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Pilot Car Regulations

Massachusetts Pilot Car Regulations

Guidelines for Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts permit office before you dispatch.

Road conditions

When Permit Is Needed

  • Over 8'6" wide
  • Over 13'6" high
  • Trailer over 53’ long;
  • Over 80,000 lbs.

Special Information Needed

  • N/A

Times Of Movement

  • All over dimensional and overweight vehicles may travel Monday 12:01am-12:00 noon Saturday; until noon Sunday
  • Vehicles between 12' and 14' wide, over 80' but not longer than 115' & not over 14' high may travel during daylight hours only (except between the hours of 3:30-7:00pm)
  • Vehicles over 14’ wide and/or over 115’ long may travel only on Tuesday-Thursday from 9:30am-3:30pm.
  • Travel prohibited on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day (starts at noon the day before the holiday and ends at noon the day after)
  • Permit office closed on the above holidays plus Martin Luther King Day, Evacuation Day, Washingtob’s Birthday, Patriot’s Day, Bunker Hill Day, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day
  • Cufews & restrictions: MA has many turnpike/toll restrictions. For travel times/sizes contact MA Turnpike (781)431-5000 (M-F; 8am-4:45pm)

When Pilot/Escort Vehicle is Required

  • On All Highways:
  • 80' to 95' long-1 rear
  • Over 95' long-2 (front & rear)
  • Over 115' long-MA state police & 2 (front & rear)
  • Width 12' to 13'6"-1 rear
  • Over 13'6" wide-2 (front & rear)
  • Over 13'6" high (depending on route)-1 front
  • Over 13'11" high (depending on route)-2 (front & rear)
  • Over 13'8" height survey
  • In Boston:
  • If over legal dimensions- at least 1 escort & usually city police
  • On Massachusetts Turnpike:
  • Over 12' wide- 1 rear
  • Over 13'- 2 (front & rear)
  • Over 15'- 2 (front & rear & 2 police)
  • Over 80' long-1 rear
  • Over 85'- 2 (front & rear)
  • Over 135'- 2 (front & rear & 2 police)

On Cape Cod:

  • Width over 12’-at least 1 (state police)

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle

  • General: Light truck or passenger car
  • Signs: “OVERSIZE LOAD” sign
  • Lights: 2 flashing amber lights visible from front & rear
  • Flags: 24” square red flags on right & left rear
  • Additional equipment: None stipulated
  • Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator N/A

Dept. of Transportation Permits Office