Pilot Car Requirements by State

Escort triggers for width, height and length in 48 states, checked against each state's rules in October 2026

Quick answer

When does an oversize load need a pilot car?

It depends on the state and the dimension. Width is the most common trigger: one escort over 12 ft wide in New York, over 13 ft in Pennsylvania and Ohio, over 14 ft in New Jersey and Texas, and over 14 ft 6 in in Illinois. Height, length and overhang carry their own triggers, and the largest loads need police escorts as well.

Updated October 2026 by the HTS Logistics broker team (FMCSA MC# 1178470).

Same load, different answer in each state

Take a machine that rides 13 ft 6 in wide on the trailer. It needs no escort in New Jersey, Texas, Illinois or Minnesota (which waits until 15 ft), one in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, Missouri and on the Mass Pike, and two in Connecticut, where 13 ft 6 in is the line for front and rear escorts, and on Virginia roads off the Interstate. In California and Colorado the answer depends on the route's color on the state's escort map, and Arizona sets it road by road.

A multi-state move has to meet each state's rule while it is in that state, so escorts can join or drop off at state lines. The issued permit is what the driver and escorts follow; the tables below show where each state starts. For the permit itself, see oversize permits by state.

Pilot car requirements by state: width and length

Escort width and length triggers in 48 states, checked October 2026
State	First escort	More escorts	Length	Rule
New York	Over 12 ft wide: 1 certified escort, in front on two-lane roads and behind on roads with more lanes	Over 16 ft wide on two-lane roads, or 18 ft or more on four-lane: 3 escorts (2 front, 1 rear)	80 ft or more: 1 escort; 100 ft or more on two-lane roads, or 160 ft or more on four-lane: 3	17 NYCRR 154-1; NYSDOT Escort Manual 2025
New Jersey	Over 14 ft wide: 1 escort, behind on highways with 4 or more lanes and in front on narrower roads	Over 16 ft wide: 2 escorts (front and rear) plus a route survey	Over 100 ft: 1 escort; over 120 ft: 2	N.J.A.C. 13:18-1.12; NJDOT Guidebook 5.5
Pennsylvania	Over 13 ft wide: 1 pilot car, following on highways with 2 or more lanes each way and leading on one-lane roads	Over 13 ft wide with over 120 ft length, or with over 14 ft 6 in height: 2 (PennDOT pilot car sheet)	Over 90 ft, or more than 15 ft of rear overhang: 1 following pilot car	67 Pa. Code 179.10(13); 75 Pa.C.S. 4962
Connecticut	Over 12 ft wide: 1 escort, behind on divided highways and in front on undivided roads	13 ft 6 in wide or more: front and rear; 15 ft or more: 1 front and 2 rear	Over 80 ft on undivided roads: 1 rear; over 100 ft: front and rear on undivided roads; over 119 ft 11 in: front, rear and State Police	CTDOT OSOW FAQ; RCSA 14-270-21
Massachusetts	Mass Pike: over 12 ft wide: 1 following pilot car (the same in the Boston tunnels and Central Artery)	Over 13 ft 6 in up to 16 ft wide: 2, one ahead and one behind	Mass Pike: over 90 ft: 1; over 100 ft: 2 (Boston system: over 80 ft: 1; over 95 ft: 2)	700 CMR 7.07(4)(d)
California	Depends on the route color: over 10 ft wide on brown routes, over 11 ft on blue, over 12 ft on yellow and green	2 pilot cars over 12 ft (brown), 13 ft (blue), 14 ft (green) or 15 ft (yellow)	Over 120 ft on yellow and green routes, over 100 ft on blue, over 85 ft on brown	Caltrans Transportation Permits Manual; Pilot Car Map Legend
Florida	Over 12 ft wide: 1 qualified escort, or 2 on narrow lanes, short bridges and busy urban roads unless the load shows 4 warning lights	Over 14 ft wide: 2 (front and rear), trip permits only; over 16 ft: local moves only, with law enforcement on most roads	Over 95 ft: 1; over 150 ft: 2 (1 on limited-access roads); over 250 ft: law enforcement plus 1	F.A.C. 14-26.012
Georgia	Over 12 ft wide: a rear escort on four-lane roads; a front escort plus rear amber lights on two-lane roads	Over 14 ft 8 in wide on two-lane highways: front and rear escorts	Over 75 ft: rear amber light; over 100 ft: rear escort; over 125 ft: front and rear	Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 672-2-.06
Illinois	Over 14 ft 6 in wide, over 14 ft 6 in high or over 110 ft long: 1 civilian escort	Two of those at once: 2; over 16 ft wide, 18 ft high or 145 ft long: 3	Over 110 ft: 1; over 145 ft: 3	92 Ill. Adm. Code 554.407-554.408; IDOT OPER 993
Ohio	Over 13 ft wide: 1 lead escort (behind instead on multi-lane highways)	Over 14 ft 6 in wide or 14 ft 10 in high, or more than one trigger at once: 2 (lead and rear)	Over 90 ft: 1 rear escort	ODOT Form OS-1A; Operational Guide Sec. 12
Texas	Over 14 ft wide: 1 escort, in front on two-lane roads and behind on roads with 4 or more lanes	Over 16 ft wide: front and rear on all roads	Over 110 ft: 1; over 125 ft: front and rear plus a carrier route inspection	43 TAC 219.11(k); Transp. Code 623.008
Alabama	Over 12 ft wide: 1 escort, in front on two-lane roads and behind on multilane roads	Over 14 ft wide: front and rear on all roads	90 to 125 ft: 1 rear; 125 to 150 ft: front and rear; over 150 ft: law enforcement front and rear	Ala. Admin. Code 450-3-1-.05
Kentucky	Over 12 ft wide: lead and trail escorts on two-lane routes; a trail escort on four-lane routes	Over 14 ft wide on four-lane routes: lead and trail; over 16 ft: 2 front and 2 rear (KYTC)	Two-lane: over 75 ft lead, over 85 ft lead and trail; four-lane: over 110 ft trail; over 120 ft: 1 front and 2 rear (KYTC)	601 KAR 1:018 Sec. 13-14; KYTC escort page
South Carolina	Over 12 ft wide: 1 front escort on two-lane highways (SCDOT may add a rear escort)	Over 14 ft: front and rear on all roads, four-lane highways only; over 16 ft: 2 civilian and 2 police escorts	125 to 150 ft: 1 rear; over 150 ft: front and rear	SCDOT OSOW Guidelines (rev. 3/2026), Sec. Q
