Pilot Car Regulations
Idaho Pilot Car Regulations
Guidelines for Idaho 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
Idaho permit office before you dispatch.
Road conditions
- (888)432-7623-511 info-Road conditions
- https://ow.511.idaho.gov/@-115.6969,45.6022,7?show=winterDriving,weatherWarningsAreaEvents,truckersReports,truckRamps,weighStations,otherStateInfo
When Permit Is Needed
- Over 8'6" wide,
- Over 14' high,
- Trailer over 48' long,
- Over 80,000 lbs
Special Information Needed
- No additional info needed
Times Of Movement
- ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.
- If 10' wide or less, travel is allowed 24-7
- Loads 10’ wide/14’6” high/100’ long on 2-lane or 120’ long on 4-lane may travel 24/7
- Restricted holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, & Christmas. Permit office closed those days plus Washington’s Birthday, Columbus Day & Veteran’s Day.
When Pilot/Escort Vehicle is Required
- Pilot Car Info-chapter 12
- 2-lane highways:
- 1 front if over 12' wide or 16' high,
- 1 rear if over 100' long,
- 2 (front & rear) if over 14' wide.
- On interstates:
- 1 rear if over 15' wide or 115' long,
- 1 front if over 16' high.
- Oversize loads which individually would require an escort can travel in convoy (not over 4 loads & not mobile homes) maximum dimensions for convoy units on interstate or black coded routes: 14'6" wide, 115' long. On red coded routes: 12'6" wide & 100' long
Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle
- General: Passenger car/ light truck/vehicle authorized by the Vehicle Size & Weight Specialist not exceeding 16,000 pounds.
- Signs: 5’ x 12”; black letters (8” high x 1” stroke) on yellow background--”OVERSIZE LOAD”
- Lights: Flashing or rotating amber lights mounted at each end of the required sign above the roof. As an alternative a pilot/escort vehicle may display one (1) rotating or flashing amber beacon visible from a minimum of 500’ feet
- Flags: None required
- Additional equipment: 18” STOP/SLOW paddle sigh; 3 bi directional emergency reflective triangles; 1-5lb. B,C, fire extinguisher; a reflectorized orange vest/shirt/jacket; 2 additional “OVERSIZE LOAD” signs; non-metallic height pole; 2-way radio
- http://itd.idaho.gov/dmv/poe/pilot.pdf
Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator
- Valid driver’s license
- Department of Transportation Permits Office Hours: 7am-5pm MT
- Idaho Transportation Department
- 3311 W. State St. or PO Box 7129
- Boise, ID 83707-1129
- Division of Motor Vehicles/Port of Entry & Overlegal Permits
- (208)334-8000