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Why does truck drivers get tickets for overweight trucks when it's not their fault?

by Sandy
(Tennessee)

Why is it that when a trucker gets a ticket for too much weight on the truck that it's his fault and it goes on his record?

He's not the one that loaded the truck and his company don't have a credit card to where he could check his weight before he gets to the scale house.

Why does his company have to pay the ticket for something they didn't do???

Comments for Why does truck drivers get tickets for overweight trucks when it's not their fault?

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Nov 07, 2018
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over weight NEW
by: Anonymous

a lot of companys we go to don't let u in the watch it being loaded u have to stay in the truck,, in any case it is wrong to charge the driver

Jul 31, 2018
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Do union truckers have this problem ? NEW
by: Anonymous

Ok, I'm about to embark on a new career in trucking, and have always wondered about this issue. Seems to me that the shippers should be responsible for weighing their loads before they're ready to be shipped. Just a suggestion, why aren't the driver's companies holding these shippers accountable ? There should be a disclaimer form to be signed by both parties releasing the drivers from liabilities regarding the confirmation of load weights. Although scales are supposed to be monitored and calibrated routinely, there's still the possibility that the shipper's scales and road scales could vary enough to cause a driver to be fined for over weight loads. I think it's absolutely ludicrous that drivers should have to shoulder this responsibility, and quite irresponsible of both the driver's company and the shippers to allow this issue to continue, especially given the every day stressors already taxing the very people who make it possible for trucking companies and their shippers to exist in the first place. I won't be a bit surprised to get negative feedback on this issue. My father once asked me why I felt it necessary to confront issues that I considered unfair, and why couldn't I stop rocking the boat and just except that "this is just the way it is" speech, at which point I responded "Just because the majority of people except injustices, doesn't mean I have to follow suit". If we don't contest issues of injustice, you can bet your ass that they will continue !

Jul 31, 2018
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Sep 02, 2017
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Hi NEW
by: Anonymous

I had a shipper last week who got MAD because HIS load was overweight. I went to weigh right after load to avoid ticket and sure enough it was way overweight. They unloaded a LITTLE bit and went to weigh again and still. I went back and got chewed out by this guy, like it was MY fault that THEIR load was overweight. Why do they get Mad? Is it because they want me to risk it? Are they just taking orders from someone else? I am the one who would be penalized, not them. I would like to record, BUT who do I report it to? PR? The Shippers company? All I know is My dispatchers could care less so any advice would be appreciated.

Feb 02, 2012
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Check the Bill of Lading NEW
by: Bill

Check the Bill of Lading. Often it will have the weight of the load on it.

Use common sense. If it is a load of car batteries, it is different than a load of potato chips.

If you think it will be overweight, go immediately to a scale. It will cost you about $10. Sure is a lot cheaper than a ticket. If it is overweight, make sure you get something in writing from your company that they still want you to pull the load and if they will pay for the ticket if you get it.

It is not a great solution. But it is better than the company dumping their responsibility on to you while they make the money and you pay a ticket.

Feb 01, 2012
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over weight tickets NEW
by: Hervy

Sandy, most good established trucking companies will tell drivers when they are about to pick up heavy loads before they get to the shipper. They do this so the driver can get weighed before leaving or as close to the shipper as possible.

They are also usually aware of companies that tend to over load trucks. I don't know what went down that makes you ask this question.

A new driver shouldn't be expected to have as much insight as an older driver like feeling the load is heavier than the paperwork may state.

Or knowing that the stated weight plus the truck weight is over gross.

In any case, if a company deals with a shady shipper, they could try and over load. A driver is supposed to try and get weighed as soon as possible with a heavy load. Usually when a shipper loads heavy there is a scale on the property or nearby before getting to a weigh station.

A driver needs to make sure the weight is legal before going across a scale and as close to the shipper as possible.

Why is it on the driver? The driver is there. The people in the office are not.

Specifics in incidents of being overweight can vary so my comment may be slightly off based if you are referring to a specific incident that occurred. This whole thing could seem unfair in certain circumstances.

Bottom line, you are supposed to not pull the load if it is overweight. Making the driver responsible is supposed to help keep the company in check because you will be more against pulling the load if you are going to be fined or penalized for doing so.

Don't be afraid to pull an overweight load. Record their response if the company is shady and tries to tell the driver to go around the scale or he/she will be penalized.

That's not right.

hervy

Oct 17, 2016
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weight of potatoes NEW
by: Anonymous

At Worley McCullough Potato in Monte Vista, Co they charge you $5 for a gross weight. Don't they have a responsibility to not overload truvks? If so, why do they charge me to see how much weight they put on?

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