Washington Pilot Car Regulations

Road conditions

• (800)695-7623-Road conditions
• http://wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/ (Road conditions map)
• http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/construction/ (Road construction map)

When Permit Is Needed

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

Special Information Needed

• Mileposts required for each section of highway covered by an overweight permit

Times of Movement

• 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset Mon-Thurs & Fri. until 3:00 pm.
• Overweight only 24-7
• Sat. all day, Sun. until noon
• Travel prohibited on the following holidays: New Years Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas; prohibition includes: a) the afternoon prior if the holiday falls on a weekday, b) the preceding Friday or the following Monday if the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday (Additionally, the State Permit Office will be closed on the above holidays as well as Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day and Veteran’s Day)
• When Pilot/Escort Vehicle is Required (Additional pilot cars may be required based on situation)
• http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=468-38-100

2-lane highways:

• Width-over 11'-2 (front & rear)
• Over 105' long (or rear overhang exceeds 1/3 total length)-1 rear
• Over 14'6" high-1 front + county or city authorization
• Front overhang (depending on route)-1 rear
• The truck driver can’t see 200’ to the rear of the load w/ mirrors

Multi-lane highways:

• Width-over 14'-20'- 1 rear
• Width-over 20'- 2 (front & rear)
• Length-over 125'- 1 rear
• Height-over 14'6”- 1 front w/high pole + county to city authorization
• Front overhang over 20'-1 front
• Rear overhang greater than 20'-1 rear
• The truck driver can’t see 200’ to the rear of the load w/ mirrors

Mobile homes:

• Over 15' high-1 front

Farm implements:

• Width-over 12'6" on 2-lane state highways-2 (front & rear)
• Width-over 14' on multiple-lane state highways-1 rear

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle

• Lights: 2 flashing or rotating amber lights above roof line.
• Headlights on at all times.
• Signs: “Oversize Load” sign dimensions: 5’ wide x 10” high; 1” stroke black letters (8” high) on yellow background
• Sign must be mounted over roof of pilot car
• Additional equipment:
• Height pole in use at all times when load is over 14’6” in height (extended not less than 3” nor more than 6“ above load max height); Exterior rear-view mirrors on right & left sides; Standard 18” stop/slow paddle sign; 3 bi-directional emergency reflective triangles; 1-5lb. B,C fire extinguisher, or equivalent; High visibility safety garment (fluorescent yellow-green, fluorescent orange-red or fluorescent red); Height pole; First-aid supplies as prescribed in WAC 29-800-15020; Flashlight w/ red nose cone (should carry additional batteries)

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator

• Must possess valid WA state pilot/escort vehicle operator certificate/card or certification from another jurisdiction approved by the department, subject to the periodic review of the issuing jurisdiction’s certification program. WA’s operator cards must be renewed every 3 years. Certification test may be taken by contacting the Pilot Escort and Flagging instructor @ (509)684-7632. Questions? Call (360)705-7987. Currently recognized certifications: UT, FL, & NC

Dept. of Transportation Permits Office

• Hours: 7am-5pm PT
• 921 Lakeridge Way; PO Box 47367
• Olympia, WA 98504-7367
• (360)704-6340; Fax: (360)704-6350
• http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/commercialvehicle/
• Ports of Entry - Ports don’t issue permits
• Permits must be acquired before entering the state
• Plymouth I-81 NB (509) 734-7043
• Ridgefield I-5 NB (360) 887-8231
• Bow Hill I-5 SB (360) 766-6196
• Spokane I-90 WB (509) 226-3366