Pilot Car Regulations
Wisconsin Pilot Car Regulations
Guidelines for Wisconsin 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
Wisconsin permit office before you dispatch.
Road conditions
- (414)785-7140/ (800)762-3947-Road conditions
- http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/road/workzones.htm (Road construction map)
- http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/road/winter-roads.htm#map (Road conditions map/ chart)
When Permit Is Needed
- Over 8'6" wide, over 13'6" high, trailer over 40' long, over 80,000 lbs.
Special Information Needed
- Load info, load dimensions broken down
- Times Of Movement-See provision sheet MV2605-394 or cal (608)266-7320
- Sunrise to sunset; M-F & Sat. until noon
- Nighttime travel is permitted for loads not exceeding 100' long,12' wide, & 13’6” high; loads less than this allowed to travel all weekend from Memorial Day to Labor Day
- Loads exceeding the previous size may not travel from sunset to sunrise; after 4pm on Friday from the 4th Friday in May and Labor Day; during the period beginning at noon on the day preceding every holiday and continuing until sunrise the day following every holiday
- Over 15’ high w/ reflectorized striped hazard markers on outside extremities of load.
- Holidays w/ restricted travel times: New Years Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas
Weekend travel:
- Loads over 100' long, 12' wide, 13'6" high travel only until noon on Sat.
- Loads less than these dimensions may travel
When Pilot/Escort Vehicle is Required
On 2-way, 2-lane highways:
- When any part of the load or vehicle extends beyond the left of roadway centerline-1 pilot
- Width over 15' up to 16' (frequently)-1 front
- On any highway designated by permit-1 or more
- Width over 16'-2 (front & rear)
- Over 125' long-2 (front & rear)
On multi-lane highways:
- Same as 2- lane except when any part of vehicle/load extends beyond the left of the right hand lane.
Mobiles:
- Width over 14' (on certain highways) - 1 pilot car
- Width over 16’-police/private escort: 1 rear on divided highways; 1 front & 1 rear on non-divided highways
Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle
- “OVERSIZE LOAD” sign mounted above the roof of the vehicle
- Sign must measure 5’ x 12” w/ black letters 10” high (brush stroke width of not less than 1 ½”) on a solid yellow/amber background
- Bright red or orange flag at least 18” square
- 2 bright red or orange flags at least 18” square on a short staff mounted on the front bumper (one on each side)
- 2 amber warning lights mounted on or above the vehicle roof; it shall include a single or multiple pulse strobe light and shall flash, pulse or rotate between 30 & 120 times/minute; shall be visible at a distance of 500’ & 360o circumference
Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must have an operator’s license issued to the vehicle operator and valid in Wisconsin
- A non-resident must have a license or certification issued in another jurisdiction that allows that person to operate a pilot car in that jurisdiction
- Dept. of Transportation Permits Office-Hours: 7:45-10:30am; 1-4pm; CT
- Dept. of Transportation
- 4802 Sheboygan Ave. Rm. 151
- P.O. Box 7980
- Madison, WI 53707
- (608)266-7320; fax: (608)264-7751
- http://www.dot.state.wi.us/business/carriers/osowgeneral.htm