Tired truckers are everyone’s problem. And no trucker wants to drive tired. Some truckers insist that if you plan your trip correctly, you should always be able to find parking. Other truckers understand that no matter how much you plan, truck parking can be hard to reach. Truck stops fill up, usually later than earlier. But truckers can’t force themselves to be tired according to a plan. Lying in bed wide awake when your plan calls for sleep doesn’t make for a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, looking for a parking space is simply part of being a trucker.
Most drivers avoid parking at weigh stations like the plague. It’s understandable. But if you’re tired, maybe it’s not such a bad idea. The following is a guide to some states’ policies regarding trucker parking at weigh stations: what’s allowed, what’s not, and what truckers can expect.
California
There is no official policy in California regarding parking at weigh stations. And there is no official policy at any of the weigh stations, so you might run into a rogue officer who would rather hassle truckers than let them sleep. But in general, it’s safer to park at California weigh stations than you thought.
Truckers looking for a safe place to park should consider parking at the Banning weigh station. There is no official policy, but the consensus among most Banning truck scale officers is that they would rather have drivers park to rest at the weigh station than have tired drivers on the road. If you wish to park, you will need to cross the weighbridge, park, and enter to inform the officers that you wish to take your break. That way they will know that their truck is not “unattended”. Unattended trucks have a time limit of 4 hours after which the truck will be towed. Officials at the Wheeler Ridge weigh station agree. Tired truckers are dangerous and would rather truckers take their break at the weigh station than driving tired. At Wheeler Ridge, you don’t need to let officers know you’ll be parking for a while.
California weigh stations with less space do not allow parking. For example, trucks cannot park in either San Onofre nb or San Onofre sb. Trucks are also not allowed to park at the Truckee weigh station. The same goes for Rabbit nb and Rabbit sb. But even that is not set in stone. The Rabbit nb weighbridge officials say that if they are not busy and if a trucker walks in and tells them he is tired, they can use his own discretion and allow the driver to park and take his break. However, both the Conejo nb and Conejo sb scales will close their doors during closing hours, unless there are vehicles parked out of service. Do not plan to park on the ramps when the weigh station is closed.
Florida
Truck parking is permitted, indeed welcome, at any of Florida’s “super co-ops,” such as the weigh stations in Pensacola, Wildwood, and Flagler Beach. Parking is limited at other Florida weigh station locations, such as Hopewell or Bunnell, so drivers should not expect to find parking at those scales. Florida Department of Transportation officials say drivers can park at any of Florida’s “super co-ops” without fear of risking unwanted inspection. If an officer sees something that is clearly a safety violation, such as a flat tire, the driver will be notified of the violation before he leaves the weigh station and will have to fix it. But officers will not ask a driver who has been parked at the weigh station for his log book, nor will they pick up the vehicle for an inspection. Unless, of course, the driver parked there because he was put out of service; if a driver was placed out of service for a logbook violation, he may request to see the driver’s logbook before being allowed to leave the weigh-in area. station.
Georgia
Truck parking is allowed at any weigh station in Georgia as long as there is space. Drivers are asked to park in the back lot of any of Georgia’s “super co-ops.” One Georgia weigh station where parking spaces are in short supply is the Lithia Springs Weigh Station on I-20 East, west of Atlanta. Drivers should not plan to park at the Lithia Springs weigh station. Georgia DOT officials say that while drivers likely won’t be subject to inspection if they’ve been parked at the weigh station, it’s not out of the question. Officers may choose to ask a driver leaving the parking area to show their log book. They may also choose to inspect the truck. This is unlikely, but there is no policy against the practice.
Kentucky
The Walton Weigh Station and the Verona Weigh Station are designated “safe haven” locations for truckers. This means truckers can park there without fear of unwanted inspection. Kentucky police officials say truckers can be searched when they enter the weigh station, but once they’ve cleared the truck scale and gone to the “safe haven” lot, they no longer have to worry about it. . “Safe Haven” weigh stations provide a safe place for truckers to park.