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Pilot Car Regulations

Pennsylvania Pilot Car Regulations

Guidelines for Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania permit office before you dispatch.

Road conditions

When Permit Is Needed

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

Special Information Needed

  • Axle weights & spacing (regardless of gvw)
  • Registered wt.;
  • Make; model; serial # on load; # of pieces
  • Company FEIN
  • Specific miles & direction from nearest intersection where movement begins/ends (ex: 3.7 miles south of I-81)

Times Of Movement

  • Sunrise to sunset in non-urbanized areas; Sat. till noon in non-urbanized areas; no Sun. travel except in non-urbanized areas
  • If not oversize and if gross weight does not exceed 100,000 lbs. Vehicles operating at prevailing speeds may operate continuously, except during holiday periods or during inclement weather.
  • Travel prohibited on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas
  • No travel allowed after noon on the weekday preceding those holidays until 9am on the weekday following the holiday or as specified on the permit.

When Pilot/Escort Vehicle is Required

On all highways:

  • Width over 13'-1 (rear if multi lane- front if 2 lane)
  • Width over 16'- police escort
  • Length over 90'- 1 rear
  • Length over 160'- police escort
  • Rear overhang over 15'- 1 rear
  • Height over 14'6" w/high pole-1 front
  • Overweight more than 201,000 lbs.-police escort
  • Overweight if required to travel at reduced speeds over bridges- 1 rear
  • Overweight if permit requires load must be the only vehicle on a bridge or to occupy more than 1 lane to cross on 2-directional bridge- 2 (front & rear) If bridge supports only 1-lane of traffic- 1 rear

Urban areas:

  • Oversize loads allowed to run 3:00 am to sunrise- 2 (front & rear)
  • Permitted loads not able to run 40 mph on limited access highways allowed between 9 am to 4 pm-1 rear

Non-urbanized areas:

  • Permitted loads not able to maintain 40 mph on limited access highways- 1 rear

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle

  • General: None specified
  • Signs: “OVERSIZE LOAD” sign (5’ x 12”) w/ black letters (8” high) on yellow background mounted on front and/or rear of vehicle
  • Lights: 1 or 2 flashing lights
  • Flags: None specified
  • Additional equipment: 2-way radio

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator

  • Liability insurance in the combined amount of $1,000,000 & proof thereof
  • Dept. of Transportation Permits Office- Hours: 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m. ET
  • Dept. of Transportation
  • Motor Carrier Division
  • Central Permit Office
  • Commonwealth Keystone Building.
  • 400 N St, 6th Floor
  • Harrisburg, PA 17120
  • 717-787-5367; fax: 717-787-9890/9506
  • http://www.dot.state.pa.us/