Michigan Weigh Stations & Ag Inspection

When Michigan makes you pull in

A Michigan officer or MDOT agent who believes you're overweight can order you to stop and drive to the nearest weigh station (MCL 257.724(1)); fixed-scale signs direct commercial vehicles in when open. Bypass or fail to stop at a scale and it's a civil infraction, no jail (MCL 257.724(5)). The misdemeanor is narrower: up to 90 days, a fine up to $100, or both, for knowingly refusing an order to submit to a portable-scale weighing (MCL 257.724(7)). Main scales sit on I-94, I-75, and US-23; portable crews cover the rest.

Stations, bypass, and inspection

• Who must stop: Only when a sign directs
• Where the stations are: Main scales sit on I-94 (Grass Lake, New Buffalo), I-75 (Pontiac, Monroe), and US-23, with more on I-69 and I-96. Fixed-scale signs and ramp signals show open or closed; Michigan State Police and MDOT run portable scales and roving patrols between them.
• Bypass: Both available. PrePass covers Grass Lake EB/WB on I-94 and Pontiac SB on I-75; Drivewyze runs app/ELD bypass at fixed and mobile Michigan sites. Drivewyze needs no transponder; PrePass uses a windshield transponder or its app. Green means stay on the mainline; red or no signal means pull in.
• Ag / border inspection: None. No agricultural or produce-inspection checkpoints on Michigan roads.
• Fine for passing an open station: Bypassing or failing to stop at a scale or weighing station is a civil infraction with no jail (MCL 257.724(5)). The misdemeanor is narrower: up to 90 days in jail, a fine up to $100, or both, for knowingly refusing an officer's or MDOT agent's order to stop and submit to a portable-scale weighing, or for dumping your load to dodge one (MCL 257.724(7)). Overweight is its own civil infraction on a per-pound scale, 3 cents a pound rising to 20 cents a pound once the excess passes 10,000 lbs (MCL 257.724(3)).

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