Scales???
- Thread starter Doyle440
- Start date
Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa and any Port of Entry. No longer required in Kentucky since they joined IFTA.
Just because the sign says commercial vehicles and/or trucks enter scales, doesn't necessarily mean cargo vans. My State of Missouri defines a comm'l vehicle as anything with GVWR or registered weight at 12,001 or more. Other States, like Iowa and Wisconsin display the weights, that must enter the scales, on the roadside signs.
Rather than take as gospel anything that is said here, I recommend you visit the scale house in a State of which you are unsure and ask the officers in there what they consider to be requirement for your van. That way you'll know for sure.
Just because the sign says commercial vehicles and/or trucks enter scales, doesn't necessarily mean cargo vans. My State of Missouri defines a comm'l vehicle as anything with GVWR or registered weight at 12,001 or more. Other States, like Iowa and Wisconsin display the weights, that must enter the scales, on the roadside signs.
Rather than take as gospel anything that is said here, I recommend you visit the scale house in a State of which you are unsure and ask the officers in there what they consider to be requirement for your van. That way you'll know for sure.
nightcreacher
Veteran Expediter
any scale that says all commercial vehicles must enter
As Terry pointed out, it depends on the states definition of a commercial vehicle. If they go by the federal definition, crossing wouldn't be required. Personally, I haven't crossed any scale in over 7 months. I think the vast majority of officers working in the scales don't want to be bothered with us. Haven't been chased down yet.
Iowa is now 10,000#. And I believe Wisconsin is also. I have never stopped at either unless I had placcards and/or was escorted to the scale. And I drive through Wisconsin alot!
A few weeks ago I stopped at a Montana Port of Entry/Scale and got pulled around back. I thought great, what brought this on. I only had about 1800# on. Scale guy came out, that's right he came out to me to say there was no need to scale unless I was over 16,000 or maybe it was 18,000# Very friendly and even sent me on my way with a "have a nice day and be safe".
A few weeks ago I stopped at a Montana Port of Entry/Scale and got pulled around back. I thought great, what brought this on. I only had about 1800# on. Scale guy came out, that's right he came out to me to say there was no need to scale unless I was over 16,000 or maybe it was 18,000# Very friendly and even sent me on my way with a "have a nice day and be safe".
I have been driving a 3500 cargo van for four years thru about 30 midwestern and southern states. No decals and no numbers displayed and never been pulled over. My GVWR is 9650 lbs, and I adhere to that carefully. As far as I know the only state that is enforcing scales for this type of vehicle is Michigan and only for vans plated in MI.
Any van 10,000 pounds or under not hauling hazmat is not required to have any numbers or names on it. Not really sure about hazmat requiring company names but DOT numbers are not given to vans 10,000 pounds or under. Now I will ask, why all the numbers and names all over vans leased to some carriers?
Because the companies require it.
Fr8 Shaker
Veteran Expediter
Advertising !!
> Okay, I will ask, why no decals or numbers?
Jim and Karin,
You got your answer, I believe, but I have restrictions by my condo association,...."no commercial vehicles may be parked on common property or driveway." .........so it saves me having to park my cargo off premises.
I am in this business because it affords me a good retirement living and not because I want to adhere to rules and restrictions. I hate having to think about logs, HOS rules, parking restrictions and paperwork of any kind. This business was built around the cargo van 20+ years ago and still affords an opportunity to be "free" of all those restrictions.
Besides, I would put my numbers up for comparison with any other solo o/o's numbers.........."BE SMART, DRIVE SAFE, AND KEEP A GOOD SHARE OF YOUR REVENUES".......IS MY MOTTO FOR NOW!
B Unit 3+ years expediting; 43 years working to pay taxes; finally working smart!
Jim and Karin,
You got your answer, I believe, but I have restrictions by my condo association,...."no commercial vehicles may be parked on common property or driveway." .........so it saves me having to park my cargo off premises.
I am in this business because it affords me a good retirement living and not because I want to adhere to rules and restrictions. I hate having to think about logs, HOS rules, parking restrictions and paperwork of any kind. This business was built around the cargo van 20+ years ago and still affords an opportunity to be "free" of all those restrictions.
Besides, I would put my numbers up for comparison with any other solo o/o's numbers.........."BE SMART, DRIVE SAFE, AND KEEP A GOOD SHARE OF YOUR REVENUES".......IS MY MOTTO FOR NOW!
B Unit 3+ years expediting; 43 years working to pay taxes; finally working smart!
greg334
Veteran Expediter
Scaling in Michigan is for ALL vans over 6500 lbs GVW (someone correct me if I am wrong on that number) that are used commercially. They came up with this change in 2005 and it hit us in January. Well documented thing.
Many of the scale house people will say don't worry about it, a few will tell you not to scale but it takes one guy (or gal) having a bad day to take it out on you by giving you a citation for blowing by a scale in Michigan. I understand that there may be a movement to add some points and increase the fine in 2008 to something like $1000 minimal.
The regulation from what I have read is that all vehicles running interstate require the DOT numbers to be displayed in the state of Michigan - vans are not exempt, the same with hotshot pickups (I really wish that these pickups also had the sleeper rules enforced). I know of a few troopers that would put you out of service if they caught you running without proper numbers because of the assumption that you are running illegally.
Several states now require intrastate vehicles to have DOT numbers and display them, regardless what GVW they are at. I seen several light duty pickup trucks running around in different states with DOT numbers on them, I think NY was the latest. This ensures one thing is covered, insurance.
