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Pilot Car Regulations

North Carolina Pilot Car Regulations

Guidelines for North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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

  • Registered weight of tractor, any overhang

Times Of Movement

  • Sunrise to sunset; 6 days a week (no Sunday travel) for permitted vehicles with over dimension and weight in excess of 94,500 lbs.
  • 16’ wide mobile homes: M-Th, 9am-2:30pm
  • Travel prohibited from noon on the weekday preceding until noon on the weekday after the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas
  • Curfews noted on permit

When Pilot/Escort Vehicle is Required

For all over width movements on multi-lane highways:

  • 1 escort will be required for anything over 12'wide
  • Over 14’5” high-1front pilot w/ height pole
  • Over110’ long (superloads-100’)-1 rear pilot
  • Overhang over 14’-1 pilot
  • Weight over 149,999 lbs.-1 pilot
  • Multiple escorts possible for combination of over-dimensions
  • 16' wide mobiles with legal height and a maximum of 3" gutter edge are required to have 2 escorts on all controlled access highways
  • 3 escorts on all other multi-lane highways, and 3 escorts (1 being a law enforcement escort) on all 2 lane/2-way traffic roads plus proof of final destination

Superloads:

  • Over 15’ wide-3 pilots (1 NC Highway Patrol)

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle

  • General: Not less than 2000 lb.; load capacity of 17000 lb. or less
  • Signs: “OVERSIZE LOAD” or “WIDE LOAD” sign w/ black letters (10” high x 1 1/2” brush stoke) on yellow background mounted on bumper (must extend the entire length of bumper) or roof
  • Lights: Flashing amber lights (rotating sealed beam or strobe); 5”min. Diameter base; 4” min. Height; mounted on top of vehicle
  • Flags: Red or orange, 18” square
  • Additional equipment: Identification signs (8” x 12” min.) w/ name, address, phone# of operator/owner; on right & left side of vehicle.

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator

  • All escort vehicle operators are required to obtain an approved escort certification priorto performing the duties of an oversize/overweight load escort vehicle operator in North Carolina and have completed NSC defensive course. Required course for all applicants: NCDOT OS/OW Load Escort Vehicle Operator Certification Program score of 75% min.; effective for 4 years; cost: $50.00. To make application call 888-221-8166.
  • Out-of -state operators that currently have valid driver’s license & certifications will be recognized.
  • No driver or passenger other than a certified escort vehicle operator is allowed to travel in the escort vehicle.
  • Dept. of Transportation Permits Office- Permit request by phone: Mon.-Fri. 7:30a.m.-4:00p.m. EST
  • DOT OS/OW Permit Unit (walk-in & mail)
  • 1425 Rock Quarry Road (I-40, Exit 300)
  • Suite 109-110
  • Raleigh, NC 27610
  • (888)221-8166/(919)733-4740 (general info/annuals/superloads)
  • (888)574-6683/(919)733-7154 (single trip permit request)
  • Fax: (888)222-8347/(919)733-7828 or 7921 (single trip)
  • (919)715-5616 (annual)
  • Email: osowpermits@dot.state.nc.us
  • http://www.doh.dot.state.nc.us/operations/dp_chief_eng/maintenance/permits/contact/