Georgia Pilot Car Regulations

Road conditions

• (404)624-7700 Road conditions
• 511ga.org
• https://dps.georgia.gov/road-conditions

When a Permit is needed

• Over 8’6” wide
• Over 13’6” high
• Over 100’ long
• Over 80,000 gross weight

Special Information Needed

• Insurance company: name, policy number, expiration date
• IFTA # if you have one

Times of Movement

• 1/2 hour after sunrise to 1/2 hour before sunset; Monday-Saturday

No Sunday travel

• Permitted loads in excess of 12’ wide - No Travel when visibility is less than 600’ or windspeed is greater than 25 mph
• Prohibited holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, & Christmas
• No travel into/through Atlanta area bounded by I-285 unless picking up or delivering in the city. Curfews: 7-9am & 4-6pm; M-F

When Pilot/Escort Vehicle is Required

• 2-lane/2-way traffic highways:
• 1 front when over 12’ wide
• 14’6”-16’ -1 front/1 rear
• Multi-lane highways:
• 1 rear/amber light if over 12’ wide
• 1 rear 14’6”-16’
• All roads & highways:
• Over 16’ wide 1 front/1 rear
• 1 rear/amber light when over 75' long.
• 1 rear when 100’-125’
• 2 (front & rear) when over 125'
• 1 front w/height pole when over 15'6" high.
• *15’+ high requires a front escort w/ height sensor when traveling through larger cities where traffic signals may be encountered.

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle

• General: Must be a pickup or an automobile
• Signs: Mounted on front of front escort/on back of rear escort. Size: 6’ x 1’; black letters 8” x 4” (min.) on orange or federal yellow background saying “OVERSIZE LOAD”
• Lights: Amber light or strobe light (8” in diameter min.) located on top of vehicle w/ candlepower of 35,000 (min.) and 80 revolutions/min. or equivalent 4” strobe light visible at least ¼ mile
• *Need a permit from DPS, PO Box 101072, Atlanta, GA 30392; (678)413-8786 (fee: $2.00/year)
• Amber Light Permit Application
• Flags: Color-Red; Size-18” square; Mounting locations-Top of vehicle 45 degree angle, not extending more than 6” beyond vehicle.
• Additional equipment:
• 1. 2-way radio;
• 2. Outside rear-view mirrors, located on each side of the vehicle
• 3. Stop/Slow Paddle: the sign shall be at least 18”x 18” ( or a 24”x 24” sign or high-intensity flashing stop/slow paddle) with 6 inch high letters, octagonal, and should be mounted on a rigid handle. Must be reflective for night moves;
• 4. Safety Helmet
• 5. Vest or high visibility clothing-orange, yellow, yellow green or fluorescent versions of these colors.
• 6. 9 (at least) bi-directional retroreflective triangles-minimum 17”arm length & minimum arm width of 2”.
• 7. 8 red-burning flares, glow sticks or equivalent illumination device.
• 8. 3 orange cones-18” high
• 9. 1 fire extinguisher-5 lb. Min-Type “BC” or “ABC”
• 10. Traffic wand flashlight w/ safety nose cone + spare batteries
• 11. 1st Aid Kit-clearly marked
• 12. Serviceable spare tire
• 13. Escort vehicle id sign-minimum 8” x 12”-displayed on each side of vehicle (name, city & state of company/owner of vehicle)
• 14. 2 (min.) Red flags mounted to the top of vehicle
• http://www.dot.ga.gov/PartnerSmart/permits/Documents/StudentWorkbook.pdf

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator

• Escort vehicle operators will be required to obtain an approved certification prior to performing duties of an escort vehicle. Must complete a defensive driving course approved by the national safety council, or an equivalent course.
• Dept. of Transportation Permits Office-Hours: 7am-4:45pm M-F ET
• Dept. of Motor Vehicle Safety
• Office of Permits
• Building 24, Suite 400
• 935 E. Confederate Ave.
• Atlanta, GA 30316
• (888)262-8306 (permit customer service)
• (404)635-8176 (main office)
• fax-(404)635-8509
• http://www.dot.ga.gov/PS/Permits/OversizePermits