Virginia	Over 12 ft wide: front and rear escorts off the Interstate; 1 rear escort on it	Over 14 ft: 2 front and 1 rear off the Interstate (1 and 1 on it); over 16 ft: 2 front and 2 rear (1 front and 2 rear on it)	Over 90 ft off the Interstate or 120 ft on it: 1 rear; over 150 ft: front and rear	24VAC20-82-130; Va. Code 46.2-2901
New Mexico	14 ft wide or more on any highway; 13 ft 6 in on Escort Map Group A routes and 12 ft on Group B routes	NMDOT sets the number of escorts on the permit	Over 110 ft 1 in: 1 escort; over 120 ft 1 in: 2	18.19.8.81-.90 NMAC
Colorado	Depends on the highway's color on CDOT's escort map: 1 front escort over 8 ft 6 in wide on blue routes, over 11 ft on yellow	Front and rear over 11 ft on blue routes; Chapter 6 Special permits get at least front and rear	Over 85 ft on mountainous two-lane highways, 110 ft on other two-lane (front), 115 ft on four-lane (rear)	2 CCR 601-4, Rules 408-411 and 500-505
Utah	Over 12 ft wide on secondary highways or over 14 ft on freeways: 1 pilot escort	Over 14 ft on secondary highways or 16 ft on freeways: 2 pilot escorts	Freeways: over 120 ft, 1; secondary highways: over 105 ft, 1, and over 120 ft, 2	Utah Admin. Code R909-2-14 Table 3, R909-2-24
Arizona	Set route by route: none on Interstates up to 14 ft wide; front and rear from over 10, 11 or 12 ft on narrower routes	14 to 16 ft: 1 rear on Interstates and Phoenix freeways, front and rear on most two-lane routes	No statewide trigger; route entries start between 60 and 110 ft	A.A.C. R17-6-305, R17-6-412 Table 4
Michigan	Set on each permit (Special Provisions 11 and 12); MDOT publishes no numeric triggers for general loads	Mobile homes and building modules over 14 ft wide: front and rear	Over 90 ft on an Interstate: pilot vehicle (Mackinac Bridge Authority)	MDOT T-2 and T-3; MSP Official Order 06-23
Indiana	Over 12 ft 4 in wide, over 110 ft long or over 14 ft 6 in high: 1 escort, in front on undivided highways and behind on divided	14 ft 4 in to 17 ft wide: front and rear, except 1 rear on divided highways	Over 110 ft: 1 escort	Indiana DOR Forms M-204 and M-204S
Minnesota	Over 15 ft wide at the bottom of the load (16 ft at the top): 1 certified rear escort on divided roads	The same widths on undivided roads: certified front and rear escorts	Over 110 ft: 1 rear on divided roads, front and rear on undivided; over 150 ft: front and rear everywhere	Minn. Stat. 169.812; Minn. R. 7455
Iowa	Over 12 ft wide: 1 escort (rear on four-lane, front on two-lane), or amber lights instead up to 14 ft 6 in	Over 18 ft: set case by case on the permit	Over 120 ft: 1 rear escort	761 IAC 511.20
Oklahoma	Over 12 ft wide: 1 escort on every highway, Interstates included (front on two-lane, rear on multi-lane)	Over 14 ft: front and rear on two-lane roads; over 16 ft: front and rear on all roads, and no Interstates	Over 90 ft: 1 front on two-lane roads; over 100 ft: front and rear	OAC 730:50-5-16 to -18; 47 O.S. 14-120.1
Missouri	Over 12 ft 6 in wide: 1 escort, in front on two-lane highways and behind on divided and multilane roads	Over 14 ft: front and rear except on divided highways; over 16 ft: front and rear everywhere plus an extra front escort on two-lane roads	Over 110 ft: 1 rear (except on divided highways); over 150 ft: rear, plus front on two-lane roads	7 CSR 10-25.020; MoDOT escort table (rev. 1/20/2026)
Nebraska	12 to 16 ft wide: 1 escort (front on undivided, rear on divided highways); the rear escort can be replaced by rear amber lights on listed divided routes	Over 16 ft wide or over 150 ft long: front and rear	125 to 150 ft: 1 escort; over 150 ft: 2, on a pre-run route	408 NAC 3-003.19 to 003.21
Arkansas	Over 12 ft wide: 1 front escort, except on controlled-access divided highways of 4 or more lanes	Over 14 ft: 1 rear on those highways, front and rear elsewhere	100 ft or more: 1; over 115 ft: 2 on roads with fewer than 4 lanes	27 CAR 111-205, 111-505
Louisiana	Over 12 ft wide: 1 escort holding a Louisiana Escort Vehicle Permit (front on two-lane, rear on multilane highways)	Over 16 ft wide: Louisiana State Police; over 18 ft: State Police front and rear	90 to 125 ft: 1 rear; over 125 ft: State Police	LAC 73:I.723; LAC 55:I.2309; DOTD permit book
Washington	Over 11 ft wide on two-lane highways: 2 certified escorts, front and rear; on multilane highways the first is 1 rear over 14 ft	Over 20 ft wide on undivided multilane highways: front and rear; WSDOT may add escorts or law enforcement on superloads	Trailer plus load over 105 ft: 1 rear on two-lane highways; over 125 ft: 1 rear on multilane highways	WAC 468-38-100
Oregon	Set by Route Map 2 color: 1 or 2 pilots from just over 8 ft 6 in on some red routes; none on Interstates and multilane highways until 14 ft 1 in (then 1 rear)	2 pilots from 12 ft 1 in on purple routes and 14 ft 1 in on green two-lane routes; over 16 ft, as the permit and district guidelines set	95 ft 1 in: 1 on two-lane highways other than green routes; 120 ft 1 in to 150 ft: 1 rear on multilane, 2 on two-lane	OAR 734-082-0035; Route Map 2 legend
Idaho	Set by route color on ITD's map: over 8 ft 6 in on red routes (1 front), 12 ft 1 in on black routes (1 front), 15 ft 1 in on Interstate routes (1 rear)	Red routes 10 ft 1 in to 12 ft 6 in and black routes 14 ft 1 in to 18 ft: front and rear	Over 75 ft on red routes and over 120 ft on black routes: 1 front	IDAPA 39.03.01.306; ITD Pilot/Escort map (Jan 2025)
Montana	Over 12 ft 6 in wide off the Interstate: 1 front pilot; on the Interstate none until over 16 ft 6 in (then 1 rear)	Over 16 ft 6 in to 18 ft off the Interstate: front and rear; over 18 ft (superload): at least 2 front and 1 rear, or 2 rear on the Interstate	Off the Interstate only: over 150 ft, 1 rear; over 200 ft, front and rear	ARM 18.8.510A, 18.8.511A
