Weighbridges in France, by department

Municipal weighbridges, often signposted « poids public », are meant for everyone, sometimes with a key or a badge to collect from the town hall (mairie). Those of farming cooperatives, quarries, merchants and recycling centres belong to their operator, who decides whether to let a private vehicle on. In every case, call before you go.

The price is set by the town or the operator: it is shown on the page when we know it. Ask for it when you call, together with the opening hours and whether you can get a printed ticket.

To compare with the maximum authorised mass, yes: passengers, luggage, water and fuel all count. If you would rather weigh with only the driver on board, add the other passengers' weight afterwards.

Weighbridges built for lorries are often 12 to 18 metres long, enough for a motorhome or a car and caravan. Older municipal weighbridges are sometimes shorter: you then weigh axle by axle, or the car and the caravan separately.

The French Highway Code (Code de la route, article R312-2) provides for a fourth-class fine for every 500 kg over the limit on a vehicle of 3.5 t or less, and the vehicle can be immobilised beyond 5 % overload. These rules apply to every vehicle driven in France, whatever its country of registration. Overloading also lengthens braking distances and wears tyres and brakes faster.

They come from the collaborative OpenStreetMap map, which gives their location but rarely their access conditions. We are checking them one by one with town halls and operators. Until then, a phone call saves a wasted trip.