Pilot Car Regulations
Iowa Pilot Car Regulations
Guidelines for Iowa 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
Iowa permit office before you dispatch.
Road conditions
- (515)288-1047-Road conditions
- http://www.511ia.org/ (Construction/Closure maps)
When Permit Is Needed
- Over 8'6" wide
- Over 13'6" high (14' high auto transporters)
- Trailer over 53' long
Special Information Needed
- Registered weight
- Overhang
- Overweight-(must be registered for amt of weight being hauled w/ copy of cab card sent to state as proof)
Times Of Movement
- One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset
- (24 hours/ day 7 days a week if not over 11' wide, 100' long, or 14'6" high)
- No travel on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day (beginning at noon on the last weekday preceding the holiday including holidays that fall on Monday)
- Curfews: Des Moines I-235 from 7:00-9:00am & from 4:00-6:00pm M-F
When a Pilot/Escort Vehicle is Required
- Pilot Car Info-p.10
- On all highways: height exceeds 14'4"-20’ 1 escort w/ height pole; over 16’ high power & utility companies must be contacted & must accomopany load or carrier must carry letter of clearance from them.
- Over 120’ long-1 rear
- On 2- lane highways: Over 12’0”and including 14'6"-1 front pilot
- On 4- lane highways/interstates: Over half tthe roadway; up to & including 14’6” wide-1 rear (or amber light/strobe light)
- Over 14’6” to 16’6”wide-1 rear pilot (or amber light/strobe light)
- Over 16'6"-18’ wide-1 rear pilot
Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle
- General: a mid-size automobile or motor truck
- Signs: “OVERSIZE LOAD” sign at least 18” x 7’ with a minimum of 12” w/ black letters,11/2” stroke, on a yellow background, and mounted on the front/rear bumper or on top of vehicle
- Lights: an amber strobe or flashing light with at least a 100-candlepower lamp providing 360o warning. Mobiles: must display amber strobe/revolving light on rear & 1 on towed vehicle
- Flags: An 18-inch by 18-inch red or orange fluorescent flag shall be mounted on each corner of the front bumper of the escort vehicle.
- Additional equipment: Height pole for all loads exceeding 14’ 4”
Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle Driver
- A person aged 18 or over who possesses a valid driver’s license which allows driving unaccompanied, has a properly equipped vehicle, and who carries proof of public liability insurance in the amounts of $100,000/$200,000/$50,000.
- Dept. of Transportation Permits Office-Hours: 7am-4:30pm M-F; 8:00am-4:00pm Sat; Closed Sunday
Dept. of Transportation
Motor Carrier Services
Park Fair Mall, 100 Euclid Ave
- PO Box 10382
- Des Moines, IA 50306