Do all box trucks have to stop at Florida agricultural inspection stations?

Yes. Under Florida Statute § 570.15, EVERY box truck, straight truck, rental truck (U-Haul, Penske, Budget), van, and flatbed vehicle MUST stop at all open Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Agricultural Inspection Stations. This rule applies even if you are completely empty or driving for personal use.

Can a box truck bypass Florida agricultural stations with PrePass?

No, standard PrePass does not authorize agricultural bypass unless your motor carrier is explicitly enrolled in the Florida AgPass program. If you receive a green light on a mainline scale, verify whether the station is an FHP weight scale or an FDACS agricultural checkpoint—Ag stations require all non-AgPass box trucks to pull in.

What is the penalty for blowing past an open Florida Ag inspection station?

Failing to stop at an open Florida agricultural inspection station is a second-degree misdemeanor under Florida Statute § 570.15. Fines range from $100 to $500, FDACS officers will pursue and intercept your vehicle, and you will be forced to return to the station for a full physical cargo inspection.

Mandatory Stop for ALL Box Trucks • Fla. Stat. § 570.15

Florida Box Truck Weigh Station Rules: The Ag Inspection Law

Florida has the most unique inspection protocol in the country. If you drive any box truck through Florida, you MUST stop at agricultural inspection stations regardless of your weight, commercial status, or whether you are completely empty.

By BoxTruckDesk Editorial Team (16–26ft Box Truck Operations & Dispatch)Last updated: November 15, 20268 min read

Informational Disclaimer: Figures, rates, and examples on this page are estimates for educational planning—not legal, tax, accounting, or insurance advice. Operating costs and regulations vary by state, truck spec, and authority history. Verify rules directly with the FMCSA, your state DMV, and a licensed commercial insurance agent.

Ag Station Rule

100% Mandatory

Fla. Stat. § 570.15 mandates that every box truck must enter open FDACS agricultural stations. No exemptions for empty trucks.

FHP Weight Scales

10,001+ lbs

Standard Florida Highway Patrol weight stations require all commercial vehicles exceeding 10,000 lbs GVWR to stop.

Bypass Nuance

PrePass Restricted

PrePass bypasses FHP weight scales, but does not bypass Ag stations unless enrolled in the specialized Florida AgPass program.

1. Why You Must Stop Even When 100% Empty

Florida’s citrus and agricultural industries are heavily protected against invasive pests and agricultural diseases. To enforce this, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) operates 22 agricultural inspection stations across interstate and highway border crossings into and out of the state.

Signs along I-10, I-75, and I-95 clearly read: "ALL RENTAL TRUCKS, BOX TRUCKS, AND TRAILERS MUST STOP AT AG INSPECTION".

When you pull up to the inspection window, the officer will ask:

"What are you hauling today?"
"Do you have plants, agricultural produce, or citrus?"

If you are hauling general freight or running empty, show your Bill of Lading (BOL). In 95% of cases, the officer verifies your paperwork, visually inspects your box if unlocked, and clears you in under 60 seconds.

2. Key Florida Inspection Corridors

I-95 North & Southbound (Yulee / Jacksonville Border)

Florida/Georgia border inspection facility. Mandatory stop for all box trucks entering or exiting coastal Florida.

I-75 North & Southbound (Jennings / Hamilton County)

Major Midwest/Atlanta freight pipeline into Orlando and Tampa. High-volume 24/7 inspection station.

I-10 East & Westbound (Suwannee / Live Oak)

Panhandle cross-state corridor connecting Pensacola, Tallahassee, and Jacksonville.

US-1 / US-301 / US-441 State Road Scales

Secondary highway agricultural checkpoints covering freight attempting to bypass interstate scales.

← Return to 50-State Weigh Station Directory Calculate Deadhead Costs →