Chapter 29
Pilot / Escort Requirements
This section will provide necessary information for obtaining certification as a Utah Pilot/Escort with all vehicle requirements to meet the regulations for Pilot/Escort Vehicles.
OPERATING CONDITIONS REQUIRING PILOT/ESCORT VEHICLES
One pilot 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).
- 105 feet in length on secondary highways and 120 feet in length on divided highways.
- Overhangs in excess of 20 feet shall have pilot/escort vehicle positioned to the front for front overhangs and to the rear for rear overhangs.
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, except for
- Mobile and manufactured homes with eaves 12 inches or less on either roadside or curbside shall be measured for box width only and assigned escort vehicles as specified above in R912-9-1.
- Mobile and manufactured homes with eaves greater than 12 inches shall be measured for overall width including eaves and pilot/escort vehicles assigned as specified above R912-9-2; or
- 120 feet in length on secondary highways.
- 16 feet in height on all highways. Lead escort will run a height indicator pole.
- When otherwise required by the Department.
- As specified for night time travel.
Police escorts are required for vehicles with loads which exceed:
- 17 feet wide or 17 feet 6 inches high on secondary highways; or
- 20 feet wide or 17 feet 6 inches high on all highways; or
- All loads in excess of 175 feet in length MUST have a minimum of one police escort; all loads in excess of 200 feet in length will require a minimum of two police escorts. Exception: Loads that are unladen (decked).
- When required by the Department.
CONVOY ALLOWANCES FOR PERMITTED VEHICLES
The movement of more than one permitted vehicle is allowed provided prior authorization is obtained from the Motor Carrier Division with the following conditions:
- Number of permitted vehicles in the convoy shall not exceed two.
- Loads may not exceed 12 feet wide or 150 feet overall length.
- Distance between vehicles shall not be less the 500 feet or more than 700 feet.
- Distance between convoys shall be a minimum of one mile.
- All convoys shall have a certified pilot/escort in the front and rear with proper signs.
- Police escorts or UDOT personnel may be required.
- Convoys must meet all lighting requirements required in 49 CFR 393.11 and in the lighting section for nighttime travel.
- Convoys are restricted to freeway and interstate systems.
- Nighttime travel is encouraged with Motor Carrier Division approval.
- Approval may be obtained by contacting the Motor Carrier Division or any Port of Entry Note: The Motor Carrier Division on a case-by-case basis may grant exceptions to the above. For further information please contact (801) 965-4892 or (866) 215-5399.
Chapter 29
Pilot / Escort Requirements
This section will provide necessary information for obtaining certification as a Utah Pilot/Escort with all vehicle requirements to meet the regulations for Pilot/Escort Vehicles.
OPERATING CONDITIONS REQUIRING PILOT/ESCORT VEHICLES
One pilot 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).
- 105 feet in length on secondary highways and 120 feet in length on divided highways.
- Overhangs in excess of 20 feet shall have pilot/escort vehicle positioned to the front for front overhangs and to the rear for rear overhangs.
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, except for
- Mobile and manufactured homes with eaves 12 inches or less on either roadside or curbside shall be measured for box width only and assigned escort vehicles as specified above in R912-9-1.
- Mobile and manufactured homes with eaves greater than 12 inches shall be measured for overall width including eaves and pilot/escort vehicles assigned as specified above R912-9-2; or
- 120 feet in length on secondary highways.
- 16 feet in height on all highways. Lead escort will run a height indicator pole.
- When otherwise required by the Department.
- As specified for night time travel.
Police escorts are required for vehicles with loads which exceed:
- 17 feet wide or 17 feet 6 inches high on secondary highways; or
- 20 feet wide or 17 feet 6 inches high on all highways; or
- All loads in excess of 175 feet in length MUST have a minimum of one police escort; all loads in excess of 200 feet in length will require a minimum of two police escorts. Exception: Loads that are unladen (decked).
- When required by the Department.
CONVOY ALLOWANCES FOR PERMITTED VEHICLES
The movement of more than one permitted vehicle is allowed provided prior authorization is obtained from the Motor Carrier Division with the following conditions:
- Number of permitted vehicles in the convoy shall not exceed two.
- Loads may not exceed 12 feet wide or 150 feet overall length.
- Distance between vehicles shall not be less the 500 feet or more than 700 feet.
- Distance between convoys shall be a minimum of one mile.
- All convoys shall have a certified pilot/escort in the front and rear with proper signs.
- Police escorts or UDOT personnel may be required.
- Convoys must meet all lighting requirements required in 49 CFR 393.11 and in the lighting section for nighttime travel.
- Convoys are restricted to freeway and interstate systems.
- Nighttime travel is encouraged with Motor Carrier Division approval.
