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Pilot Car Regulations

New York Pilot Car Regulations

Guidelines for New York 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 New York permit office before you dispatch.

Road conditions

When Permit Is Needed

  • Over 8'6" wide,
  • Over 13'6" high,
  • Trailer over 53' long

Special Information Needed

  • N/A

Times Of Movement

  • Mon.-Fri. 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset; OD/OW moves less than 12’ wide & 85’ long & can maintain traffic flow speed are allowed to move until noo Sat.
  • Night travel will be required on Long Island for mobiles, modular sections, & office trailers wider than 12'
  • Continuous travel may be obtained when the vehicle does not exceed legal dimensions and does not go over 125% of legal weight
  • May travel on Sat. until noon, if not over 12' wide or 72' long (85’ on approved routes)

No Sunday travel

  • Travel prohibited on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and from noon the day preceding Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving & Christmas. The day preceding the above holidays only refers to normal woking days, that is M-F.

When Pilot/Escort Vehicle is Required

  • http://www.dot.state.ny.us/traffic/oper/files/escort.pdf
  • http://www.dot.state.ny.us/nypermits/files/special_haul/perm87.pdf
  • On 2-lane highways:
  • 1 front pilot (w/height pole)- if over 12' wide, 80' or more long, overhang over 10' long, height over 14'
  • 4 pilots (2 front & 1 rear + police) when 16' and over wide or 140' or more long.
  • 3 pilots (2 front & 1 rear) -100' & over long
  • 1 front pilot (w/height pole) + police-height 16' & over
  • Over 200,000 lbs- police escort
  • On 4 lanes or more:
  • 1 rear pilot- if over 12' wide or 80' or more long, or overhang over 10', or if vehicle is slow moving or speed restrictions are required.
  • 4 pilots (2 front & 1 rear + police)-18' wide & over, or 200' or more long.
  • 1 front pilot-if over 14' high (w/height pole).
  • 1 front + police-16' high & over

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle

  • General: 1997 or newer vehicle must have 100” wheelbase min. unless utility vehicle
  • Signs: “OVERSIZE LOAD” sign at least 5’ x 12” mounted on front & rear or top
  • Lights: Flashing/strobe single unit warning light bar (min. 4 lights) on roof; min. 43”/max. 52” long; min. 4”/max. 8” high. If flashing lights: min. 2-95 & 2-150 FPM rotators w/ mirrors(reflective both sides) placed diagonally between lights; 360 degree visibility from 1000’; amber dome cover
  • Flags:
  • Additional equipment: state mandated insignia (one on each side of vehicle); 2-way radio; cell phone; 3 emergency triangles and/or flares; 3 emergency flares (for night moves); fluorescent vest w/ certified escort insignia on left chest of vest; stop paddle; 3 18” square red/fluorescent orange flags on staffs (1 must be weighted); fire extinguisher class BC or larger; height pole

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator

  • Must be certified by NY no matter where they live. FYI: (518)457-1155/(800)783-1685 or refer to NY Certification Manual. List of NYDMV testing llocations call (518)486-9748