A weighbridge ticket is often the only document that settles how much was bought, sold or delivered. Grain buyers in Kano, quarry customers in Abeokuta, scrap dealers in Lagos and haulage firms in Port Harcourt all rely on it. Yet many drivers, buyers and even site managers are not sure how to read a weighbridge ticket properly, which leads to arguments at the gate and lost money.
This guide explains every common field on a ticket, how the weights are worked out, and what to check before you sign or pay.
What Is a Weighbridge Ticket?
A weighbridge ticket (also called a weighbridge slip or weight certificate) is a printed or digital record of a vehicle's weighing. It is produced by the weighbridge indicator, a dedicated 80 mm thermal ticket printer, or weighbridge software connected to the scale.
Layouts differ between sites, but almost every ticket contains the same core information.
How to Read a Weighbridge Ticket, Field by Field
Ticket number
A unique serial number for each transaction. Numbers should run in sequence. Gaps or repeated numbers can be a sign of errors or manipulation, so auditors check them.
Date and time
Usually printed for both weighings – when the vehicle came in and when it went out. Long gaps between weighings are normal at some sites but can matter in disputes.
Vehicle registration
The truck's number plate. On automated sites this may be captured by an ANPR camera. Always check it matches the truck in front of you.
Customer, supplier and haulier
Who the goods belong to, who is receiving them and which transport company carried them.
Product or material
For example maize, granite, cement, scrap or LPG. Some tickets also show a grade or destination.
First weight and second weight
Most weighings happen in two passes:
- First weight – taken when the truck arrives.
- Second weight – taken when it leaves after loading or offloading.
Gross weight
The weight of the truck with its load. For an incoming delivery this is usually the first weight; for an outgoing load it is usually the second.
Tare weight
The weight of the empty truck, including the driver, fuel and any equipment on board.
Net weight
The weight of the load alone:
Net weight = Gross weight − Tare weight
For example, if a loaded tipper weighs 42,360 kg and the same tipper empty weighs 15,120 kg, the net load is 27,240 kg. This net figure is what the buyer pays for or the seller invoices.
Operator and site details
The name or code of the weighbridge operator, the site name and sometimes the weighbridge's identification. Some tickets include a space for the driver's signature.
Stored Tare vs Live Tare
Some sites save each truck's empty weight and reuse it later. This is called stored tare or preset tare. It speeds up traffic, because the truck only needs to be weighed once per trip.
The risk is that a truck's real empty weight changes over time with fuel, spare tyres, tarpaulins, water or mud. If the stored tare is out of date, the net weight will be wrong. A ticket should make clear whether the tare was live (weighed on the day) or stored. For high-value goods, live tare is safer, and stored tares should be updated regularly.
Common Problems on Weighbridge Tickets
Look out for:
- Mismatched plate numbers – the ticket belongs to another truck.
- Handwritten changes – any corrected figure should be questioned.
- Missing first or second weight – the net cannot be confirmed.
- Sequence gaps in ticket numbers.
- Truck not fully on the deck – a wheel off the platform gives a low reading. A remote display lets drivers see the reading for themselves.
- Very round numbers every time – weights rarely repeat exactly; unusual patterns are worth checking.
If you suspect a problem, read our guide on weighbridge tampering.
What to Check Before You Sign
Whether you are a driver, buyer or seller, run through this short checklist every time:
- The vehicle registration matches the truck being weighed.
- The customer, supplier and product are correct.
- Both the gross and tare weights are shown, and you know whether the tare is live or stored.
- The net weight equals gross minus tare – do the subtraction yourself.
- The date, time and ticket number are printed, not handwritten.
- Nothing has been crossed out or written over.
- You keep your own copy, or a photo of the ticket, for your records.
If the figures look wrong, ask for the truck to be reweighed while it is still on site. It is much easier to settle a difference at the weighbridge than days later by phone.
Is the Ticket Legally Reliable?
A ticket is only as trustworthy as the weighbridge that printed it. For trade use in Nigeria, the weighbridge should hold a current Weights and Measures certificate of verification, renewed every year. Ask the site to show it if you are unsure. Regular weighbridge calibration keeps the readings within legal limits, and some businesses choose more frequent checks every 3 or 6 months.
You can learn more in our post on the weighbridge calibration certificate.
Better Tickets with Software
Handwritten tickets and simple printer slips are easy to lose and hard to audit. Weighbridge software stores every transaction, prevents numbers being reused, attaches camera snapshots and produces daily reports. Indicators with a PC output, such as the XK3190-D10 weighbridge indicator with RS232, make this connection simple.
Kira Scales supplies printers, indicators, software and complete weighbridges, and serves every state and the FCT. Ask about our weighbridge accessories.
Need Clearer, Trustworthy Tickets?
If your site is still issuing handwritten slips, or your tickets keep causing disputes, we can help with printers, software and calibration. See the product pages for current pricing or request a quote. Call or WhatsApp +234 803 435 4829 or email sales@kirascales.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between gross, tare and net weight?
Gross is the loaded truck, tare is the empty truck, and net is the load alone. Net weight equals gross minus tare.
Why does my net weight differ from the supplier's ticket?
Differences can come from out-of-date stored tares, a truck not fully on the deck, load changes in transit, or an uncalibrated weighbridge. Compare both tickets field by field.
Is a handwritten weighbridge ticket valid?
It may be accepted between parties, but printed or software-generated tickets are far easier to verify and much harder to alter.
What is stored tare on a weighbridge ticket?
It is a saved empty weight for a truck that is reused instead of weighing the empty truck each time. It should be updated regularly.
How do I know a weighbridge ticket is from a verified scale?
Ask the site for its current Weights and Measures certificate of verification, which should be renewed every year for trade use.
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