If you're moving long distance and have decided to rent a truck you may be wondering, do I need to stop at weigh stations? This is a very common question which is spurred by the fact that there is no universal answer. Truck rental locations will usually tell you that you must indeed stop at all weigh stations whereas an Internet search will likely yield the opposite. To help our customers, or anyone completing a do-it-yourself move with a rental truck, we have put together this quick guide.
When Does a Rental Truck Stop at A Weigh Station?
To make a very confusing answer to this question as simple as possible we abide by a single rule: Most states do not require non-commercial vehicles to stop at weigh stations, so if you are hauling personal property, such as your household items, you can generally pass right on by. With that said, if you are ever unsure, you should always stop. It is very likely that you will be waived through the bypass lane.
But wait! There are two important exceptions to this rule:
- Some states have 'agriculture inspection' stations at the state border. This is notably true in Florida. Agricultural inspections almost always require all trucks, trailers and explicitly "rental trucks" to stop
- In several parts of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California rental trucks are required to stop for immigration checkpoints
In What States do I Need to Stop At A Weigh Station?
If you'd like to know more about the individual states that you will be passing through you had better be prepared for a lot of work. As previously mentioned, there is a lot of confusion surrounding this topic because there is rarely an official answer. If you call an individual state's Department of Transportation you may get varying answers from different people. We've published a summary and links for the state's which have officially published information on this topic.
[How much does your rental truck weigh?] [What is the height clearance of my rental truck?]
| State | Stop? | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | Sometimes | Only commercial vehicles. This includes truck rentals hauling commercial goods. |
| Arizona | Over 10,000 lbs | All vehicles over 10,000 lbs are required to stop. Yes, this includes rental trucks. |
| California | Always | All truck rentals must stop. |
| Florida | Sometimes | If a rental truck is being used to move personal property (not commercial) it does not need to stop. This does not apply to Agricultural Inspection Stations, all trucks and trailers, including rental trucks, are required to stop. |
| Georgia | Over 10,000 lbs | All truck rentals hauling more than 10,000 pounds in personal property must stop. |
| Indiana | Yes | All trucks are required to enter open weigh stations |
| Kansas | Over 10,000 lbs | All truck rentals hauling more than 10,000 pounds in personal property must stop. |
| Maryland | Over 10,000 lbs | All truck rentals hauling more than 10,000 pounds in personal property must stop. |
| Missouri | Over 18,001 lbs | All vehicles with a registered weight of 18,001 lbs or more must stop. |
| Montana | Always | All vehicles except passenger cars and pickup trucks under 14,000 lbs are required to stop. |
| Nebraska | Yes | All truck rentals must stop. |
| New Jersey | Over 10,001 lbs | All vehicles that weigh 10,001 lbs or more must stop. |
| New Mexico | No | Stopping is not required for any vehicle that is hauling personal property, regardless of size or weight. |
| New York | Over 10,000 lbs | All vehicles that weigh 10,000 lbs or more must stop. This includes vehicles that are pulling a trailer, if the combined weight exceeds 10,000 lbs. |
| Ohio | Over 10,000 lbs | All truck rentals hauling more than 10,000 pounds in personal property must stop. |
| Oregon | No | Truck rentals hauling personal property do not have to stop. |
| South Carolina | Yes | Truck rentals hauling personal property must stop but will likely be waived through. |
| Washington | No | Rental trucks carrying personal property do not have to stop. |