Status of Permittee While Enroute to the Scale

Section 554 Section 554.608  Status of Permittee While Enroute to the Scale a)         When the applicant has requested travel to a designated scale and the routing and scale have been specified in the permit by the Permit Office the permittee shall be deemed in compliance with the weight provisions of the permit provided the axle or gross weights do not exceed any of the permitted limits by more than the following amounts: 1)         Single axle                  2,000 pounds 2)         Tandem axle               3,000 pounds 3)         Gross                           5,000 pounds b)         If the permittee is stopped by a police officer while enroute to the scale specified in the permit, the police officer may accompany the permittee to the designated scale and witness the weighing, or the police officer may direct the permittee to a closer certified scale.  However, the police officer assumes responsibility for ensuring that the selected route to the alternate scale can safely accommodate the load.  The Permit Office may be contacted if the police officer is unsure of the capacity of the route. c)         If after checking the weights at the scale, the permittee finds that the weights are within the limits indicated in the permit, the permittee may proceed to the destination by using the routes indicated in the permit.  However, the permittee must still stop at all open weigh stations along the permitted route and will be subject to all normal enforcement action. d)         If the permittee finds that the load exceeds one or more of the limits specified in the permit, but is within the tolerances indicated in subsection (a), the permittee must contact the Permit Office to either obtain a revised permit, as provided in Section 554.211 of this Part, or reduce the weights to those specified in the permit before proceeding.  Under the provisions of Section 15-301(f) of the Code, the permittee is not subject to arrest for being overweight while at or en route to the designated scale unless the load is found to be in excess of the permit limits by more than the weight tolerance in subsection (a). e)         If the load exceeds one or more of the limits specified in the permit by an amount in excess of the tolerances indicated in subsection (a), the permittee is subject to arrest if a police officer witnesses the weighing or if the permittee moves the load from the scale premises without either first adjusting the load to within the limits specified in the permit or obtaining a new permit that covers the movement.  There shall be no refund of fees for any permit so exceeded, nor will there be any reduction in the fee for the new permit.