Utah Department of Transportation

Pilot/Escort Vehicle Standards

For a complete copy of the Admnistrative Rules for Pilot/Escort Requirements go to the Utah Trucking Guide.

The vehicle may be either a passenger car or a two-axle truck and shall carry a minimum of $750,000 liability insurance.
The wheelbase shall be a minimum of 95 inches.
The gross vehicle weight shall be a maximum of 12,000 pounds
An "OVERSIZE LOAD" sign shall be mounted on the top of the pilot/escort vehicle. In no case shall it obstruct the view of the flashing amber light. It shall be 5 feet x 10 inches in size, with yellow background and 8 inch high, 1 inch wide black letters, (IAW FHWA Standard 900-1 Alphabet B). The sign for the front pilot/escort vehicle shall be displayed so as to be readable by oncoming traffic; the rear pilot/escort vehicle shall display its sign so as to be readable by traffic overtaking from the rear and clearly legible at all times.
Two methods of lighting are authorized by the Department. Requirements are as follows:
1. Two AAMVA approved amber flashing lights mounted with one on each side of the required sign. These shall be a minimum of 6 inches in diameter with a capacity of 60 flashes per minute with warning lights illuminated at all times during operation, or
2. An AAMVA approved amber rotating, oscillating, or flashing beacon/light bar mounted on top of the pilot/escort vehicle. This beacon/light bar must be unobstruted and visible for 360 degrees with warning lights illuminated at all times during operation.
Incandescent, stroble or diode (LED) lights may be used provided they meet the above criteria.
No obscuring of lights or signs on the pilot/escort vehicle.
Pilot/escort vehicles shall not carry a load.
Pilot/escort vehicles shall be equipped with a two-way radio capable of transmitting and receiving voice messages over a minimum distance of one-half mile. Radio communications must be compatible with accompanying pilot/escort vehicles, utility company vehicles, permited vehicle operator and police escort, when necesary.
Pilot/escort vehicles shall carry at least the following items of equipment at all times and shall use them appropriately.
- Standard 18 inch or 24 inch "STOP" & "SLOW" paddle signs. (The 24 inch version is required for construction site flagging.)
- Nine reflective triangles or nine 18 inch reflective orange traffic cones (not to replace the next two items)
- Eight red-burning flares, or approved alternate.
- Three orange colored, 18 inch high cones.
- Six inch minimum length red or orange cone for use when directing traffic.
- Flashlight with a minimum 1 1/2 inch lense diameter, with exra batteries or charger (emergency type shake or crank will not be allowed).
- Orange hard hat and jacket/vest.
- Two amber flashing lights, 6 inches or larger, or one AAMVA approved light bar capable of rotating, oscillating, flashing or strobe light.
- An accurate height measuring pole, made of a non-conductive, non-destructive, flexible or frangible material, when escorting a load exceeding 16 feet in height.
- Fire extinguisher.
- First aid kit.
- One spare OVERSIZE LOAD sign 7 feet X 18 inches.
- Handheld two way simplex radio or other compatible form of communication for operations outside pilot/escort vehicles.
- Spare tire, tire jack, and lug wrench.
No vehicle shall have unauthorized equipment on the vehicle. (Example: wig-wags, headlamps, unauthorized colors, etc.)
Vehicles towing trailers or other vehicles shall not qualify as pilot/escort vehicles.
Permitted vehicles not able to maintain a minimum speed of 45 mph on freeways or interstate highways, or 20 mph on secondary roads, shall have a follow-up vehicle displaying a "SLOW VEHICLE" sign. The "SLOW VEHICLE" sign shall take precedence over the "OVERSIZE LOAD" sign. (Both signs are not required at the same time on the escort vehicle). (re: UR 600.8)
Signs shall not be displayed except for actual movement.
Convoy size and requirements are prescribed in UR Sections 600.3 through 600.5. NOTE: A pilot/escort vehicle checklist is provided in the Utah Regulations Manual, Appendix J. (UR Manual):http//www.udot.utah.gov/download.php/tid=394/2002regs.pdf.
One pilot/escort vehicle is required for vehicles/loads, which exceed the following dimensional conditions:
- 12 feet in width on secondary highways (non-interstate) and 14 feet in width on divided highways (interstates).
- 120 feet in length on divided highways and 105 feet in length on secondary highways.
- Excess of 20 feet of overhangs. (re: 600.6 4. A&B)
Two pilot/escort vehicles are required for vehicles/loads which exceed the following dimensional conditions:
- 14 feet in width on secondary highways and 16 feet in width on divided highways
- 120 feet in length on secondary highways
- 16 feet in height on all highways
- When required by the Department
A coordination and planning meeting shall be held prior to load movement. The drivers of the vehicle(s) carrying or pulling the oversize load(s), the pilot/escort vehicle driver(s), law enforcement officers (if assigned), UDOT personnel (if involved), and public utilities company representatives (if involved) shall attend. This meeting shall include discussion and coordination on the conduct of the move, including at least the following topics:
The person designated as being in charge (usually a UDOT representative or a law enforcement officer).
Authorized routing and permit conditions.
Communications and signals coordination.
Verification/measurement of load dimensions. Compare with permitted dimensions.

Contact Info:	Customer Service, (801) 964-4892
Last Edited:	06-AUG-2010

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