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Pilot Car Regulations

Kansas Pilot Car Regulations

Guidelines for Kansas 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 Kansas permit office before you dispatch.

Road conditions

When Permit Is Needed

  • Over 8'6" wide
  • Over 14' high
  • Trailer over 59'6" long

Special Information Needed

  • Truck VIN (last 5)
  • Registered weight
  • KCC# & KS fuel # (for o/w only)

Times Of Movement

  • 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset 7 days a week (even holidays); could be special conditions but will be noted on permit
  • Niight movements allowed for overweight-only loads
  • Permit office closed on the following holidays: New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day

When Pilot/Escort Vehicle is Required

  • https://sos.ks.gov/publications/pubs_kar_Regs.aspx?KAR=36-45-8
  • All highways:
  • Width more than 14'- 1 front, 1 rear
  • Mobile homes over 12'6"- 1 front, 1 rear
  • Super loads: 1 front, 1 rear. If the permit requires the superload to slow down at bridges, an additional escort vehicle shall be required. The rear EV may be eliminated if all of the following conditions are met:
  • (A) A warning light is attached to the top of the load.
  • (B) A warning light is attached to the rear of the load no less than two feet but no more than eight feet above the surface of the road.
  • (C) A warning sign meeting the requirements of K.S.A. 8-1911(l)(1), and amendments thereto, is attached to the rear of the load.
  • Height exceeding 16’-height pole

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle

  • General: Passenger car or 2-axle truck; min. insurance required by state in which vehicle is licensed; min. 60” wide/102” max.; less than 16000 lb. GVW; rear-view mirror on each side of vehicle.
  • Signs: “OVERSIZE LOAD” sign attached to front or top of vehicle; 12” x 5’ yellow w/ black letters 8” high w/ 1 1/8” brush stroke; visible 500’
  • Easily visible sign on both sides of vehicle displaying name of vehicle operator.
  • Lights: 2 amber flashing lights (6” or larger) or one rotating or oscillating light on top of vehicle; visible 1000’;
  • Flags: 2 vehicle flags red or orange in color and at least 18 inches square.
  • Communication equipment: 2-way communication device capable of transmitting and receiving signals at least 1/2 mile
  • Additional equipment: 18” or 24” STOP/SLOW paddle sign; 8 bidirectional reflective triangles; 8 red-burning flares; 3 orange 18” high cones; orange hard hat; height pole (non-conductive, flexible or frangible material); first aid kit; full-size spare tire; tire jack & lug wrench; hard hat; orange vest/jacket; 2(min.) 2-24” red/orange hand-held flags; 1 5lb. B,C, fire extinguisher

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator

  • https://sos.ks.gov/publications/pubs_kar_Regs.aspx?KAR=36-45-2
  • Drivers of vehicles that intend to escort superloads within Kansas shall register annually before
  • operating in Kansas. Registrants must:
  • 1. Possess a valid drivers license
  • 2. Maintain the required insurance
  • 3. Have successfully completed an escort vehicle training course from AZ,CO,FL,MN,NC,OK,UT,VA,or WA.
  • 4. Be at least 18 years of age
  • 5. Have a driving history without any conviction of driving while impaired, driving recklessly, or both within 36 months before operating any escort vehicle.
  • 6. Complete and submit a trip report. View & print escort trip report
  • Dept. of Transportation Permits Office-Hours: 7:30am-5pm M-F
  • Kansas Trucking Connection
  • 1500 Southwest Arrowhead
  • Topeka, Kansas 66614
  • (785)271-3145
  • http://www.ksdot.org/burtrafficeng/KTC/default.asp