I am starting a new business in Illinois using a 15ft E350 Box Truck delivering my own products. Box measures 15' long, 7 1/2 ft wide and 6ft high. GVWR is 11,500. Do I need to stop at the weigh scales in IL? Someone told me they thought only if GVWR is 16,001 or more. IL DOT website is no help at all! Can anyone help? Thanks!

I'm guessing if you have commercial plates, yes.

all commercial trucks must stop, no matter the size or weight

The dealership selling me the vehicle said they didn't think i needed too but they weren't sure. I used to sell for Schwans and didn't have to weigh that truck. Why was that I wonder?

Last time I remember Ill sign read trucks over 8 ton. Some others are different. NC requires ya to stop if over 10k. Drive to the scale and ask them,that is the safe way. ;)

I am in IL too. No you do not need to scale in IL unless you go over 16000. Now Iowa, Wisconsin, and Indiana are a different story. You do need to get a DOT # and since you are in business in IL you probabley need a IL Dot # also. Fines are pretty stiff if you are commercial and no #. I haul trailers out of IN and found if you are not sure just roll in. Its better to be safe than have a DOT officer run you down, bring you back to the scale, and go over everthing with a fine tooth comb. ):h

all commercial trucks must stop, no matter the size or weightIf you have "not for hire" on you truck then I believe you do not have to. (Look into this)

But if you are hauling your products and charging the customer to move it for them then you'll need a DOT number and the scales will be a must based on your licensed weight.

I am selling a product....but offering free shipping as part of the service. I am not charging for freight or having delivery charges of any kind. Does that matter?

I would have to say yes, you will need a US-DOT number. There are two types of carrier type out there, For Hire Carrier( Contract & Common) and Private Carrier for your case. If your box truck was just hauling your tools to a job site then just getting Commercial plates would work. But since you will be hauling your product I do believe you'll need a US-DOT number.

Check out this site. www.ooida.com (http://www.ooida.com) I am a member and they are the ones who got my authority. Give them a call tell them what you are wanting to do and that you want a free quote. They will be able to answer your question.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for all the replies! Man has this been confusing. I called IL DOT this morning and finally got someone with some answers. As long as I stay in IL I do not need any DOT #'s at all. I'll only need a US DOT # if I go out of state. Since I'll be over 10,001 #'s I'll need to carry a DOT Medical Card and a Log Book. I will not have to go through the scales however.

so that means if i have a tag sumin like C8041 on my 1500 i have to go threw the scales any thime i pass them

Actualy In Il. you can run D plates up to 12,000 lb and all you need is to have it inspected every 6 months, (and have flares and a fire extinguisher in the truck, no log book required thats what I was told by the State Trooper anyways) and shouldn't you be talking to the SOS and not the DOT as they are the ones who you get the plates from?

Here in CA the truck scales are for trucks... not pickup trucks. So if you are a non commercial driver driving your pickup truck and towing some sort of recreational trailer. you are not required to cross the scales. While hauling over 10,000 lbs for Commercial use is different and should be looked into on a case by case basis.

VR :)

Actualy In Il. you can run D plates up to 12,000 lb and all you need is to have it inspected every 6 months, (and have flares and a fire extinguisher in the truck, no log book required thats what I was told by the State Trooper anyways) and shouldn't you be talking to the SOS and not the DOT as they are the ones who you get the plates from?
The log book is only required because I'll be driving 100 miles from home or more. It was a State Trooper I talked to... working through DOT. SOS issues the plates but has nothing to do with how the laws are followed. It will be State Police most likely that pull you over and are the ones issueing the tickets.

At least you are getting the correct answers to your questions. Good luck with the truck.