I guess this is all a pet peeve with me, the regulations are clear about displaying numbers and many states are clear about scaling vans. I try hard to play by the rules and for some reason I have to deal with people who seem to get away with things by using lame excuses like the HOA won't let me park it at my home (don't take this personal rollo, I hear this all the time). It is their problem if they can’t park it in their drive way and the regulations are not circumvented because someone chooses to live in a commune or in a HOA prison.
Many of the scale house people will say don't worry about it, a few will tell you not to scale but it takes one guy (or gal) having a bad day to take it out on you by giving you a citation for blowing by a scale in Michigan. I understand that there may be a movement to add some points and increase the fine in 2008 to something like $1000 minimal.
The regulation from what I have read is that all vehicles running interstate require the DOT numbers to be displayed in the state of Michigan - vans are not exempt, the same with hotshot pickups (I really wish that these pickups also had the sleeper rules enforced). I know of a few troopers that would put you out of service if they caught you running without proper numbers because of the assumption that you are running illegally.
Several states now require intrastate vehicles to have DOT numbers and display them, regardless what GVW they are at. I seen several light duty pickup trucks running around in different states with DOT numbers on them, I think NY was the latest. This ensures one thing is covered, insurance.
I guess this is all a pet peeve with me, the regulations are clear about displaying numbers and many states are clear about scaling vans. I try hard to play by the rules and for some reason I have to deal with people who seem to get away with things by using lame excuses like the HOA won't let me park it at my home (don't take this personal rollo, I hear this all the time). It is their problem if they can’t park it in their drive way and the regulations are not circumvented because someone chooses to live in a commune or in a HOA prison.
Rollo:
Greg's comments above have been rehashed here many times last year and all of them have proven accurate. With regards to your Home Owners Assn, How do they define commercial vehicle? How does your State define commercial vehicle? Does your carrier require the DOT numbers be displayed?
My HOA says no commercial vehicles, but my State says a commercial vehicle is 12001 or greater so although I use the vehicle commercially, it's not a commercial vehicle for the purposes of our HOA. How about all the salesmen in your condo complex driving company cars? Perhaps your Association doesn't want commercial looking vehicles but commercial vehicles are OK. Just taking off the DOT numbers won't change your status, just the perception of your status.
We wish you continued enjoyment in your retirement and in expediting.
Greg's comments above have been rehashed here many times last year and all of them have proven accurate. With regards to your Home Owners Assn, How do they define commercial vehicle? How does your State define commercial vehicle? Does your carrier require the DOT numbers be displayed?
My HOA says no commercial vehicles, but my State says a commercial vehicle is 12001 or greater so although I use the vehicle commercially, it's not a commercial vehicle for the purposes of our HOA. How about all the salesmen in your condo complex driving company cars? Perhaps your Association doesn't want commercial looking vehicles but commercial vehicles are OK. Just taking off the DOT numbers won't change your status, just the perception of your status.
We wish you continued enjoyment in your retirement and in expediting.
A dot number is not required or issued to vans 10,000 pounds or under. Michigan may require the company name but how can they require a dot number that you do not have? I have my own authority for 10.000 pounds and under and no dot number. My van has no names or numbers and it is completly legal that way.
RE: Scales??? = COMMERCIAL VEHICLES
Worded precisely. Size doesn't matter in this situation (pun).
Big motor homes 50 feet long can sail on by, but if you are driving a little Nissan short bed pickup truck with a topper that is carrying "hazmat", that is offically a commercial vehicle, must have a DOT#, and the driver must have a CDL with hazmat endorsment, or else the penalty and fines start a'coming fast and furious.
An unmarked little pickup might make it pass the scale house, but if it was placarded like it was supposed to, and had a commercial name with a DOT number on the doors, and didn't come in - well, we all know the resulting ending scenario on that one.
I can bring that one down even one notch lower. Try a litter subcompact car making a courier delivery of medical hazmat materials; such as radioisotopes or lab specimens. Thats a DOT certified commercial vehicle requiring placarding - and from my point of view, correct me if I am wrong, goes right into that scale house as well.
Each state is different, and runs by their own set of rules. Staying down here in FLorida for the past 10 years, I can only rely on FLorida law. Each scale house is operated by individuals who all have their own opinion of (themselves) and how they should operate their little empire. I call it "roadside justice".
On the side of the road, he who has the gun wins, might makes right.
Only after the fact, in a court of law, can certain travesties (transvestites?)of justice be amended.
Worded precisely. Size doesn't matter in this situation (pun).
Big motor homes 50 feet long can sail on by, but if you are driving a little Nissan short bed pickup truck with a topper that is carrying "hazmat", that is offically a commercial vehicle, must have a DOT#, and the driver must have a CDL with hazmat endorsment, or else the penalty and fines start a'coming fast and furious.
An unmarked little pickup might make it pass the scale house, but if it was placarded like it was supposed to, and had a commercial name with a DOT number on the doors, and didn't come in - well, we all know the resulting ending scenario on that one.
I can bring that one down even one notch lower. Try a litter subcompact car making a courier delivery of medical hazmat materials; such as radioisotopes or lab specimens. Thats a DOT certified commercial vehicle requiring placarding - and from my point of view, correct me if I am wrong, goes right into that scale house as well.
Each state is different, and runs by their own set of rules. Staying down here in FLorida for the past 10 years, I can only rely on FLorida law. Each scale house is operated by individuals who all have their own opinion of (themselves) and how they should operate their little empire. I call it "roadside justice".
On the side of the road, he who has the gun wins, might makes right.
Only after the fact, in a court of law, can certain travesties (transvestites?)of justice be amended.
