Who has to stop at these? What is their purpose? I’ve seen signs saying all truckers must stop but some semi’s and trucks hauling trailers pass by them.
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Roads have a weight limit to prevent unnecessary damage to the road surface that would require extra/early maintenance. Large trucks and the like are going to be able to come close to or exceed those limits depending on what they’re hauling. The weigh stations are how states verify that the trucks are within those limits. There are also stations to check for agricultural goods and permits.
The drivers separate from the normal flow of traffic and drive over scales in the road that weigh the individual axels of the trucks. If the weight is within regulations, they’re good. If it’s close they could be directed to a more sensitive scale to verify their weight. If they’re over they could get a ticket and or have to park until they can get the issue fixed. That could be another truck coming and taking some of the load or getting a special permit to exceed the limits for the trip.
Sometimes a weigh station will have high speed scales on the highway so the drivers can be weighed at full speed in the right lane without exiting, then only the close or over weight trucks have to exit. Other times the weigh station will only do random weighs, using the lights on the side of the road to direct some trucks in while letting others pass. And finally there are computers (PrePass) inside some trucks that allow the driver to pre-register with the state and be allowed to bypass some weigh stations. Those use a big white boom mic looking thing hanging over the right lane to communicate with the computer in the truck. They might still get randomly selected to be verified though.
When a driver is stopped for a detailed weight check, they’re also usually checked for stuff as well. They have to keep a logbook of their work and drive times to meet DOT (Dept of Transportation)safety standards, that’s check and verified that it’s up to date and within compliance. They also need to have proper license and insurance as well as have paid any fuel taxes that they may owe, and may have to have a DOT safety inspection of their truck and trailer.
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