Abstract: Portable vehicle scales are described for weighing vehicle loads. The scales are low profile with a ground-engaging base. A wheel support platform is spring-supported on the base for supporting the applied wheel load. A plurality of calibrated springs support the platform with the springs being compressed in linear proportion to the magnitude of the applied load. Variable capacitor transducers are utilized to translate the change in deflection to a change in capacitance. The change in capacitance is measured by an electrical system and displaced in a digital readout device in units of weight. The variable capacitor transducers are constructed of discs of metal electrodes separated by layers of elastic dielectric material. The layers of elastic dielectric material compress in response to the deflection of the springs to change the transducer capacitance.