Locations
Who must report to an OPEN scale?
Commercial vehicles and vehicle combinations exceeding 20,000 pounds:
- Must stop and weigh at an Open scale when a sign posted before the scale reads "All Trucks Over 20,000# GVWR Next Right."
All commercial vehicles and vehicles combinations with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or greater:
- Must stop and weigh at an Open scale without this posted sign.
The following are exempt from the requirements of reporting to an open scale when directed to do so by an Open sign. See
ORS 818.400(2).
- An empty log truck and bunked pole trailer.
- A vehicle or combination of vehicles that is enroute to a terminal or other legitimate business that requires turning off the highway after passing the Open sign but before reaching the scale. Turning off one highway onto another highway is not exempt. A highway is defined as every public way, road, street, thoroughfare, and place intended for use by the general public. ORS 801.305.
- A vehicle or combination of vehicles directed to bypass by a weigh-in-motion system.
Exception: Vehicles transporting an oversize and/or heavy haul load must stop at Open scales even if they receive a green light on their transponder. - Fire equipment with red warning lights and/or siren operating.
- Recreational Vehicles operated solely for personal use.
- A bus, unless required by signage to enter scale.
- Military vehicles in convoy.
Need to weight a vehicle and get a “certified” scale receipt?
ODOT cannot "certify" weights for public vehicles. A private or public scale will usually weigh a vehicle and provide a "certified" weight receipt for a fee. Not all truck stops have a scale and those that do may or may not be certified.
If you find the weight of your vehicle requires credentials from the Commerce and Compliance Division, please call the CCD Commercial Vehicle Tax Service Center at 503-378-6699.
Examples of when the public may want to weigh their vehicles.
- Military personnel need to weigh their rental truck before and after loaded (could be for relocation reimbursement purposes).
- Just bought a new piece of equipment and don't know what it weighs.
- Just started operating and want to ensure they don't overload their vehicles.
Oregon Department of Transportation Scale Decks
ODOT scale decks are:
- Operational 24/7 for public use, including when the sign on the highway may indicate the scale is closed.
- Only closed to the public during repair status.
Note: You are subject to a citation and fine if a Motor Carrier Enforcement Officer or Compliance Safety Officer observes an overweight credential or other traffic violation.
Green Light Weigh Station Preclearance Program
- The Green Light weigh-in-motion preclearance system verifies truck size, weight, registration and safety records as you drive on the freeway.
- It is a free, voluntary service available to carriers operating in Oregon.