Nevada	Over 12 ft wide in daylight: 1 front pilot car on two- and three-lane highways; on four-lane highways none until over 14 ft (then 1 rear)	Over 14 ft on two- and three-lane highways and over 16 ft everywhere: front and rear; over 12 ft at night or in holiday hours: front and rear	Over 110 ft (120 ft with steered rear axles): 1 rear	NAC 484D.670
Mississippi	13 ft wide or more in daylight: a front escort on two-lane roads or a rear escort on divided highways, with rear amber lights on the load; at night from 10 ft	Superloads: two blue-light (law enforcement) escorts at 160 ft long, 15 ft 9 in high or 300,000 lb; MDOT may add escorts on any permit	Over 99 ft: front and/or rear escort; 160 ft and up: two blue-light escorts	MDOT Permit Manual (1/13/2026)
Tennessee	Over 10 ft wide: 1 front escort where the pavement is under 24 ft; otherwise from 12 ft 6 in (1 rear on Interstates and 4-lane highways, 1 front on 2-lane)	Over 13 ft 6 in: front and rear on all highways; over 16 ft a route survey too	Over 90 ft: 1 rear; over 120 ft: front and rear	Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1680-07-01-.06, -.10, -.11
North Carolina	Over 12 ft wide: 1 front escort on two-lane highways, 1 rear on multi-lane	Over 14 ft on two-lane roads: front and rear (Handbook); over 16 ft: three escorts, one of them the State Highway Patrol	Over 110 ft: 1 rear; over 150 ft: front and rear	NCDOT Publication E-9 (Rev 8/24); G.S. 20-119(f)
West Virginia	10 ft 6 in to 12 ft wide: 1 front escort on two-lane highways; on four-lane highways the first is 1 rear from 12 ft 1 in	12 ft 1 in to 14 ft: front and rear on two-lane; 14 ft 1 in to 15 ft: front and rear everywhere; 15 ft 1 in to 16 ft: 3 on two-lane	75 to 95 ft: rear on two-lane; 95 ft 1 in to 100 ft: front and rear on two-lane, rear on four-lane; over 100 ft: front and rear	WVDOH Permit Information sheet (rev. 3-17-2023); 157CSR5 6.14
Maryland	Over 13 ft wide: 1 private escort on any highway (manufactured housing from 14 ft); construction equipment over 12 ft off the Interstate	14 ft or wider: front and rear, 9 AM to 3:30 PM only; 16 ft or wider: police on top	Over 85 ft: 1 escort behind; 140 ft or more: 2	COMAR 11.04.04
Wyoming	14 ft wide or more on two-lane routes, or any part left of the centerline: 2 escorts, front and rear; on the Interstate and divided highways 1 rear from 15 ft	WHP may add escorts by width; moves on both road types need 1 on the Interstate and 2 on the two-lane legs	110 ft or more on two-lane routes: front and rear; 150 ft or more on the Interstate: 1 rear; rear overhang 25 ft or more: 1 rear	WYDOT Rules Ch. 5, Sec. 8-10
North Dakota	Over 14 ft 6 in to 16 ft wide on two-lane highways: 1 pilot car ahead, or flashing amber lights on the load instead; none on four-lane divided highways until over 16 ft	Over 16 ft: front and rear on two-lane highways, 1 following on four-lane divided highways	Over 120 ft: 1 following pilot car	NDAC 38-06-02-03; NDHP Policy 9-15
South Dakota	Over 16 ft wide on the Interstate and over 20 ft on other state trunk highways: 1 escort; on listed Black Hills routes a front escort from 10 ft or 16 ft	Escorts and flaggers when a load takes more than 2 ft of an adjacent lane; the permit may add more	No length trigger published; combinations over 110 ft move in daylight only	ARSD 70:03:01:20, :20.01, :21
Kansas	Over 14 ft wide on any highway: front and rear escorts (the rear may be dropped with warning lights and a rear sign on the load)	Superloads and large structures (over 16 ft 6 in wide or 18 ft high): front and rear, plus one more if a superload must slow at bridges	No length-only trigger; over 125 ft on the Kansas Turnpike needs KTA pre-authorization	K.A.R. 36-45-4, 36-45-8; K.S.A. 8-1921
Wisconsin	Over 15 ft wide on WisDOT's chart, or over 12 ft when the load is longer than 110 ft; any load crossing the centerline needs one	Over 15 to 18 ft and over 110 ft long: 2; over 18 ft: a law enforcement escort is added; over 20 ft: 2 private and 2 law enforcement	Over 140 ft to 160 ft: 1; over 160 ft: 2; over 200 ft: 2 plus law enforcement	Trans 252, 254.15-254.16; WisDOT escort chart (7/9/2018)
Delaware	More than 13 ft to 14 ft wide: 1 escort, behind on multilane highways and in front on two-lane	More than 14 ft: front and rear; more than 15 ft (superload): a Delaware State Police escort as a third	90 ft or more: 1 rear; 100 ft or more: front and rear; 120 ft or more: plus State Police	2 DE Admin. Code 2405-4.6.1
Rhode Island	12 ft up to 14 ft 6 in wide: 1 escort, ahead on undivided highways and behind on divided highways	Over 14 ft 6 in wide: 2 escorts; 15 ft or more of overhang on a two-lane road with a load 12 ft or more wide: 2	Conflict: the rule says 1 from 80 to 90 ft and 2 over 90 ft; RIDOT's FAQ says escorts at 85 ft or more	290-RICR-40-00-1.5.4; RIDOT OSOW FAQ
Vermont	12 ft wide or more: an escort, ahead on undivided highways and behind on divided highways	No published trigger; the Commissioner may require two or more escorts	80 ft or more: an escort; overhang of 15 ft or more: an escort	Vermont DMV Rule 14-050-019; CVO-110
New Hampshire	12 ft up to 14 ft wide: 1 non-police escort, ahead on undivided highways and behind on divided highways	Over 14 ft wide: 2 State Police escorts; a highway or lane closure: 3	90 ft or more: 1 non-police escort; 100 ft or more: a State Police escort too	N.H. Admin. Rules Tra 304.17
Maine	More than 12 ft and less than 16 ft wide: 1 pilot vehicle (12 ft or more on a multi-state permit), ahead on undivided highways and behind on divided	16 ft to under 20 ft wide, or 125 ft to under 150 ft long: 1 pilot plus 1 police escort; 20 ft or 150 ft or more: 2 police plus a pilot	More than 80 ft to under 125 ft: 1 pilot; 125 ft or more: a police escort too	29-250 C.M.R. ch. 157, Secs. 16-18; 29-A M.R.S. 2382

