Maryland State Police reply to stopping at weigh stations

[padcarroll]

An RV friend of mine wrote directly to Maryland State Police for a direct reply to this issue.

Date: Fri, Jun 3, 2016 at 3:48 PM
Subject: Weigh station question
To: msp.cved@maryland.gov

Hi, thanks for your service.

I have a question regarding who is required to stop at the weigh stations. My belief is that it is for commercial vehicles only. However, the signs now say all vehicles over 5T, and there is a rumor floating around the recreational vehicle community that any RV over 5T must also go through the scales. This, of course, would be a very large number of Class A motorhomes and a fair amount of 5th wheelers.



Could set the record straight please.



Thanks,

On Mon, Jun 6, 2016 at 2:32 PM, MSP CVED -State Police- <msp.cved@maryland.gov> wrote:

From: Kyle Donaldson -State Police- [mailto:kyle.donaldson@maryland.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, June 7, 2016 9:17 AM
Subject: Re: Weigh station question



Good Morning Mr X;

Thank you for reaching out to the Maryland State Police to have this cleared of any misunderstanding. Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules and regulations all Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV) over 5T GVWR would be required to enter the scale house. Maryland legislation has adopted these rules and regulations which can be found under Title 25 section 111. Signage along the highway systems marking the scale facilities as open and directing those vehicles in for random inspections is regulated by the Maryland State Highway Administration. I can not elaborate on this area further as the signs have been posted in accordance to those regulations. It is safe to say here in Maryland no RV's or vehicles even when over the 5T GVWR would have to enter the facility unless engaged in commercial enterprises.

Feel free to forward this email to those who wish to have it for their records.

Travel safe, camp free and enjoy the company of family and friends

Corporal Kyle Donaldson #5015
Duty Officer / Cadet Fitness Coordinator
Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division
6855 Deerpath Road, Ste. G
Elkridge, MD 21075
Phone: 410-579-5950
Fax: 410-796-0431

[Martsing]

That is HUGE. Thank you for taking the initiative on this and what a great polite response.

Marty

[Teamfour]

Thanks for doing the leg work on getting this information.

[lbrjet]

Many states have the same type of sign. 'Commercial' is implied as I found out on my first trip back in 2011. I stopped and was harshly scolded by the scale operator. Won't ever make that mistake again.


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

[BobandDonna]

In Florida I stopped in a weigh station to ask that question and was told no I didn't have to go through the weigh stations. Did the same thing in Maryland and was told I had to go through the weigh station. At the time I was pulling a 5er with a Volvo semi. I explained at both stations that it was a non-commercial semi, a RV Hauler. FYI, at both stations the officers were both nasty that I would take their time up with such a stupid question. The one in Maryland asked me if I could read.

[MilCop4523]

in Canada (NB) we have idiots that work weights and measures that can and will pull over travel trailers and 5th wheels and order you into the scales escorted. apparently they think everyone is pulling 11,000 and 16,000 gigantic trailers with 6 cylinder trucks.
they will ground anyone they think is close to that limit.

[doc73]

Originally Posted by MilCop4523

in Canada (NB) we have idiots that work weights and measures that can and will pull over travel trailers and 5th wheels and order you into the scales escorted. apparently they think everyone is pulling 11,000 and 16,000 gigantic trailers with 6 cylinder trucks.
they will ground anyone they think is close to that limit.

Sometimes I wish they would do that here as well...

As the popularity of the RVing continues to grow I see this becoming rule as well here. Really what it will take is the congress to realize the best way to make more money from it or major crashes occurring before "safety" regulations kicks in. Technically here ti can be done to any vehicle not just commercial (putting the vehicle on scales if suspected over weight).

[Mac 57]

Thank you for the information, always good to know.

[rmac04401]

VA stations state "No passenger vehicles allowed". At least VA is clear in signage!

[doc73]

Originally Posted by rmac04401

VA stations state "No passenger vehicles allowed". At least VA is clear in signage!

And they do get bent when you enter them...

[ependydad]

Interesting response - it's not the same as what I was told back in August 2013.

Here's what I asked:

Originally Posted by My Request

Hello there -

I'm just a private individual/non-commercial. I have bought a Ram 3500 dually that has a GVWR of 12,300 pounds. I also bought a fifth wheel camper with a GVWR of 12,000 pounds.

As I drive down the highway, I pass the weigh stations and see the signs that say- "All vehicles over 5T GVWR must stop". Rightly or wrongly, to date- I haven't stopped at any of them.

By my figuring, even in my truck alone with the 12,300 GVWR, I'm supposed to stop at these. And, when towing the camper, I'm supposed to stop.

Can you help point me in the direction of the regulations that cover this? Are there exemptions for non-commercial folks or people pulling campers?

Thanks.

And their response:

Originally Posted by Maryland State Highway Administration

You are correct, you would be required to enter. Although you are driving a RV for non-business use and are exempted from the commercial regulations, you must still enter the scale house with your vehicle as required by the signs “All vehicles over 5T GVWR/GCWR must enter” The reason being, if you use an RV for business (such as transporting a musical band that receives compensation ) all regulations would apply at that point, but the only way an inspector would know, is if you would make yourself available for interaction with the facility staff.

More than likely you will be flagged on through when you enter without ever having to stop, however the signs require you enter.

If signs on the approach to a scale house in other states indicate “ALL COMMERCIAL VEHICLES MUST ENTER” then you could confidently go by without entering. In Maryland however the signs do indicate “ALL VEHICLES…”

Hope this helps

Duane W. Pearce
Maryland State Highway Administration
Motor Carrier Division
CVISN Program
Data, Education & Compliance
Manager
410-582-5719
800-543-4564
443-506-1079
dpearce@sha.state.md.us

[doc73]

I was thinking the same think E-dad. Maybe they smartened up?

But wasn't it a few weeks ago someone got pinched on here for not stopping but got "a warning" by the trooper.. WHY CAN'T THIS JUST BE EASY! LOL

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by doc73

I was thinking the same think E-dad. Maybe they smartened up?

But wasn't it a few weeks ago someone got pinched on here for not stopping but got "a warning" by the trooper.. WHY CAN'T THIS JUST BE EASY! LOL

Yep, I thought about that guy as I passed 3 different weigh stations in MD yesterday.

[doc73]

Same on my way to DC two weeks ago! LOL

If I am over weight I got issues, but they are more then welcome to chase me down..

[rmac04401]

Well one response was from Maryland state police and one was from Maryland highway administration. Two different organizations. That's why big confusion.

That would be like PennDOT saying one thing and PSP saying something else typical right hand not knowing what left hand is doing.

[doc73]

Ah.. Missed that. I guess since MSP is the one enforcing I'd go with their response?

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[Goat Man]

Just drive until told otherwise. I did go through Maryland about a year and a half ago, but it was on Sunday and they were closed. The signs were a little confusing though. I would have probably been watching my mirrors a little closer.

[wanderingbob]

Not to be confused with an AG station, only fifty different rules apply .

[bareftn]

Originally Posted by BobandDonna

In Florida I stopped in a weigh station to ask that question and was told no I didn't have to go through the weigh stations. Did the same thing in Maryland and was told I had to go through the weigh station. At the time I was pulling a 5er with a Volvo semi. I explained at both stations that it was a non-commercial semi, a RV Hauler. FYI, at both stations the officers were both nasty that I would take their time up with such a stupid question. The one in Maryland asked me if I could read.

If you pull with a Volvo or any large truck I would have posted some place on the side of the truck not for hire and private coach

[BobandDonna]

I had a "Private Coach Not for Hire" on the side. The station was the one on Rte 1 across the Conowingo bridge.