What Happens If You Get a Warning for Passing a Weigh Station?

For commercial truck drivers, weigh stations are a regular part of life. But what happens if you accidentally—or intentionally—drive past a scale without stopping and get a warning?

While it may not seem like a major issue, the impact goes beyond a simple slap on the wrist.

Let’s break down what a warning really means, how it affects your CDL and CSA score, and what both drivers and fleets should do immediately after it happens.

Does It Affect Your CDL License?

No, not directly.

A warning for bypassing a weigh station doesn’t appear on your Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) and doesn’t impact your CDL status or insurance rates. It’s not a moving violation, and there are no points added to your license.

But the issue doesn’t stop there.

How It Impacts Your CSA Score

Even if you only receive a warning, if it’s documented on a roadside inspection report, it still affects your CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) score—specifically under the Unsafe Driving BASIC category.

This violation is coded as 392.2C (Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device) and carries a severity weight of 5 out of 10, which is a significant hit on the FMCSA scoring system.

Both the driver and the carrier take a hit, but the carrier may suffer the most in terms of long-term operational risk and regulatory scrutiny.

Related: How Fleets Can Easily Remove Crash Preventability Off CSA Scores

Will It Show Up on a PSP Report?

Yes, if the violation is included in the inspection report, it will appear in the Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP).

Carriers check PSP records when hiring new drivers, so even a warning could potentially raise concerns during the hiring process.

Common Reasons Drivers Miss Weigh Stations

• Misunderstanding signage (e.g., unsure if it applied to their weight or vehicle class)
• Inattentiveness or distraction
• Running behind schedule
• Avoiding inspection due to known issues (e.g., HOS violations, equipment defects)
• Inexperience, especially with smaller CMVs that don’t require a CDL

Regardless of the cause, enforcement officers will typically pull you over and escort you back to the scale, where the violation will be documented.

Driver Responsibilities After Receiving a Warning

If you’re a driver who received a warning for bypassing a scale, here’s what you should do immediately:

1. Notify your safety or compliance manager right away.
2. Document the incident while it’s fresh—note the location, signage, your vehicle weight, and any confusion that may have contributed.
3. Request a copy of the inspection report (if applicable) to understand the details.
4. Review your CSA score via the FMCSA portal or your safety department to monitor any changes.
5. Undergo refresher training, especially if the violation was due to confusion or oversight.
6. Be proactive—if you’re unsure about scale requirements in the future, ask your dispatcher or fleet manager.

Fleet Responsibilities After a Driver Receives a Warning

Carriers must take weigh station bypass violations seriously, even when no citation is issued. Here’s what your fleet should do:

1. Review the roadside inspection report to confirm if the 392.2C violation was included.
2. Investigate the root cause—was it a training issue, unclear signage, or intentional avoidance?
3. Meet with the driver to discuss what happened and determine appropriate corrective actions.
4. Provide retraining on weigh station rules, signage interpretation, and compliance expectations.
5. Monitor CSA scores to understand the impact on your Unsafe Driving BASIC.
6. Document your response and corrective actions as part of your safety management practices—this can help show due diligence if audited by the FMCSA.

Should You Fight the Violation?

This may sound backward, but some drivers prefer a citation over a warning—because citations can be challenged in court. Warnings cannot.

If a driver believes the stop was unjustified (e.g., signage was misleading or didn’t apply), the only real recourse is to file a DataQs challenge through the FMCSA portal to request a review.

Prevention Is Key

Bypassing a weigh station may seem like a minor issue, but the consequences can ripple through your career and your company’s compliance standing. It affects your PSP, damages CSA scores, and may lead to increased enforcement targeting your fleet.

For drivers, staying alert and knowing when to stop is critical. For carriers, proactive training and immediate follow-up can make the difference between a warning and a pattern of noncompliance.

In trucking, small missteps add up. Handle each one like it matters—because it does.

If you have any questions, call or email CNS at 888.260.9448 or info@cnsprotects.com.