To apply for a Weighbridge Operators Certificate please complete the application form and e-mail it to Trading Standards

Weighbridge Operators Certificate - application form

To operate a public weighbridge, you require a certificate of competence issued by the Chief Inspector for Weights and Measures for your local authority.

Operators of public weighing equipment have a responsibility to ensure that they can perform their duties competently and honestly.

No-one may operate public weighing equipment unless he/she holds a certificate from a Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures.

To operate a public weighbridge the operator must have sufficient knowledge for the proper performance of his/her duties including basic numeracy skills.  Anyone applying for a certificate must pass a test to show they can:

• Operate the weighbridge satisfactorily and complete any weighbridge tickets and associated documentation
• Understand the basic terms associated with the operation of the weighbridge
• Identify potential frauds which may unknowingly be assisted by a weighbridge operator
• Understand the importance of accuracy when operating a weighbridge by performing simple arithmetic (use of a calculator is permitted)

Section 18 of the Weights and Measures Act 1985 states that the operators of public weighing equipment must hold a certificate of competence from a Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures.

Section 19 states that operators:

• Must carry out a weighing if requested unless they have reasonable cause not to do so
• Must carry out the weighing fairly
• Must give the person requiring the weighing a written statement of the weight found
• Must make a record detailing the time, date and particulars identifying the vehicle and the load on the vehicle
• Must not make a false record or a false statement
• Must not commit any fraud

It also states that:

• Anyone bringing an item to be weighed must, if requested, give their name and address to the weighbridge operator
• Records of weighing must be retained for two years
• Records must not be destroyed or defaced within two years

Operators of public weighing equipment have a responsibility to ensure that they can perform their duties competently and honestly.

No-one may operate public weighing equipment unless they hold a certificate from a Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures.

To operate a public weighbridge the operator must have sufficient knowledge for the proper performance of his/her duties including basic numeracy skills.  Anyone applying for a certificate must pass a verbal test to show they can:

• Operate the weighbridge satisfactorily
• Complete any weighbridge tickets and associated documentation satisfactorily
• Understand basic terms associated with the operation of a weighbridge
• Understand their legal obligations and duties as a weighbridge operator
• Understand potential frauds which may unknowingly be assisted by a weighbridge operator
• Understand how the accuracy of the weighbridge may be affected
• Understand and be able to calculate gross, tare and net weights (use of a calculator is permitted)

Once your completed application is received, an Officer will contact you to arrange to carry out a verbal test. Once satisfied a certificate of competence will be issued within 7 days. 

Currently no fees apply for this service.

Tacit consent means that if we have not dealt with applications within the target period, then the application can be deemed to have been granted/approved.

Please note that tacit consent does not apply in respect of this application. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from us within a reasonable period, please contact us by e-mail.

The application period is 21 working days.

Please contact us in the first instance. You may appeal to the National Measurement Office if your application is refused.

Currently there is one weighbridge offering public services in Milton Keynes.

A Goodman & Sons
Tavistock Street, Bletchley, MK2 2PP

Telephone: (01908) 373187  or (01908) 377318

Visit their website

If you have used a public weighbridge and you are unhappy with the service you have received, please contact the weighbridge operator in the first instance, best practice would be to complain in writing (with proof of postage).

If that does not work you might like to obtain consumer advice from DirectGov or contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133

From outside the United Kingdom please contact the UK European Consumer Centre.