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Pilot Car Regulations

North Dakota Pilot Car Regulations

Guidelines for North Dakota 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 Dakota permit office before you dispatch.

Road conditions

When Permit Is Needed

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

Special Information Needed

  • For mobile homes ending in North Dakota- need to know destination (factory, customer address, etc.) and tire size

Times Of Movement

  • Sunrise to sunset; nighttime movement for overweight only; loads not exceeding 16’wide/110’ long travel M-F & until noon Sat.
  • Travel restricted on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas

When Pilot/Escort Vehicle is Required

2-lane highways:

  • Over 14'6" to 16'-1 front (may use rotating or flashing amber light mounted on vehicle, visible from front & rear for 500' in lieu of escort)

4 or more lane divided highways:

  • Over 16' wide-1 rear

On all highways:

  • Over 18' wide-official escort (unless exempted by highway patrol)
  • Over 18' high-1 front (& written permission from utility company)
  • Over 120 long-1 rear
  • Weight of earth moving equipment that exceeds legal axle weights- 1 rear
  • Weight of any load that exceeds normal allowable weights-1 or 2 may be required

Mobile/modular:

2-lane highway:;

  • From 14'6" to 16' wide-1 front
  • Over 16'- 2 (front & rear)

4 or more lane divided highways;

  • Width over 16'- 1 rear (maximum allowable width in ND =18')

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle

  • General: 2-axle truck or passenger only; must meet requirements of ND Century Code, Title 39. All vehicles not registered in ND will have to purchase temporary registration when escorting intrastate movements.
  • Signs:“OVERSIZE LOAD” sign (5’ x 12” min.) w/ black letters (8” high x 1” brush stroke) on yellow background
  • Lights: Flashing amber lights mounted on ends of sign or 1 centrally mounted revolving amber light on top of sign
  • Flags: None stipulated
  • Additional equipment: 2-way radio

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator

  • Must have a valid driver’s license; be 18 years old min.
  • Dept. of Transportation Permits Office- Hours: 7:30a.m.-5:00p.m. CT; M-F
  • Highway Patrol
  • Motor Carrier Division
  • Dept. 504
  • 600 E Boulevard Ave
  • Bismark, ND 58505
  • (701)328-2621; fax: (701)328-1642

Email: ndhpinfo@state.nd.us