British Columbia Pilot Car Regulations

• *Towing vehicle must be equipped with and operate an amber flashing light.
• Note: Maximum overall length allowed on Highway 97 north of Junction 77, North of Fort Nelson is 36 metres.
• Second pilot car not required on Highway #77.
• **Additional Pilot Cars may be required depending on actual size of load and route of travel.

One pilot car is required:

• (b) To the front when only the load projects more than 3 metres beyond the turning axis (kingpin)
• (iii) To the front when only the load, boom or carne projects more than 6.5 metres forward of the turn center (front steering axle)
• (iv) To the rear when only the rear overhang is more than 6.5 m beyond the turn center (exceptions cranes, mobile homes measured from center of last axle)

RADIO COMMUNICATIONS:

• Radios to be used should either be 40 channel CB (GRS) radios or 128 channel (minimum) VHF radios. If possible, carry a spare radio and extra batteries

SIGNS:

• REQUIRED ON OVERSIZE VEHICLE/LOAD
• (a) Up to and including 3.2 m wide: NOT REQUIRED
• (b) Over 3.2 m wide and up to 3.5 m WIDE LOAD, D Sign, or OVERSIZE LOAD sign required front and rear.
• (c) Over 3.5 m wide: Wide Load, oversize load or D Sign required front and rear and on Pilot Car.
• (d) Over 25 m to 27.5 m: Required front and rear LONG LOAD, OVERSIZE LOAD, or “D” sign
• (e) Over 27.5 m: Required front and rear LONG LOAD, OVERSIZE LOAD or D signs and on Pilot Car.
• Signs must comply with Division 8 of the Regulations.
• By policy, D signs are acceptable at a width not less than 150 cm similar to oversize, long and wide load signs.

The following are conditions where it may be appropriate to control traffic from within a pilot car:

• • Daylight hours only
• • Short duration (15 minutes or less)
• • Good sight distances for approaching vehicles in both directions
• • Work on a two-lane highway
• • No adjacent or nearby intersections or accesses
• • Low traffic volumes
• • Traffic control only needs to direct to stop or proceed

Flagging from inside a Pilot Car requires the following equipment:

• • Retro-reflective hand held stop/slow C-027 paddle
• • Optional instead of hand help stop/slow sign: Vehicle-mounted stop R-001 sign as
• per section 4.2.1
• • The appropriate Class 2 safety apparel as per Section 5 of the Traffic
• Management Manual for Work on Roadways

The following signs and devices must be carried:

• • One (1) Stop/slow C-027 paddle per crew member - (Illuminated traffic stop
• paddles, with LEDs around the perimeter of the sign, are an acceptable
• enhancement for stop/slow C-027 paddle as per WorkSafeBC Occupational
• Health and Safety Regulation Guidelines Part 18, Section 9a)
• • One (1) illuminated baton with light that appears red or flashlight fitted with a red
• signalling wand, per crew member
• • Two (2) Road Work Ahead C-018-3A signs, in fluorescent pink or fluorescent
• orange, with necessary supports
• • At least five (5) channelizing devices (tubular markers, barrels, or cones), to form
• Pilot car crews should also carry the following additional equipment, especially crews escorting very large or very heavy loads.
• • Two (2) Traffic Control Person Ahead C-001-1 signs
• • Two (2) Prepare to Stop C-029 signs
• • Temporary sign support for each sign
• • Five (5) additional channelizing devices to form tapers

Recommended additional equipment:

• • First aid kit
• • Fire extinguisher
• • Tape measure or other measuring equipment (minimum 8 m/25’)
• • Personal items: Drinking water, food, extra clothing, blanket, medication
• • General tool kit with pliers, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.
• • Jumper cables
• • Motor oil, coolant, windshield fluid, etc.
• • Extra “Oversize Load” and “Wide Load” or “D” sign, meeting the requirements from
• Section 8.03 of the Commercial Transport Regulations, with hardware for
• attaching it to a load

Provincial Permit Centre

1-800-559-9688,

Email: PPCPermit@gov.bc.ca

6 am to 10 pm, 7 days per week (PST/PDT)

• Closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day