- Approval may be obtained by contacting the Motor Carrier Division or any Port of Entry Note: The Motor Carrier Division on a case-by-case basis may grant exceptions to the above. For further information please contact (801) 965-4892 or (866) 215-5399.
PRE-TRIP PLANNING AND COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS
- A coordination and planning meeting shall be held prior to load movement. The driver(s) carrying or pulling the oversize load(s), the pilot/escort vehicle driver(s), law enforcement officers (if assigned), department personnel (if involved), and public utilities company representatives (if involved) shall attend. When police escorts are present, a Utah Law Enforcement Check List and Reporting Criteria Form must be completed. 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 Department representative or a law enforcement officer).
- Authorized routing and permit conditions. Ensure that all documentation is distributed to all appropriate individuals involved in the move.
- Communication and signals coordination.
- Verification/measurement of load dimensions. Compare with permitted dimensions
- Copies of permit and routing documents shall be provided to all parties involved with the permitted load movement.
PILOT/ESCORT VEHICLE STANDARDS
- Pilot/escort vehicles may be either a passenger vehicle or a two-axle truck with a 95-inch minimum wheelbase and a maximum gross vehicle weight of 12,000 lbs and properly registered and licensed as required under Sections UCA 41-1a-201 and UCA 41-1a-401.
- Equipment shall not reduce visibility or mobility of pilot/escort vehicle while in operation.
- Trailers may not be towed at any time while in pilot/escort operations.
- 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, permitted vehicle operator and police escort, when necessary.
- When operating with police escorts a CB radio is required.
- Pilot/escort vehicles may not carry a load.
PILOT/ESCORT VEHICLE SIGNING REQUIREMENTS
- Sign requirements on pilot/escort vehicles are as follows:
- Pilot escort vehicles must display an "Oversize Load" sign, which must be mounted on the top of the pilot/escort vehicle.
- Signs must be a minimum of five feet wide by 10-inch high visible surface space, with a solid yellow background and eight inch high by one inch wide black letters. Solid defined as: When being viewed from the front or rear at a 90-degree angle, no light can transmit through.
- The sign for the front/pilot escort vehicle shall be displayed so as to be clearly legible and readable by oncoming traffic at all times.
- 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.
PILOT/ESCORT VEHICLE LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS
- Two methods of lighting are authorized by the Department. Requirements are as follows:
- Two AAMVA approved amber flashing lights mounted with one on each side of the required sign. These shall be a minimum of six inches in diameter with a capacity of 60 flashes per minute with warning lights illuminated at all times during operation, or
- 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 unobstructed and visible for 360 degrees with warning lights illuminated at all times during operation.
- Incandescent, strobe or diode (LED) lights may be used provided they meet the above criteria.
PILOT/ESCORT VEHICLE EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
- Pilot/escort vehicles shall be equipped with the following safety items:
- Standard 18 inch or 24 inch red/white "STOP" and black/orange "SLOW" paddle signs. Construction zone flagging requires the 24-inch sign. For nighttime travel moves, signs must be reflective in accordance with MUTCD standards.
- Nine reflective triangles or 18-inch reflective orange traffic cones (not to replace the following two items).
- Eight red-burning flares, glow sticks or equivalent illumination device approved by the Department.
- Three orange, 18-inch high cones.
- Flashlight with a minimum 1 1/2 inch lense diameter, with extra batteries or charger (emergency type shake or crank will not be allowed).
- 6 inch minimum length red or orange cone for use when directing traffic.
- Orange hardhat and Class 2 safety vest for personnel involved in pilot/escort operations. Class 3 safety vests are required for nighttime moves
- A height-measuring pole made of a nonconductive, non-destructive, flexible or frangible material, only required when escorting a load exceeding 16 feet in height.
- Fire extinguisher.
- First aid kit must be clearly marked.
- One spare "oversize load" sign, seven feet by 18 inches.
- Serviceable spare tire, tire jack and lug wrench.
- Handheld two way simplex radios or other compatible form of communication for operations outside pilot/escort vehicles.
- Vehicles shall not have unauthorized equipment on the vehicle such as those generally reserved for law enforcement personnel.
POLICE ESCORT VEHICLE EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
- Police escort vehicles shall be equipped with the following safety items:
- All officers must have a CB radio to communicate with the pilot and transport vehicles.
- Officers shall complete a Utah Law Enforcement Check List and Reporting Criteria Form.
- Officers shall verify that all pilot/escorts are in possession of current pilot/escort inspections, or they shall complete an inspection prior to load movement.
- Police vehicles must be clearly marked with emergency lighting visible 360 degrees.
- Officers shall be in uniform while conducting police escort moves.