Massachusetts figures are from the Turnpike and Boston highway rule (700 CMR 7.07); MassDOT's statewide escort table was not available in an official document, so it is left out.

Height poles, police escorts and certification

Height, police escort and escort certification rules in 48 states
State	Height	Police escort	Escort certification
New York	14 ft or more: front escort with a height pole 3 in above the load (6 in if over 12 ft wide), running 3,000 ft ahead	Superloads (over 16 ft wide, 16 ft or higher, over 160 ft, 200,000 lb or more): police on top of certified escorts	Yes. Every escort must be a NYS Certified Escort, whatever the driver's home state ($40 DMV written test)
New Jersey	Over 14 ft: utilities and road owners must be notified before the move; no height-pole rule found	Facility rules only: Port Authority crossings, Delaware River Port Authority bridges and Port Street at Port Newark	No. NJDOT has no escort certification and no limit on escort vehicle size or type
Pennsylvania	Over 14 ft 6 in: lead pilot car with a height pole 1,000 to 3,000 ft ahead, and utilities notified 24 hours before	Super loads (over 201,000 lb, 160 ft long or 16 ft wide): State or local police plus at least 1 certified escort	For super loads. Certified escort vehicles may replace State Police up to 18 ft wide and 260 ft long on multi-lane highways
Connecticut	Over 14 ft: 1 front escort; 14 ft 6 in or more: a front pole car	As CTDOT decides at issuance; front and rear State Police when over 13 ft 5 in wide and over 15 ft high, and on superloads	Vehicle rules only: at least 60 in wide, no more than 1.5 ton capacity, roof amber light, radio and OVERSIZE LOAD sign
Massachusetts	No escort height trigger in the Turnpike rule; the Callahan and Sumner tunnels stop at 12 ft 6 in, the other Boston tunnels at 13 ft 6 in	Wider than 16 ft or longer than 135 ft: 2 State Police vehicles in addition to pilot cars	Equipment rules only: two flashing amber lights, 24 in red flags and an OVERSIZE LOAD sign
California	No mandatory height-pole threshold found; CHP escort at 17 ft and up on blue and brown routes	CHP over 16 ft wide on yellow routes or over 15 ft on the others; over 185 ft (yellow, green) or 135 ft (blue, brown)	No state pilot car operator certification found
Florida	Over 14 ft 6 in: front escort with a non-conductive height pole at least 6 in above the load; over 16 ft: law enforcement too	Over 16 ft wide off limited-access roads (2 officers), over 16 ft high, over 250 ft long, and night moves	Yes. Florida-qualified escort (8-hour flagging course, renewed every 4 years) or one from a state with equal standards
Georgia	15 ft 6 in or more: front escort with a height sensor, unless the hauler holds an NJUNS utility ticket	Over 16 ft wide, case by case; Mega Loads of 300,000 lb or more: at least 2 police escorts	Yes. Georgia certification or a reciprocal one (GDOT accepts Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Virginia and Washington)
Illinois	Over 14 ft 6 in: lead escort with a measuring pole	Over 18 ft wide or high, over 200 ft long, or when a bridge analysis calls for it: Illinois State Police, booked 24 working hours ahead	No certification found; escorts must carry $500,000 per occurrence liability coverage
Ohio	Over 14 ft 6 in: lead escort with a height-sensing device	Over 16 ft wide, or any move ODOT judges likely to cause delay, hazard or damage	No certification found; vehicle and equipment rules in ODOT's Operational Guide, Sec. 12
Texas	Over 17 ft: front escort with a height pole; over 18 ft: front and rear	When TxDOT requires it, often inside city limits; Houston District loads over 20 ft wide	No escort-driver certification; anyone directing traffic needs TCOLE traffic-direction training
Alabama	Over 15 ft 6 in: front escort with a height pole	Over 150 ft long and superloads (over 16 ft wide, 16 ft high, 150 ft long or 300,000 lb): at least 2 troopers or police, scheduled after ALDOT pre-approval	Escort drivers must have finished a pilot/escort flagging course equal to Alabama's
Kentucky	Over 14 ft 11 in: lead escort with a height pole; over 15 ft 6 in a route survey is filed too	No police escort trigger found in 601 KAR 1:018 or on KYTC's pages	No escort-driver certification found
South Carolina	16 ft or more: front escort with a height measuring device, plus a route survey certified before the permit issues	Over 16 ft wide: front and rear police; State Transport Police charge $50 an hour per officer (2-hour minimum), booked 48 hours ahead	No escort-driver certification found
Virginia	Over 14 ft 5 in: front escort with a height pole 3 in above the load	Case by case on the permit; required on some narrow bridges for loads over 12 ft wide, booked 24 hours ahead	Yes. Virginia escort certificate (8-hour course, 80% test, $25, valid 5 years) or one from a reciprocal state (North Carolina only)
