Scale Ettiquette

Wyoming checks Registration and IFTA most times. If they ask for more it is because you have screwed something up. Colorado has a system where they store your registration, insurance and IFTA info by your VIN. You generally only have to go in once a year in CO if your VIN is posted on your truck.

 

True about CO. After first trip through with my new truck, I always got a green light. I only got pulled onto the scale in Wyoming at Evanston once, and I was 25k under gross. If I never drive a truck in Oregon or Washington again, it will be too soon. Well, New York pretty much sucked as well, especially running 84.

 

I drive local so I'm not sure how other states are but in Southern CA most of the time there's a big display screen that'll say something like: "ALL TRUCKS MUST STOP AT SCALES" or if the scale is full and backing up into traffic lanes it'll say "SCALES CLOSED DO NOT ENTER". The left lane is the empty lane and the right lane is usually loaded. Watch for the light signals and like the dude above said, keep windows down and radio off to listen for commands. Oh, and let the people pulling back onto the scale from the inspection area go ahead of you. My FIRST time through a scale (Peralta scales, 91 East in Anaheim, CA I got a ticket for "failing to obey a traffic signal". I didn't pay attention to the green arrow to turn in for inspection and couldn't hear them call for me over the loudspeaker because my radio was too loud. I told the citing officer that I was a newb to the industry but he said he makes no exceptions for commercial vehicles as we're supposed to be professional and attentive at all times. Fair enough.

 

14 year LE vet here too and making the career change. Had enough of the BS and am going to give trucking a try.

 

With all these pages i didn't read, im sure its answered but i'll reply in case it wasn't.

If no red light, keep rolling and dont stop. Keep bellow 5mph until off the scale. be ready to stop smoothly but quickly if the light changes to red.

Int he first scenario, the tank truck prob had a violation so weather u were over or no they were passing you through while they dealt with him.

second scenario, if no red light then keep moving but prepare to stop if that changes.

If there is no room on ramp and you feel it is unsafe to stop, then dont, regardless of what the signs say. If you get pulled over dont say "it was full so i bypassed it". Say "It was full and I felt it was unsafe to stop on the highway". If there is a wide shoulder and no bypass sign, you can stop in shoulder and form the line there. in most cases if they have a full line no one is going to pull you over for bypassing with or without a sign, although they do have the right to without a sign.

 

Don't you get a pension at 20 years? If I was in your shoes I would do everything possible to reach that mark. Seeing as you have done so much already.

Get that 20 years and then add to your pension with all the joys of trucking! hehehehee Joking and not. Trucking has highs and lows, just like, I assume, so did, does, LE. Without all the glory of being a hero. Though rarely recognized by the public as such... referring to LE.

Mikeeee

 

If you do an Ooops I just pass the entrance to the Scales and it open and not full, Pull over and walk your paper work in and they will either look at your paper work or have you go turn around an come back.

I seen that happen once in NC on I 40 west of Ashville scales. They just looked at the guys bills and permit book and he was on his way.

 

I still get a lifetime benefit at 55 should I choose to take it, but obviously it won't be as much as it would have been had I stayed. I can leave my pension in the state retirement fund or roll it over too. I wouldn't of made six more years. I'm totally burned out. I don't want to be one of those guys.