Pilot Car Regulations
Maine Pilot Car Regulations
Guidelines for Maine 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
Maine permit office before you dispatch.
Road conditions
- (866)282-7578-Road conditions
- http://www.511maine.com/default.asp?display=roadConditions&area=ME_statewide&textOnly=False&date= (Road conditions map)
- http://www.511maine.com/default.asp?display=vehicleRestrictions&area=ME_statewide&textOnly=False&date= (Road restrictions)
When Permit Is Needed
- Over 8'6" wide
- Over 13'6" high
- Trailer over 48' long
- Over 80,000 lbs.
Special Information Needed
- RW, # axles
Times Of Movement
- 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset
- Travel prohibited New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day (and the day after), Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
When Pilot/Escort Vehicle is Required
Needed if:
- More than 80’ long or more than 12’wide
- State Police Escorts [(207)624-7000]Needed When;
- 124' or more long
- 16' or more wide
- Extreme heights
Mobiles & Modulars On 2 Lane Highways:
- 12' to 14'6" wide- 1 front
- 14'6" to 16'8" wide- 2 (front & rear)
On Multi-Lane Highways:
- 12' to 16'8" wide-1 rear
- Convoy of 2 and 1st stop of opportunity from the traveled exit ramp up to 2 miles
Police Escort:
- When deemed necessary by ME Sec. of State with advice from Commissioner of Transportation
- If mobile homes are over 16' wide at the base and over 16'8" wide at any other point
- http://www.state.me.us/sos/bmv/commercial/olperms.htm
Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle
- General: Light truck or automobile
- Signs: “OVERSIZE LOAD” black letters (8” high/1.4” brush stroke/1” min. Border around letters) on yellow background; 5’ x 12”; on rear bumper when following load/front bumper when preceding load
- (could be mounted on roof)
- Lights: Amber flashing (2 at least 6” in diameter), rotary (2 at least 4” in diameter)or light bar (a min. of 4 flashing, strobe, combination)--extreme top left & right or left to right
- Flags: no stipulations
- Additional equipment: 2-way radio w/ 1 mile radius;
Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator
- Must be at least 18 years of age; must have had an operators license for 2 consecutive years
- Dept. of Transportation Permits Office- Office hours: 7:30am-5:00pm EST; M-F
- Overlimit Permit Unit
- Bureau of Motor Vehicles (mail-allow a week for processing)
- 29 State House Station
- 101 Hospital Street
- Augusta, ME 04333-0029
- (207)624-9318; fax: (207)622-5332
- http://www.state.me.us/sos/bmv/commercial/homepage.shtml
- Main Office (walk-in)
- 101 Hospital Street
- Augusta, Maine
- Fax:(207) 622-5332
- http://www.maine.gov/overlimit