New Mexico	Over 16 ft: an escort or a second person may have to check each clearance; no height-pole rule found	At NMDOT's discretion, including loads 20 ft wide or more and moves that need counter-flow	The escort vehicle must be certified by NMDOT or DPS (inspected yearly) before it enters New Mexico
Colorado	Over 16 ft: front escort with a height pole no more than 6 in above the load; over 17 ft a signal contractor at signalized intersections	Colorado State Patrol case by case on Chapter 6 Special and Super Load permits	Yes. CDOT-authorized pilot escort certification (4 years) and $1,000,000 liability; certificates from AZ, FL, MN, OK, UT, WA and SC&RA accepted
Utah	Over 16 ft: 2 pilot escorts, the lead with a non-conductive height pole	Over 20 ft wide on freeways, 17 ft on secondary highways, 175 ft long or 17 ft 6 in high: at least 2 Utah Highway Patrol escorts, booked 48 hours ahead	Yes. Certification from a division-authorized program (Utah drivers take a Utah course) and $750,000 insurance
Arizona	Over 15 ft in the 3 AM pre-sunrise window: front escort with a height pole; over 16 ft: utilities must be notified	Where ADOT's route table lists them (all of I-15, for example) and on Class C permits; DPS booked 12 hours ahead	Yes. Escort operators trained and certified to CVSA standards and recertified every 4 years; other states' certificates accepted
Michigan	Over 14 ft 6 in with a front escort: height pole set to clear the load	When MDOT requires it, usually superloads: at least 2 State Police members, booked through MSP Operations	No. MDOT says Michigan does not regulate or certify escort services
Indiana	Over 14 ft 6 in: front escort with a height stick; over 15 ft off the Interstate, a signal contractor with a bucket truck	Over 17 ft wide, and over 200,000 lb unless Interstate-only under 250,000 lb with no slowdowns: Indiana State Police at $43 an hour per trooper	No escort-driver certification found
Minnesota	Height pole over 15 ft 6 in when the permit calls for one; over 16 ft a MnDOT-approved route survey instead of pole cars	Any part of the load left of the centerline on an undivided road: a lead licensed peace officer plus certified escorts	Yes. Minnesota certificate (8-hour class, $180, 4 years) or a reciprocal one from CO, FL, NC, OK, UT, VA or WA
Iowa	Over 14 ft 6 in: front escort with a pole that measures every clearance	No numeric trigger; State Patrol escorts need at least a week's notice, and civilian escorts may not stop traffic	No certification; escort drivers 18 or older with liability insurance of $100,000/$200,000/$50,000
Oklahoma	15 ft 9 in or more: front and rear escorts, a height pole, and every utility and railroad on the route contacted	Highway Patrol (Troop S) on superloads such as loads over 20 ft wide; the escort contract takes 5 to 7 working days	Yes. ODOT escort operator certification (OSU course, 5 years) for every for-hire escort; out-of-state certificates only from reciprocal states
Missouri	Over 15 ft 6 in: a front height-detection vehicle	Highway Patrol over 18 ft wide, 18 ft high or 200 ft long under MoDOT's 2026 pilot (the rule itself says 16 ft, 17 ft and 150 ft)	No escort-driver certification in 7 CSR 10-25.020
Nebraska	Over 14 ft 6 in: a pole car may be required; 16 ft or more: a pole car and a pre-run route survey	No statewide threshold published; set on each permit	No escort-driver certification in 408 NAC 3
Arkansas	Over 15 ft: front pole car with a bar 6 in above the permitted height	When the Permit Section or the Highway Police require it; loads over 20 ft wide move on Sundays only	No certification found; escort companies carry $325,000 combined single limit insurance
Louisiana	Over 15 ft 10 in: pole vehicle ahead of the load; over 16 ft 8 in: a lead pole truck equipped to lift lines	Over 16 ft wide or 125 ft long on state highways, booked with the nearest troop; private escorts may not escort loads over 16 ft wide	Annual Louisiana Escort Vehicle Permit ($10); no driver training certification found
Washington	Over 14 ft 6 in: front escort with a height pole set 3 to 6 in above the load; over 16 ft 6 in the move waits for WSDOT signals approval	No fixed trigger; Washington State Patrol case by case, mainly on superloads and building moves	Yes. Washington pilot/escort certificate (8-hour course, renewed every 3 years), or AZ, CO, GA, MN, NC, OK, UT or VA certification
Oregon	Over 14 ft 6 in: front pilot with a height pole, unless ODOT's signed liability declaration is on file	No Oregon State Police trigger found; ODOT may require a monitored move, billed to the carrier	No pilot operator certification found; certified flaggers (Oregon, Montana, Washington or Idaho card) where the permit calls for flagging