INSURANCE
Driver shall possess a current certificate of insurance or endorsement which indicates that the operator, or the operator's employer, has in full force and effect not less than $750,000 combined single limit coverage for bodily injury and/or property damage as a result of the operation of the escort vehicle, the escort vehicle operator, or both causing the bodily injury and /or property damage arising out of an act or omission by the pilot/escort vehicle operator of the escort duties required by the Rules. Such insurance or endorsement, as applicable, must be maintained at all times during the term of the pilot/escort certification.
Pilot / escort vehicles shall have a minimum amount of $750,000 liability. This is not a cumulative amount.
FLAGGING REQUIREMENTS
- During the movement of an over-dimensional load/vehicle, the pilot/escort driver, in the performance of the flagging duties required by these rules, may control and direct traffic to stop, slow or proceed in any situation(s) where it is deemed necessary to protect the motoring public from the hazards associated with the movement of the over-dimensional load/vehicle. The pilot/escort driver, acting as a flagger, may aid the over-dimensional load/vehicle in the safe movement along the highway designated on the over-dimensional load permit and shall:
- (a) Assume the proper flagger position outside the pilot/escort vehicle, and as a minimum standard, have in use the necessary safety equipment as defined in 6E.1 of the MUTCD, and
- (b) Use stop/slow paddles or a 24" red/orange square flag to indicate emergency situations, and other equipment as described in 6E.1 of the MUTCD; and
- (c) Comply with the flagging procedures and requirements as set forth in the MUTCD and the Utah Department of Transportation Flagger Training Handbook.
PILOT/ESCORT DRIVER REQUIREMENTS
Individuals who operate a pilot/escort vehicle must meet the following requirements:
- Must be a minimum of 18 years of age.
- Possess a valid drivers license for the state jurisdiction in which he/she resides.
- The following state certification is currently accepted in Utah: Colorado, Washington, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Florida and Arizona.
- Pilot/escort drivers will be issued a certification card by an authorized Qualified Certification Program as outlined in R912-10, and shall have it in their possession at all times while in pilot/escort operations.
- Initial certification will be valid for four years from the date of issue. One additional fouryear certification may be obtained through a mail in or on-line re-certification process provided by a Qualified Pilot/Escort Training Entity/Institution.
- Pilot/escort drivers must provide a current (within 30 days) Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) certification to the Qualified Certification Program at the time of the course.
- Current certification for pilot/escort operators will be honored through expiration date. Prior to expiration of pilot/escort certification it will be the responsibility of the operator to attend classroom instruction provided by an authorized Pilot/Escort Qualified Certification Program. A list of these providers can be obtained by calling (801) 965-4559.
- No passengers under 16 years of age are allowed in pilot/escort vehicles during movement of oversize loads.
- A pilot/escort driver may not perform as a tillerman while performing pilot escort operations.
- A pilot/escort driver must meet the requirements of 49 CFR 391.11 if using a vehicle for escort operations in excess of 10,000 lbs GVWR.
DRIVER CERTIFICATION PROCESS
- Drivers domiciled in Utah must complete a pilot/escort certification course authorized by the Department. A list of authorized instructors may be obtained by contacting (801) 965-4892.
- Pilot/escort drivers domiciled outside of Utah may operate as a certified pilot/escort driver with another State's certification credential, provided the course meets the minimum requirements outlined in the Pilot/Escort Training Manual - Best Practices Guidelines as endorsed by the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association, Federal Highway Administration, and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance; and/or
- The Department may enter into a reciprocal agreement with other states provided they can demonstrate that course materials are comprehensive and meet minimum requirements outlined by the Department. For a current listing of these states, contact the Motor Carrier Division at (801)-965-4892.
- Pilot/escort driver certification expires four years from the date issued. It will be the responsibility of the driver to maintain certification.
SUSPENSIONS AND REVOCATIONS OF PILOT/ESCORT DRIVER CERTIFICATION
Pilot/escort drivers may have their certification denied, suspended, or revoked by the Department if it is determined that a disqualifying offense has occurred within the previous 4 years.
- Drivers convicted of serious traffic violations such as excessive speed, reckless driving and driving maneuvers reserved for emergency vehicles, driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances may have their certification suspended or revoked by the Department.
- The Department may suspend for first offenses up to one year. Subsequent offenses may result in permanent revocation of driver certification.
APPEAL PROCESS
When a driver is denied pilot/escort-driving privileges for reasons other than the conditions set forth in this chapter under Suspensions and Revocations of Pilot/Escort Driver Certification, the individual may file an appeal. The appeals shall be handled by a steering committee created by the Division. The steering committee shall have the powers granted to the Deputy Director in R907-1-3 for appeals from other Motor Carrier Division administrative actions. This committee's decision, if adopted by the Director of the Motor Carrier Division, will be considered a final agency order under the Utah Administrative Act.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For further information regarding UtahPilot/Escort Car Requirements contact:Motor Carrier Division (801) 965-4892 or (866) 215-5399, or mccustomerservice@utah.gov
