Calgary Pilot Cars and Escort Vehicle Services

Calgary Pilot Car Requirements

• Height Requirements:
  • • High loads: Generally, pilot cars are not required due to designated high load corridors. Check the Alberta DOT high load corridor page for specific routes.


• Width Requirements:
  • • Shipments wider than 3.85 meters (12 feet, 7 inches) on single-lane roads: Require a front pilot car.
  • • Shipments wider than 3.85 meters on multi-lane roads: Require a rear pilot car.
  • • Shipments wider than 4.45 meters (14 feet, 6 inches) on single-lane roads: Require both front and rear pilot cars.
  • • Shipments wider than 5.5 meters (18 feet, 2 inches) on all roads: Require both front and rear pilot cars.


• Length Requirements:
  • • Shipments exceeding 34 meters (112 feet, 2 inches): Require a rear pilot car on single-lane roads.
  • • Shipments over 38 meters (125 feet, 5 inches): Require both a front pilot car and a rear pilot car.


• Weight Requirements:
  • • Weight: No specific pilot car requirements based on weight as long as normal minimum highway speeds are maintained.


• Overhang Requirements:
  • • Overhang exceeding 6.5 meters (21 feet, 5 inches): Require a rear pilot car on all roads.
  • • Overhang exceeding 9 meters (29 feet, 8 inches): Require both front and rear pilot cars.


• Additional Pilot Car Equipment Requirements:
  • • Sign Box: Must measure at least 180 cm x 35 cm x 10 cm (72″ x 14″ x 4″), lighted, and visible from at least 200 meters (656 feet). It should display "LONG LOAD," "WIDE LOAD," "OVERSIZE LOAD," or a red and white “D” sign.
  • • Lights: Two 175 mm (7 inch) diameter flashing lights on the top of the sign box, and two 203 mm (8 inches) amber rotating or strobing lights between the flashing lights.
  • • Communication: Two-way radio communication must be maintained between each of the vehicles at all times.
  • • Distance: A pilot vehicle must precede the overdimensional vehicle by 300 to 1000 meters, and a trail vehicle must follow by 100 to 300 meters.


• Special Stipulations:
  • • Flags and Lights:
  • • Width over 2.6 meters (8 feet, 6 inches): Equipped with warning flags during daylight and warning lights during darkness or adverse weather.
  • • Width over 3.05 meters (10 feet): Dimensional signs displayed at the front and rear.
  • • Width over 3.35 meters (11 feet): Equipped with one or more flashing lights.
  • • Width over 3.85 meters (12 feet, 7 inches): Pilot and trail vehicles required depending on road type and width.
  • • Operational Restrictions:
  • • No operation from 3 PM until midnight on Fridays or days preceding statutory holidays, or on Sundays or statutory holidays
  • • Dimensional signs must be kept clean, legible, and covered or removed when not in use.
  • • Escort Vehicles:
  • • Must not tow any trailers or carry loads that obscure required lights or signs.
  • • Must carry an advance warning triangle, three warning flags, a warning flag per crew member, reflective vests, flashlights with signal tubes, and maintain all equipment in good repair.
  • • Safety Protocols:
  • • When engaged outside the cab, operators must wear reflective vests and use warning flags or flashlights as needed to manage traffic.