Idaho	Over 16 ft: front escort with a non-metallic height pole, plus extra ITD approval	No fixed trigger; possible law enforcement escorts for Forest Service review loads on US-12	No. No pilot/escort driver certification or reciprocity list in IDAPA 39.03.01
Montana	Over 17 ft: front pilot with a height pole or equivalent device; over 24 ft, a rear pilot too	No law enforcement escort trigger found; superloads notify local police, fire and ambulance services before travel	No. No Montana pilot operator certification or reciprocity list; MDT points to FHWA training materials
Nevada	Over 15 ft 6 in: front pilot car with a clearance pole; a route survey may be required at 18 ft	Super Loads (over 17 ft wide on two- or three-lane roads, 19 ft on four lanes, 18 ft high, 200 ft long or 500,000 lb): Nevada Highway Patrol	Flagger course only: operators 18 or older who have completed a current flagger-procedures course; no state pilot certification
Mississippi	15 ft 7 in or more: height-pole escort; 15 ft 9 in or more: two blue-light escorts as well	May be required from 18 ft wide, and on the superload tiers above	No escort-driver certification, training or insurance requirement found
Tennessee	Over 15 ft: front escort with a height pole; route survey over 15 ft 6 in	Tennessee Highway Patrol over 18 ft wide or 18 ft high: $65 an hour per officer plus $0.13 a mile, 2 officers and 4 hours minimum	No escort-driver certification found
North Carolina	Over 14 ft 5 in: front pole car with a height pole for the whole route	N.C. State Highway Patrol as one of the three escorts over 16 ft wide; otherwise case by case	Yes. NC certificate (8-hour course, 75% exam, valid 4 years) or one from AZ, CO, FL, GA, MN, OK, PA, UT, VA or WA
West Virginia	Over 15 ft: front pole car, Monday to Friday	House and structure moves (verification with the application, 10 days ahead); municipalities may require it for mobile homes	No escort-driver certification found
Maryland	14 ft 6 in or more: pole escort ahead, plus a height clearance route survey	16 ft or more wide or over 75 tons; at SHA's discretion from 65 tons or when traffic must be stopped; booked with the State Police barrack where the trip starts	No escort-driver certification found
Wyoming	Over 17 ft: front escort with a height-measuring device about 1,000 ft ahead	No statewide trigger; heavy loads pay for any state personnel sent to accompany the move	No escort-driver certification found
North Dakota	Over 18 ft: 1 lead pilot car, plus written authority from the utilities; no pole specification published	Over 18 ft wide if the regional commander deems it necessary (required over 18 ft above 200,000 lb unless exempted): $50 an hour plus $0.50 a mile per trooper	No certification; pilot car drivers need a valid license and must be 18 or older
South Dakota	No height escort or pole requirement published; loads over 14 ft 6 in move in daylight only	No law enforcement escort threshold published	No escort-driver certification, training or age requirement published
Kansas	Over 16 ft: front escort with a height pole set 3 in above the load; over 17 ft, notify utilities	The Highway Patrol does not provide escorts; local police only for large structures allowed on the Interstate	Yes. Escort companies register yearly in K-TRIPS, and operators need training from an accepted state (AZ, CO, FL, GA, MN, NC, OK, UT, VA or WA)
Wisconsin	Over 16 ft: a pole vehicle on top of the escorts (no more than two private escorts in total); overhead wire owners notified	Over 18 ft wide, 200 ft long or 350,000 lb; State Patrol booked by email 48 hours ahead and billed to the carrier	No escort-driver certification published; drivers 18 or older with a license valid in Wisconsin
Delaware	15 ft or more: front and rear escorts; 17 ft 6 in or more: a State Police escort too	Superloads and the 120 ft and 17 ft 6 in tiers: Delaware State Police at $78 an hour per trooper plus $18 an hour per car, booked 48 hours ahead	No escort-driver certification found
Rhode Island	Over 13 ft 6 in: escort required per RIDOT's FAQ (no height trigger in the rule)	Building moves: a police escort from each city or town on the route; RITBA bridges set their own conditions	No escort-driver certification found
Vermont	No published height trigger; flaggers may be required where visibility is limited	At the Commissioner's discretion; no published trigger	No escort-driver certification found
New Hampshire	Over 14 ft: 1 non-police escort; over 13 ft 6 in the load is a supermove with a route survey	100 ft or more long (unless waived), over 14 ft wide (2), lane closures (3) and all night moves	No escort-driver certification found
Maine	Over 15 ft: 1 pole car	Mandatory at 125 ft or more long or 16 ft or more wide (State Police on the Interstate) and on night moves; booked with the troop 3 working days ahead	No certification; pilot drivers must be 18 or older and licensed for 2 consecutive years

