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Pilot Car Regulations

Montana Pilot Car Regulations

Guidelines for Montana 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 Montana permit office before you dispatch.

Road conditions

  • (800)226-7623-Road conditions

When Permit Is Needed

  • Over 8'6" wide
  • Over 14' high
  • Trailer over 53' long

Special Information Needed

  • Name of insurance company
  • City, state, policy #, expiration date
  • RW (registered weight)
  • US DOT #
  • Do you have authority in Montana? (if not you need fuel & trip)
  • How many days on the permit? Limits of liability, overhang

Times Of Movement

  • Continuous travel is allowed for loads not over 10' wide (9'6" for baled hay & hay racks)
  • 14'6"high, 75' long w/ overhang,110' long w/ no overhang on non-interstate
  • Non reducible 10' or less may travel on interstates
  • Daylight travel only, 7 days a week, for loads not exceeding 18 wide, 18' high (over 17’ high must have Helena approval), 120' long
  • w/ overhang,110' w/o overhang on non-interstate
  • Daylight travel only Mon.-3pm Fri. (no travel from 3pm Friday until sunrise Mon.) for loads that exceed 18' wide,120' long and 18' high (over 17’ high must have Helena approval) Exceptions: implements of husbandry
  • Travel prohibited on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas
  • (If holiday falls on weekend or Friday-no travel on F-Sun; if holiday falls on Monday-no travel Sat-M; if holiday falls on T-Th-no travel only on that day)

When Pilot/Escort Vehicle is Required

A. On interstate:

  • Over 16'6” wide- 1 rear
  • Over 120' long- 1 rear

B. On 2-lane or multi-lane non-interstate:

  • Over 12'6” to 16’6” wide- 1 front
  • Vehicle or load exceeds 16’6”'- 2 (front & rear)
  • Over 110' long- 1 rear
  • Over 10' wide & not equipped with lights & signs- 2 (front & rear)
  • Over 17' high (before permit- route survey)

C. Convoys:

  • No more than 5 OS/OW loads needing escorts may convoy if width not over 14' (or 15' w/ projections and not over 120' long)- 2 (front & rear); not more than 5 may convoy if length of any unit is over 110' long on interstate highways
  • D. 32-j movement (movement of large & unusual objects not covered by other rules/regulations of DOT)
  • Class 1: Over 18’ wide-34’ wide; over 17’ high-24’ high; over 150’ long-200’ long; weight doesn’t require Bridge Bureau approval
  • Travel times same as other os/ow vehicles (above)
  • Width requires 1 front/2rear pilot/escort vehicles; Length requires 1 pilot/escort
  • Class 2: Over 34’ wide; over 24’ high or route requires utilities to cut power lines; over 200’ long
  • Travel times same as other os/ow vehicles (above)
  • Interstate: Width requires 1 front/2 rear pilot/escort vehicles; Length requires 1 rear pilot/escort; Height requires 1 front pilot/escort if
  • power lines need to be cut
  • Non-interstate: Width requires 2 front/2 rear pilot/escort vehicles; Length requires 1 front/1 rear; Height requires 1 front/1 rear pilot/escort if
  • power lines need to be cut
  • Class 3: Width not over 18’; height not over 17’; length not over 150’
  • Weight requires Bridge Burearu approval

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle

  • General: Any passenger car /2 axle truck; a minimum of 60’ wide; shall not exceed 2 ton GVW
  • Signs: “OVERSIZE LOAD” sign (5’ x 12”) w/ dark letters (8” high) on light background
  • Lights: Minimum of 1 strobe or 2 amber 5” flashing lights or 1 rotating beacon light mounted above roof
  • Flags: No stipulations
  • Additional equipment: 2-way communication

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator