Weight enforcement officers may stop and weigh loaded vehicles, and the Department of Public Safety must set weighing procedures.
Sec. 621.402. WEIGHING LOADED VEHICLE. (a) A weight enforcement officer who has reason to believe that the single axle weight, tandem axle weight, or gross weight of a loaded motor vehicle is unlawful may: (1) weigh the vehicle using portable or stationary scales furnished or approved by the Department of Public Safety; or (2) require the vehicle to be weighed by a public weigher. (b) The officer may require that the vehicle be driven to the nearest available scales. (c) A noncommissioned employee of the Department of Public Safety who is certified for the purpose by the public safety director and who is supervised by an officer of the Department of Public Safety may, in a port of entry or at a commercial motor vehicle inspection site, weigh a vehicle, require the vehicle to be weighed, or require a vehicle to be driven to the nearest scale under Subsections (a) and (b). (d) Prior to assessment of a penalty for weight which exceeds the maximum allowable axle weights, the owner or operator is authorized to shift the load to reduce or eliminate such excess axle weight penalties as long as no part of the shipment is removed. (e) The Department of Public Safety: (1) shall establish by rule uniform weighing procedures for weight enforcement officers to ensure an accurate weight is obtained for a motor vehicle; and (2) may revoke or rescind the authority of: (A) a weight enforcement officer who fails to comply with those rules; or (B) weight enforcement officers of a municipal police department, sheriff's department, or constable's office that fails to comply with those rules. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 737, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 941, Sec. 20, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1275, Sec. 2(136), eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 12 (S.B. 330), Sec. 1, eff. April 23, 2007. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 715 (H.B. 1252), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015.