When the lead escort needs a height pole

A height pole is set a few inches above the load so the lead car finds a low wire, signal or bridge before the load gets there. The thresholds run from 14 ft in New York to over 17 ft in Texas, Montana and Wyoming:

14 ft or moreNew York
Over 14 ft 5 inVirginia (pole 3 in above the load) and North Carolina
14 ft 6 inPennsylvania, Connecticut, Ohio, Illinois, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Maryland and Washington (pole 3 to 6 in above the load); Oregon unless the carrier files ODOT's liability declaration; Nebraska may require one from here
Over 14 ft 11 inKentucky
Over 15 ftArkansas (bar 6 in above the permitted height), Tennessee, West Virginia and Maine; Arizona in its 3 AM pre-sunrise window
15 ft 6 inGeorgia (unless the hauler holds an NJUNS utility ticket), Alabama, Missouri and Nevada; Minnesota when the permit calls for a pole
15 ft 7 inMississippi
15 ft 9 inOklahoma
Over 15 ft 10 inLouisiana
16 ftSouth Carolina, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Kansas (pole 3 in above the load) and Wisconsin
Over 17 ftTexas, Montana and Wyoming (a height-measuring device)
Escort, no pole size givenRhode Island over 13 ft 6 in, New Hampshire over 14 ft, Delaware at 15 ft (front and rear) and North Dakota over 18 ft (a lead pilot car)
No height-pole rule foundNew Jersey (utility notice over 14 ft instead), Massachusetts (none in the Turnpike rule), California, New Mexico, South Dakota and Vermont

Tall loads often need more than a pole. Pennsylvania wants utilities notified 24 hours before a move over 14 ft 6 in, New Jersey voids the permit if utilities and road owners are not told about a load over 14 ft, and New York needs a route survey with utility arrangements at 14 ft and above. On Long Island, low parkway bridges rule out most routes before height poles come into it: see Long Island truck routes and clearances.

What an escort vehicle has to carry

Every state requires an OVERSIZE LOAD sign, amber warning lights and radio contact with the driver, but the sizes differ (the load's own banner and flags are compared in oversize load sign and flag rules). These are the states whose rules give exact figures:

New York

OVERSIZE LOAD sign at least 5 ft x 12 in, amber light bar 43 to 52 in long, wheelbase of at least 100 in, and the NYS Certified Escort insignia on both sides

Texas

Sign 5 to 7 ft long and 12 to 18 in tall with 8 to 10 in black letters on yellow; vehicle 1,000 to 10,000 lb GVW

Ohio

Sign 5 ft x 12 in with 8 in letters; roof amber light visible 1,000 ft in daylight; vehicle rated 1 ton or less

Georgia

Sign at least 1 ft x 6 ft with 8 in letters; roof-mounted amber light; two-way radio

California

Black-on-yellow sign with letters at least 6 in tall, mounted at least 48 in high; vehicle at least 60 in wide; 16 in red flags

Florida

Vehicle of 2,000 to under 26,000 lb GVWR; amber lights visible at 500 ft; OVERSIZE LOAD sign and two 18 in flags

Illinois

Vehicle up to 8,000 lb GVW; amber light visible 500 ft in sunlight; OVERSIZE LOAD sign; radio contact with the driver

Colorado

Roof sign either 5 ft x 10 in with 8 in letters or 7 ft x 18 in with 10 in letters; vehicle up to 16,000 lb GVW and at least 60 in wide; $1,000,000 liability

Minnesota

Rigid roof sign at least 5 ft wide and 10 in high with 8 in letters (bumper-only signs not allowed); 100 in minimum wheelbase; $1,000,000 insurance

Louisiana

Only OVERSIZE LOAD signs are accepted, never WIDE LOAD; amber light base at least 60 in above the road; escorted speed never above 55 mph

Washington

Roof sign OVERSIZE LOAD at least 5 ft x 10 in with 8 in letters; amber light visible 500 ft; vehicle up to 16,000 lb GVWR and 60 to 102 in wide; for-hire operators insured to $100,000/$300,000/$50,000

Oregon

Roof sign OVERSIZE LOAD at least 5 ft x 10 in with 8 in letters; amber lights visible 500 ft, at least 30 flashes a minute; two 18 in red flags; pilots run 300 to 500 ft from the load

Idaho

Roof sign OVERSIZE LOAD 12 in x 5 ft with 8 in letters; amber beacon visible 500 ft; vehicle up to 16,000 lb; 18 in STOP/SLOW paddle and 2 spare signs

Montana

Sign letters at least 8 in, black on yellow; vehicle at least 60 in wide and up to 14,000 lb GVWR; pilots stay within 1,000 ft of the load

Nevada

OVERSIZE LOAD or OVERSIZE sign with 10 in black letters and a 1 5/8 in stroke on yellow; amber light visible 500 ft under a Highway Patrol light permit; vehicle up to 16,000 lb GVWR and at least 60 in wide

Mississippi

OVERSIZE LOAD or WIDE LOAD sign 84 in x 18 in with 10 in letters and a 1-5/8 in stroke; flashing or revolving amber light; two warning flags; two-way radio

Tennessee

OVERSIZE LOAD sign with 10 in letters and a 1 1/2 in stroke; amber light visible 500 ft; vehicle over 2,000 lb and under 18,000 lb GVWR; two 18 in flags and two 5 lb fire extinguishers

North Carolina

WIDE LOAD or OVERSIZE LOAD banner the full width of the bumper with 10 in letters and a 1.5 in stroke; amber light visible 500 ft; vehicle 2,000 to 26,000 lb GVWR; 18 in STOP/SLOW paddle

West Virginia

Yellow OVERSIZE LOAD sign 5 ft x 12 in with 10 in letters and a 1-1/2 in stroke; amber light visible 500 ft; vehicle over 2,000 lb and under 26,001 lb GVWR; two 18 in flags

Maryland

WIDE LOAD or OVERSIZE LOAD sign at least 5 ft x 12 in with 8 in letters; yellow roof light at least 3 in across; escorts stay within 300 ft of the load

