegal about that as long as you don't drive. The crappy thing is you have to restart your 10 after you go back to the sb.