Richmond Pilot Cars and Escort Vehicle Services

Richmond Pilot Car Requirements

• Length Requirements:
  • • Shipments over 23 meters (75 feet): Require a pilot car.
  • • Shipments exceeding 27.5 meters (90 feet): Typically require two pilot cars, one at the front and one at the rear.


• Width Requirements:
  • • Shipments wider than 3.2 meters (10 feet 6 inches): Require a pilot car.
  • • Shipments wider than 3.85 meters (12 feet 7 inches) on single-lane roads: Require a front pilot car.
  • • Shipments wider than 4.4 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.


• Height Requirements:
  • • Loads exceeding 4.15 meters (13 feet 6 inches): Pilot cars are generally not required due to designated high load corridors. Check the specific route requirements.


• Overhang Requirements:
  • • Overhang exceeding 3 meters (9 feet 10 inches) in the rear: Require a rear pilot car.


• Special Stipulations:
  • • Flags and Lights:
  • • Width over 2.6 meters (8 feet 6 inches): 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.
  • • Escort Vehicles:
  • • Must maintain two-way radio communication with the vehicle being escorted.
  • • A pilot vehicle must precede the overdimensional vehicle by 300 to 1000 meters.
  • • A trail vehicle must follow by 100 to 300 meters.
  • • Operational Restrictions:
  • • No movement from 3 PM until midnight on Fridays or days preceding statutory holidays, or on Sundays or statutory holidays.
  • • Additional Equipment:
  • • Pilot cars must carry safety equipment including fire extinguishers, first aid kits, traffic cones, reflective vests, slow-stop signs, and safety flags.