Wyoming

OVERSIZE LOAD sign at least 60 in x 10 in with 8 in letters; amber lights at least 4 in across, visible 1,000 ft; two-way radio (phones do not count); escorts about 1,000 ft from the load

North Dakota

Roof sign OVERSIZE LOAD at least 12 in x 60 in with 8 in letters; flashing amber lights at both ends of the sign or one revolving light; radio contact; pilot cars 300 to 700 ft from the load

South Dakota

Revolving amber light or two flashing amber lights at least 4 in across; WIDE LOAD AHEAD or WIDE LONG LOAD signs with 12 in letters and 12 in red or orange flags

Kansas

OVERSIZE LOAD sign at least 5 ft x 12 in with 8 in letters; amber light at least 6 in across, visible 500 ft; vehicle up to 16,000 lb GVWR and 60 to 102 in wide; two 18 in flags; lead escort within 1,000 ft outside cities

Wisconsin

Roof sign OVERSIZE LOAD at least 5 ft x 12 in with 10 in letters and a 1.5 in stroke; at least 2 amber lamps visible 500 ft, flashing 30 to 120 times a minute; vehicle up to 16,000 lb; a lead escort at least 300 ft ahead

Delaware

OVERSIZE LOAD sign at least 5 ft x 12 in with 8 in letters on the roof or front and rear; low-beam headlights; two-way radio; a roof light bar is described but not required

Rhode Island

OVERSIZE LOAD sign at least 5 ft x 12 in with 10 in letters and about a 1.4 in stroke; flashing yellow lights above the highest point of the vehicle; low-beam headlights

Vermont

OVERSIZE LOAD sign at least 5 ft x 12 in with 10 in letters and a 1 1/4 in stroke; flashing amber light above the highest point of the vehicle; two-way radio; low-beam headlights

New Hampshire

OVERSIZE LOAD sign at least 5 ft x 12 in with 10 in letters and a 1.4 in stroke; amber light visible 1,000 ft in all directions; radio on the same frequency as the load and the State Police

Maine

Vehicle under 8,500 lb GVWR; OVERSIZE LOAD sign at least 5 ft x 12 in with 8 in letters and a 1.4 in stroke; two 6 in flashing or two 4 in rotary amber lights, or a 4-light bar; radio good for 1/2 mile

Planning escorts into a move

Measure the load as it will ride. Escort triggers use the loaded width, height and overall length, including overhang. A few inches can change the count: Illinois requires no escort at 14 ft 6 in wide and one escort for anything wider.
Check every state and road owner on the route. The Pennsylvania Turnpike, the NYS Thruway and Boston's tunnels each have their own escort rules on top of the state's. The oversize load checker shows the first trigger in each state at once.
Match certification to the state. A New York permit needs NYS Certified Escorts even for an out-of-state crew; Florida and Georgia accept only their own or reciprocal certificates.
Book police early. Illinois State Police escorts need 24 working hours' notice, and New York superloads need the police contacted 2 business days ahead.
Price it in. Escorts are billed per mile or per day on top of the haul. The heavy equipment transport cost guide shows how they add up with permits and fuel.

Superload lines, where escorts turn into police details and route surveys, are compared state by state on our heavy haul trucking page.

Pilot car questions

What states require certified pilot cars?

Of the 48 states on this page, 12 require escort drivers to be certified or trained: New York, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Washington, North Carolina and Kansas, most accepting some other states' certificates. Pennsylvania requires certified escorts on super loads, Alabama and Nevada a flagging course and New Mexico an inspected escort vehicle. Most of the others, including New Jersey, Ohio, Texas and California, have no driver certification.

When does a load need a height pole?

When it is tall enough that the lead escort has to check clearances before the load reaches them. New York requires a pole at 14 ft, set 3 in above the load (6 in if the load is over 12 ft wide). Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Ohio, Illinois and Florida start at 14 ft 6 in, Georgia at 15 ft 6 in and Texas over 17 ft.

When is a police escort required?

Usually only for the largest loads or specific crossings. Pennsylvania requires police on super loads (over 201,000 lb, 160 ft or 16 ft wide), Illinois over 18 ft wide or 200 ft long, Massachusetts over 16 ft wide or 135 ft long on the Turnpike, and New Jersey on Port Authority crossings and Port Street at Port Newark. Police escorts are booked separately and often need 24 to 48 hours' notice.

Does the escort drive in front of the load or behind it?

Most of these states put a single escort in front on two-lane roads and behind on multi-lane highways: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, Illinois and Texas all follow that pattern, and Connecticut uses a rear escort on divided highways. Height-pole cars always lead, because they have to find a low wire or bridge before the load does.

What is the going rate for a pilot car?

Escort companies set their own prices. One Virginia pilot car company's published 2026 starting rates were $1.95 to $2.15 a mile for a lead or chase car, $2.25 to $2.50 a mile with a height pole, and $575 to $775 a day. Those are one vendor's prices, not a market average; our cost guide shows how escorts fit into the total.

Who books the pilot cars on a heavy haul move?

Whoever plans the move against the permit. On loads HTS books, we read the escort conditions on each state's permit, arrange escorts that meet them (certified ones where the state requires it) and build them into the quote. The carrier's driver and the escorts then run the move together under the permit's route and travel times.

Sources

Facts on this page were checked in October 2026 against the sources below. Rules and rates change; we confirm current requirements on every move.

Moving a load that needs escorts?

Send the load's width, height, length and weight and the route. We check each state's escort rules, arrange the escorts the permits call for and include them in the quote.

FMCSA-licensed property broker, MC# 1178470
Permits, escorts and route surveys arranged for each move
Carriers checked for authority, insurance and safety record
Commercial shippers, dealers, contractors and auction buyers

Prefer to talk? Call (631) 683-8275.