Must Stop at Maryland Weigh Stations

[CT3850]

Going north on I-95 through Maryland after going through the JFK toll plaza I was pulled over by MD trooper who asked why I had not stopped to be weighed (I was in my Ram 3500 DRW with a trailer in tow). I stated that I thought it was only required for commercial vehicles as stated on the AAA web site:

(The following vehicles must stop: (1) agricultural vehicles over 10,000 lbs.; (2) all commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs.; (3) commercial buses carrying over 16 passengers; (4) any hazardous material haulers requiring placards. - Source: Weigh Stations - AAA Digest of Motor Laws)

The trooper informed me that unlike Virginia, which only requires commercial vehicles in excess of 7,500 pounds to stop at weigh stations, in Maryland every vehicle (commercial or private) must stop if GVWR (not simply gross vehicle weight) is in excess of 10,000 pounds. After investigating my bona fides concerning personal not commercial transportation, the trooper sent me on my way with a warning.

[northstar1960]

Originally Posted by CT3850

Going north on I-95 through Maryland after going through the JFK toll plaza I was pulled over by MD trooper who asked why I had not stopped to be weighed (I was in my Ram 3500 DRW with a trailer in tow). I stated that I thought it was only required for commercial vehicles as stated on the AAA web site:

(The following vehicles must stop: (1) agricultural vehicles over 10,000 lbs.; (2) all commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs.; (3) commercial buses carrying over 16 passengers; (4) any hazardous material haulers requiring placards. - Source: Weigh Stations - AAA Digest of Motor Laws)

The trooper informed me that unlike Virginia, which only requires commercial vehicles in excess of 7,500 pounds to stop at weigh stations, in Maryland every vehicle (commercial or private) must stop if GVWR (not simply gross vehicle weight) is in excess of 10,000 pounds. After investigating my bona fides concerning personal not commercial transportation, the trooper sent me on my way with a warning.

Sucks to be in Maryland ! it must be one of the only states that require that

[CT3850]

The AAA site is wrong/misleading. I called the MD state police and read the AAA weight station requirement for Maryland: the officer said that they would be calling AAA to request a correction. I also called the Virginia state police. They confirmed that weighing requirement only applied to commercial vehicles and that no personal vehicles needed to be weighed.

[DaGrinch]

Originally Posted by northstar1960

Sucks to be in Maryland ! it must be one of the only states that require that

Yes, it does suck to be in Maryland. In more way that one! But, I won't go into that right now.

Never heard of a private camper combo having to be weighed. I work with several retired troopers, a couple used to be in the CVED (Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division) and just posed that question to one of them. His reply was, "No, a private camper does not need to be weighed. Must have been one of those young troopers."

On another note, I traveled by the scales on Big Savage Mountain several times pulling my TT and not once did I ever get pulled over for by-passing the scales.

I think I would have to agree with my co-worker.... young trooper.

[DaGrinch]

Originally Posted by CT3850

The AAA site is wrong/misleading. I called the MD state police and read the AAA weight station requirement for Maryland: the officer said that they would be calling AAA to request a correction. I also called the Virginia state police. They confirmed that weighing requirement only applied to commercial vehicles and that no personal vehicles needed to be weighed.

I'd be interested in knowing who and where you called. If you would PM me, maybe my contacts can find out what is going on.

[Martsing]

So, the way I read that, for Maryland, if I am a Ford F150 towing a 7500lb trailer I do not have to stop.

Am I reading that wrong?

Marty

[DaGrinch]

Originally Posted by Martsing

So, the way I read that, for Maryland, if I am a Ford F150 towing a 7500lb trailer I do not have to stop.

Am I reading that wrong?

Marty

I'd say you're good to go.

But, I'm not MSP. Sounds to me like different areas might be enforcing differently.

[CT3850]

I do not recall the name or title since I was transferred several times. I started with the following from the MD web site and called the number below:

Truck Weigh & Inspection Operations

The Motor Carrier Division (MCD), in cooperation with the Maryland State Police (MSP) Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVED), the Maryland Transportation Authority Police (MdTAP) Commercial Vehicle Safety Unit (CVSU) and allied law enforcement agencies certified to enforce motor carrier law is responsible for the safe movement of commercial motor vehicles (CMV) along Maryland highways. The MSP and MdTAP operate 13 TWIS with permanent scales and 4 additional Stations that utilize portable scales to check CMV's for compliance with state and federal safety as well as size and weight requirements. Seven (7) of these sites utilize weigh-in-motion (WIM) devices to pre-screen for weight violations. Additional electronic screening for CMV credentialing (e.g. fuel tax, safety rating, etc.) is being deployed for increased efficiency and effectiveness in maintaining CMV safety. For further information on the Truck Weigh and Inspection Program, call the Motor Carrier Division, 7491 Connelley Drive, Hanover, Maryland 21076, Telephone 410-582-5734.

[ependydad]

I have communication with the Maryland State Highway Administration that confirmed what you found. You are supposed to adhere to the actual sign, e.g. "All Trucks Over 5T GVWR". Which means, that technically with just your truck alone since it's likely over 10,000 lbs.

To this day, I always thought it was a spirit of the law vs. the letter of the law. The letter of the law is you're supposed to pull in vs. the spirit of the law is that it's only for commercial drivers.

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
http://www.roads.maryland.gov

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Martsing

So, the way I read that, for Maryland, if I am a Ford F150 towing a 7500lb trailer I do not have to stop.

Am I reading that wrong?

Marty

I think that per the *letter* of the law, you're supposed to stop.

Not that I do (dually and 16,000 lb. trailer).

[Worksforus]

Originally Posted by CT3850

The AAA site is wrong/misleading. I called the MD state police and read the AAA weight station requirement for Maryland: the officer said that they would be calling AAA to request a correction. I also called the Virginia state police. They confirmed that weighing requirement only applied to commercial vehicles and that no personal vehicles needed to be weighed.

That is why I drive around Maryland. It is crazy up there.

[dblr]

We pull our 5th wheel with a HDT ( full size Kenworth tractor) and I never go into any weigh scales in any state unless a person directs me into it. Entered Pa on Rt 80 from Ohio and DOT was in the rest area we stopped at and the trooper there even waved us past after our bathroom break. I do have a CDL from when I worked but truck is tagged in De as a RV so no CDL required. Went past a few scales in Md that were open with out a problem

[nomad297]

So, technically, anybody driving a 350/3500 truck, towing or not, must stop at the scales in Maryland.

I have always hated driving in Maryland.

Bruce

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by nomad297

So, technically, anybody driving a 350/3500 truck, towing or not, must stop at the scales in Maryland.

Yes, technically.

[CT3850]

Here is the signage heading into the toll plaza. Anything over 5 tons!

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by CT3850

Here is the signage heading into the toll plaza. Anything over 5 tons!

Just as I have seen. I have never seen a sign stating GVWR, only GVW. There's a difference.

Bruce

[asquared]

Hmm... grew up right near there. I went through that toll booth dozens of times hauling a horse trailer, never stopped. Didn't know I needed to stop. Learn something new every day.

[davel1971]

I've towed past the scales on Rt 13 in Salisbury Md many times. Never stopped, never chased down.

[Retired JSO]

I'll go around too. Nothing there I care to see anyway.

[Martsing]

They will have to chase me down. That's craziness.
Marty