Pilot Car Regulations
California Pilot Car Regulations
Guidelines for California pilot car, escort car, and flag car regulations. Always confirm current requirements with the permit office.
Verify before you move: This information comes from our previous website and hasn't been re-checked yet. Rules change often — always confirm with the
California permit office before you dispatch.
Road conditions
- 800-427-7623
- https://www.highwayconditions.com/ca/
When Permit Is Needed
- Over 8'6" wide
- Over 14' high
- Over 80,000 lbs
- Overlength-see size and weight manual. Can be downloaded from the Caltrans website (www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/permits/manual.htm)
Special Information Needed
- Name, address
- Load description & dimensions
- Truck info
- Route (add directions to the route- east, west, north, south)
- Also need junction onto highways
When Pilot/Escort Vehicle is Required
- All loads over 12’ wide-1 or 2 (depending on route)
- Length over 85’ to 135’ (over 100’ in LA county & LA city)-1 front/1 rear
- Height poles are not a Caltrans requirement. If requested by a permittee, a pilot car will be permitted and identified as a permittee request.
- Overhang (front or rear) 25’ or more-1 pilot or more
- Must check permit for escort requirements, depending on location; may need escort for under 12' wide. Pilot car maps may be downloaded from the Caltrans website
- Pilot Car Maps
- Pilot Car Chart
Times Of Movement
- 24 hrs a day 7 days a week unless: an escort is required or load exceeds a 2 vehicle configuration or exceeds green loading weight or a detour is needed-- then travel is restricted to 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset
- Travel prohibited (unless exempted by permit) on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving weekend, Christmas Day. If a holiday falls on a Friday or Monday, travel is prohibited during the weekend.
- Curfews: Loads 10’ or move in width are restricted from traveling M-F at the following times:
- Los Angeles & surrounding areas 6:00-9:00am 3:00-6:00pm
- Sacramento & surrounding areas 7:00-9:00am 4:00-6:00pm
- San Diego & surrounding areas 7:00-9:00am 4:00-6:00pm
- San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge* 6:30-9:00am 3:30-6:30pm
- San Francisco & surrounding areas 7:00-9:00am 4:00-6:00pm
- *CHP needed when load is over 15’ wide on 2-lane; 16’ on yellow routes
Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle
- A vehicle at least 60” wide
- Signs: “OVERSIZE LOAD” sign shall be 48” (min.) from ground; shall be legible at 45 degrees from either side/front & back, Yellow background w/ letters 6” high (min.); brush stroke 1” (min.), 440 sq.”
- Lights: Flashing amber warning lights visible 360 degrees
- Flags: At least 1 red warning flag on each side of vehicle; must be at least 16” square; must be visible from the front & rear
- Additional equipment: 1 “STOP/SLOW” paddle; 1 orange vest/shirt/jacket; 1 red emergency flag (24” square); a 2-way radio/communication device
Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator
- At least 18 & properly licensed
- CHP Divisions- Phone Address City Zip
- Northern Division (530) 242-4300 2485 Sonoma St. Redding 96001
- Valley Division (916) 464-1450 11336 Trade Center Dr. Rancho Cordova 95742
- Central Division (559) 277-7250 5179 N. Gates Ave. Fresno 93722
- Southern Division (818) 240-8200 411 N. Central Ave., #410 Glendale 91203-2020
- Border Division (858) 650-3600 9330 Farnham St. San Diego 92123
- Coastal Division (805) 549-3261 4115 Broad St., #B-10 San Luis Obispo 93401
- Inland Division (909) 806-2400 847 E. Brier Dr. San Bernardino 92408