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Pilot Car Regulations

South Carolina Pilot Car Regulations

Guidelines for South 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 South 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

  • Length of trailer and overhang

Times Of Movement

  • Sunrise to sunset, Mon.-Sat. For standard issue

Weekend travel:

  • Loads 14' wide or less may travel sunrise to sunset on Saturday. Loads 16’ wide may travel 9am-3pm on Saturday
  • Travel prohibited on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas. Movement prohibited from noon before each holiday until noon following each holiday.
  • Permit office sill be closed on these holidays plus President’s Day and the day after Thanksgiving.
  • Curfews: Loads 14’ wide & mobile homes are not to be moved over state highways near urban areas between 7-9am & 3-6pm on school days & 4:30-6pm on other days.

When Pilot/Escort Vehicle is Required

  • http://www.dot.state.sc.us/doing/pdfs/OSOW_Guidelinesfor_movement.pdf
  • On 2-lane highways:
  • Width over 12' up to 14'- 1 front (cannot move over state highways in and in close proximity of large urban areas from 7-9am or 3-6pm schools days or 7-9am or 4:30-6pm other days)
  • Width over 14' to 16'- 2 (front & rear); must be moved Mon.-Sat. from 9am-3pm school days & 9am-4pm other days. Must travel on four-lane highways. Must be the only vehicle on any bridge 18’ wide or less.
  • Width over 16'(requires approval of county resident engineers and then state Oversize Permit Department)-3 (2 front & 1 rear)
  • Height 13’6” and over-state determines if pilot is required (with height pole)
  • Rear overhang of 15' on a less than 48' trailer; 10' on 48' & 53' trailers- rear escort & flags (or an amber light)

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle

  • General: Not specified
  • Signs: “OVERSIZE LOAD” or “WIDE LOAD” sign on front and/or rear
  • Lights: Rotating amber beacon or light displayed on top of vehicle
  • Flags: Non specified
  • Additional equipment: Not specified

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator

  • Not specified
  • Dept. of Transportation Permits Office-Hours: 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m. ET; M-F; Permits issued 8:30a.m.-4:30p.m.
  • By mail:
  • SC Dept. of Transportation
  • OS/OW Permit Office
  • P.O. Box 191
  • Columbia, SC 29202
  • In person:
  • OSOW Permit Office
  • 1412 Shop Rd.
  • Columbia, SC 29201
  • (803)253-6250/(877)349-7190 (permit office)
  • Fax: (803)343-0700
  • Email: OSOWhelp@dot.state.sc.us
  • http://www.dot.state.sc.us/doing/OSOW.asp