Can the dot force you to a scale?

I've had it happen to me. The dot guy was standing on an off ramp stopped 4 of us. I was 3rd in line he sent other 3 down a gravel road to the scale, climbed up on my dump trailer to verify I was empty and sent me off on my way.

 

Well, while we're at it, in the 80's, there used to be a scale westbound I-90, just south of Madison. I was a local joe, been over it many times, I was empty, roll over the platform, BAM, red light. Now what? The lady cop inside, who hated truck drivers, for other reasons we won't go into here, says, "park around back, bring in reg") I go in, she says, "you have no markings on the door". I said politely, "sorry, but I do" ( company truck) She checked my papers, said, "bring it around again", I did, I could see her face, she says, ( and get this) "it wasn't there before, take it away, driver" ,,,,( like I lettered the truck in the parking lot, idiot)

 

There's service roads behind scale houses and if that scale house is open the dot does keep an eye on the service road.You go ahead and try and dodge a scale and tell the dot to go fly a kite and see how far that gets you.

 

Oh really? How do you know?

 

Because I picked up a load in MO on a service road at the end of that service road sign said to scale.Besides I have asked a few exp drivers.Of course is one doesn't think they'll get fined more power to them look up the law to make sure.You can go the opposite direction and take the scenic route around the scale but why bother

 

iv had it happen a few times, get pulled over by a dot bear, they eaither say you look like you may be heavy or we are just checking weights today ect, we have a scale at xxxxxx location (typically within a mile of where they stop you) then they will have you go to the scale and weight, iv never seen any reason not to comply

 

Because it makes absolutely no sense to roll up to the coops, only to bend over & grab your ankles HOPING to slip by unscathed.

If you want me, you've got to catch me...not going to roll up to where I know you're waiting for me. Plenty of roads that are legal to run that DON'T have scales...often times shaving miles off the trip if you plan the entire route based upon eliminating scale crossings. What gets guys in trouble is exiting off at the ramp just prior to the scale and jumping back on at the ramp immediately after. Now they know you're intentionally dodging them, rather than just making your run.

 

Still better odds then just rolling in waving your white flag. But yeah that's only when you're "surprised" they're open.

 

unless i know 100% i am legal i will go around the coops, most around here most are never open anyway most enforcement is done random roadside. try to keep everything legal anyway

 

I got pulled over in Will county for that very reason. DOT thought the tires looked a little loaded. I told him the load was light, and I just gauge checked the tires before I started that day. He pulled out the scales, and sure enough, I was right on the weight. He then believed me about the pressure.