PPM Weight Tickets: Everything you need to know

Obtaining the correct weight tickets is a very important step for a successful PPM/DITY Move. These tickets are crucial, because they serve as certification of the actual weight of your Household Goods  in the eyes of your TMO office. In general, a weight ticket is a certificate stating the weight of a moving vehicle and is usually machine printed. You may think that it is as easy as obtaining empty and loaded vehicle weight tickets. While most of the times this is the case, there are some points that should be considered in order to obtain eligible, certified weight tickets.

The guidelines for approved weight tickets used to be more complicated a few years ago, as each armed force used to follow their own specifics in terms of location and timing of obtaining empty and full weight tickets. For example, US Coast Guard used to require both EMPTY and FULL weight ticket at Origin, while Marine Corps/Navy the requirement was not 2 but 3 weight tickets: 2 at origin and 1 at destination.

 

However, the most current guidance regarding weight tickets is the following:

In general, you are required to obtain one FULL and one EMPTY weight ticket at either Origin, Destination or a combination thereof. This policy gives you freedom regarding the sequence of obtaining the weight tickets. For example, you could obtain an EMPTY weight ticket at Origin, before loading your HHG, and a FULL weight ticket at DESTINATION, just before unloading. Another possible scenario would consist of weighing your vehicle FULL just before arriving at destination. After unloading all your stuff at your new home, you could then go one more time to the weighing scale and obtain your empty weight ticket.

In any case, please note that each armed force might still have slightly different policies regarding weight tickets. To avoid any negative surprises and to answer any doubts you may have, we would advise you to speak with your respective TMO.

For every weight ticket, make sure you get the following:

• Your full name, grade and SSN
• Identification of weight entries between tare, gross, or net weights
• Vehicle/Truck identification number for any POV(s), trailers, rental vehicles or commercial company vehicles used for the move
• Correct date of each weighing
• Weigh scale complete name and location

Please also note of below details:

• The use of a manufacturer weight for POVs or commercial vehicles, on-line weight estimates or weight tickets from prior moves are not acceptable weights
• Vehicle registrations may not be substituted for an empty weight ticket for a PPM claim
• Axle scale weights are permitted when local or state law does not otherwise restrict them

To locate the nearest certified weigh scales, we advise you to use Penske’s scale locator.  According to the tool, there are more than 600 operational weigh scales across US. This will make it an easy job locating a nearby weigh scale, and most of the times you will not even have to get far out of your way.