Home/Pilot Car Regulations/Nebraska
Pilot Car Regulations

Nebraska Pilot Car Regulations

Guidelines for Nebraska 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 Nebraska permit office before you dispatch.

Road conditions

When Permit Is Needed

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

Special Information Needed

  • Mobile homes/ modular homes- need hud # or seal #, manufactured (offline) date & insurance on file (If the insurance isn't on file, it can be faxed to 402.479.3906) 94,000 is max RW in Nebraska

Times Of Movement

  • 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset 7 days/week (however, no weekend travel in the cities of Lincoln & Omaha)
  • Travel prohibited on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas
  • (Permit office closed on above holidays plus Martin Luther King Day, Presidents’ Day, Arbor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, & the day after Thanksgiving
  • Curfews: Omaha city limits: 7-9am & 3:30-6pm M-F; Lindoln State Highways: 7-9am & 4-6pm M-F/after noon Sat-Sun; Omaha State Highways/Interstates: 7-9am & 4-6pm M-F/after noon Sat-Sun

When Pilot/Escort Vehicle is Required

Width:

  • Over 12' to 14'-Choice of amber light or 1 pilot
  • Over 14'-2 Cars
  • Height: Depends on route; Loads exceeding 14’6” in height may require a pilot w/ height pole.
  • Over 16’ in height a pre-run route survey shall be required & submitted to DOR

Length:

  • On interstate or divided roadway over 100'-1 pilot or proper light bar
  • No stipulations on 2 lanes

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle

  • General: Standard truck or car at least 60” wide
  • Signs: “OVERSIZE LOAD” sign on front and/or rear of vehicle; minimum 5’ x 1’; 8” high black letters on yellow background
  • Lights: Revolving or rotating amber or yellow light sufficient to be seen 800’ (minimum or 50 candlepower bulb); 360 degree visibility; not less than 6” in diameter; mounted on roof a minimum of 53’ above roadway;
  • Flags: Red/fluorescent orange flags (min. 18” square) on all 4 corners of vehicle
  • Additional equipment: 2-way radio

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator

  • None stipulated
  • Dept. of Transportation Permits Office- Office hours: 7:30am-5:00pm; Closed Sat.
  • Dept. of Roads - Permit Office
  • 1400 NE Hwy. 2 Room 123A (walk-in)
  • P.O. Box 94759 (mail)
  • Lincoln, NE 68509
  • (402)471-0034
  • Fax: 402-479-3906/3907
  • http://www.dot.nebraska.gov