An Introduction to Weigh Stations

Weigh stations are an important part of every truck driver’s job. They are usually located near state borders, where they are called ports of entry, and at several points along the highway within each state. Weigh stations allow state governments to enforce taxation and safety regulations, as well as provide an opportunity to go over required paperwork. Undergoing these inspections is compulsory.

Running a trucking company carries a large number of legal, safety, and financial issues that must be taken care of. If you are interested in having your accounting burdens lightened a little, TBS Factoring Service, LLC may be able to help. Call our freight factoring agents at 1-800-207-7661.

The Purpose of Weigh Stations

Each weigh station will have a large scale for weighing trucks, as you would expect. At the same time, government workers may want to inspect the vehicle and its contents, as well as ask the driver for certain documents. These government workers are there to:

• Ensure that the truck complies with freight weight maximums for that state
• Inspect the vehicle for malfunctioning equipment or other hazards
• Review the driver’s daily logs to make sure he or she is following Hours of Service laws
• Determine the freight’s total weight for tax purposes

While this can be a hassle, some areas have implemented a new technology called electronic weigh station bypass. This allows a truck with the right equipment installed to be automatically weighed as it passes a special type of sensor. If its weight is acceptable, the driver may be allowed to drive on without pulling over. If not, a light mounted farther down the road will flash red, signaling him or her to pull over.

Drivers with reliable records are more likely to be “green lighted.” However, if your drivers have a history of avoiding weigh stations or violating other regulations, they will likely be pulled over a significant portion of the time. Making sure your drivers understand the importance of weigh stations and are following the correct protocol can save you money and a lot of hassle.

Contact a Truck Factoring Service

Truck factoring is a business arrangement that allows you to receive 80 – 90% of your business debts up front, not weeks or months down the road. To learn more, contact TBS Factoring Service, LLC at 1-800-207-7661.