Home/Pilot Car Regulations/Florida
Pilot Car Regulations

Florida Pilot Car Regulations

Guidelines for Florida 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 Florida permit office before you dispatch.

Road conditions

  • www.highwayconditions.com/fl/
  • Road Conditions-Live only or 511
  • (800)292-3368-Southwest Florida only
  • (800)749-2967-Lake City
  • (800)207-8236-Jacksonville
  • (800)780-7102-District 5
  • (800)435-2368-District 6
  • (800)226-7220-District 7
  • (800)749-7453-Florida Turnpike
  • (800)475-0044-Interstate 75
  • https://data.fdot.gov/road/projects/ (interactive highway construction map)

When Permit Is Needed

  • Over 8'6" wide
  • Over 13'6" high
  • Trailer over 53' long

Special Information Needed

  • Overweight- gross wt, # of axles, axle load, axle spacing and manufactured tire limit
  • Make and year of mobile home
  • Seal and container #

Times Of Movement

  • Movement is permitted during daytime hours only, excluding holidays. Weekend travel allowed for overweight only
  • Prohibited holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, & Christmas and days of observation other than calendar date as well as additional days of observation before/after date
  • Curfews noted on permit

When Pilot/Escort Vehicle is Required

All roadways:

  • Over 12' up to 14' wide (if pavement is 24' or larger wide)-1 front
  • Over 12' wide (if pavement is less than 24' wide)-1 front/1 rear
  • Over 14' to 16' wide (each lane must be 12' wide)-1 front/1 rear
  • Over 16’ wide-Limited access facility:(daytime)2 escorts /(nighttime) 1 escort + 1 law enforcer
  • State maintained roadways: 2 law enforcement escorts at all times.
  • Over 22’ wide- Route survey
  • ***
  • Over 95' long- 1 rear
  • Over 95' long- 1 rear
  • Over 150’ (limited access facility) 1 escort; other roadways-2 escorts
  • Over 250’ long-1 escort & 1 law enforcer
  • ***
  • Height up to 14’6”-Travel all days/all hours
  • 14' 6" high to 16’ high-Daytime hours only, excluding holidays/ 1 front w/ height pole
  • Over 18’-route survey verifying clearance + 6”; Daytime hours only; 1 escort + 1 law enforcer

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle

  • Vehicle 2000 lbs.-26000 lbs GVW licensed & operated by a qualified escort/pilot
  • Bumper or roof mounted signs or both (“OVERSIZE LOAD”): yellow w/ black letters 10” high w/ brush stroke 1½ wide visible from front and rear.
  • Placards or signs (8” x 12” min.) on both sides of vehicle showing name of company or owner or driver of vehicle w/ name & phone # of owner/driver
  • Class 2 amber warning lights mounted so visible to all approaching traffic at a distance of at least 500’.
  • 2 flags (red or fluorescent orange) 18” x 18” min. Mounted 40-70 degree angle on roof rack
  • Additional equipment:
  • 2-way communications device;
  • 1-5 lb. or larger fire extinguishers;
  • “STOP/GO” or “STOP/SLOW” paddle (18” x 18”) w/ 6” high letters;
  • safety orange vest/shirt/jacket; class 2 for daytime moves,class 3 for night moves;
  • 1-12” x 12” hand-held flag (red or fluorescent orange);
  • 2 “OVERSIZE LOAD” banners (yellow w/ black letters) (7’ long x 18” high) in case permitted load/vehicle loses sign;
  • Hard hat;
  • 3 reflective triangles/36” traffic cones;
  • Height pole

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator

  • Must be one of the following:
  • FL law enforcement officer in enforcement vehicle
  • Person meeting the following requirements:
  • Must have successfully completed the FDOT Pilot/Escort Flagging course (re-qualification required every 4 years)
  • Must have a valid CDL class A, B, or C or successfully completed the NSC 8-hour Defensive Driving course
  • Must be at least 18 yrs. of age
  • A person qualified by another state’s authorizing agency

Flagging course offered by:

  • Florida Technology Transfer Ctr.
  • University of Florida
  • PO Box 116587
  • Gainesville, FL 32611-6587
  • (352)392-273-1670/ fax-352-392-3224
  • Dept. of Transportation Permits Office Hours: 7:30 am-5 pm ET

Dept. of Transportation-Permit Section

  • Office Motor Carrier Compliance
  • 1815 Thomasville Rd.
  • Tallahassee, FL 32303
  • 850-617-3010
  • http://fdot.gov

Pilot car info: