Public Weighbridge Certificates

Before an operator makes a weighbridge available for public use, for which a charge is made,

the operator of must have a certificate which is issued by the Trading Standards Service

following satisfactory completion of a proficiency test. To obtain the certificate, the operator

needs to be familiar with legislation relating to weighbridge equipment and its operation,

particularly Section 20 of Weights and Measures Act 1985.
The following are some examples of the knowledge required:

Operate the specific weighbridge satisfactorily, including operation of any attached
PC based equipment and ticket printers and perform basic arithmetic
Understand their duties as a weighbridge operator, e.g. ensuring the vehicle is fully
on the weighbridge plate and no persons including the driver or any passengers are in
the vehicle or on the plate
How at all times to keep the weighbridge ‘balanced’, i.e. showing a zero reading,
when empty and the methods by which zero is maintained. ‘Balance’ can be affected
by dirt and weather conditions. An incorrect ‘balance’ will give incorrect weighings.
Attendants should be aware of common faults which may cause inaccurate weighings.
Complete any weighbridge tickets and associated documentation satisfactorily.
This is to include the date and time of weighing, the registration number of the vehicle
and particulars of the load.
If an error is made when making out a weigh ticket no alterations should be made -
the ticket must be cancelled and a new one issued.
Understand potential frauds which may unknowingly be assisted by a weighbridge operator
Records must be kept and produced if asked by Trading Standards for a period of 2 years.

Please contact us for the full details of how to bring into operation a public weighbridge and how
to acquire certification ian.turner@bedscc.gov.uk

Any public weighbridge attendant who commits any of the following will be guilty of an offence:

Without reasonable cause fails to carry out a weighing on request
Carries out a weighing unfairly
Fails provide a written record of the weight recorded
Fails to make an accurate record of the weighing, including the time and date of it and, when weighing a vehicle, such particulars of the vehicle and any load on it as will identify that vehicle and that load
Provides a false statement of any weight found or makes a false record of any weighing
Commits any fraud in connection with any weighing or purported weighing.

All public weighbridges are regularly tested for accuracy as part of our inspection programme.

Bedfordshire County Council, Trading Standards Service, County Hall, Cauldwell Street, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 9AP
Telephone: (01234) 228897 Fax: (01234) 228255
Internet World Wide Web http://www.bedfordshire.gov.uk/AdviceAndBenefits/TradingStandards/TradingStandardsHome.aspx
Electronic Mail: business@bedscc.gov.uk