A pilot car has grown to become a necessity in the trucking industry especially when considering the safety of your truck driver, their cargo, and other drivers on the road.
These escort vehicles are used to guide bigger vehicles transporting larger-than-normal equipment and machinery for industries.
In a good number of States in the US, making use of a pilot or escort car service is a must. If you also intend to haul your cargo across more than one US state, obtaining a pilot car for the journey is recommended to avoid any undue hang-ups, delays, or fines.
Having a comprehensive knowledge or insight into what is necessary when carrying out your job in various locations is very important. Some states are also known to accept certifications from other states while others don’t. If you reside in any of the 16 states below, make sure you understand the requirements and are following them.
Requirements to Get a Pilot Car Certification
-
Alabama
Indeed, Alabama is one of those States that require pilot car drivers to be adequately certified before they can operate within the state boundaries. However, it is necessary to reiterate that there are no state certificates particularly accepted in Alabama except for their own.
Requirements
To be certified to become a pilot car driver in Alabama, you will have to be at least 18 years of age and have a valid driver’s license. You will be expected to have completed an escort flagging or pilot driving course within 12 months of a course being made available.
How to Apply
To apply, visit the Dept. of Transportation Permits Office from 7 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. You can also call 800-499-2782 or visit their website at http://www.dot.state.al.us
-
Arizona
Pilot car certification is considered necessary in Arizona. However, the state is known to acknowledge certification from other states like Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.
Requirements
Upon completing training classes, applicants will have to pass a written test on traffic control and best practices with a score of 80% or above. Immediately after this is achieved, a certification card will be issued and the driver’s name will be listed in a statewide database.
How to Apply
For more information, reach out to the Arizona motor vehicles division at the phone number: 602-771-2960 located at 1225 N. 25th Ave., Phoenix, AR 85009. Office hours are from 8AM until 5PM mountain time, Monday through Friday.
-
Colorado
This is another state that requires certification to be a pilot car driver. In Colorado, you need a lot of documents to be a pilot driver.
These include a valid certification, CDOT rules and regulations, a pilot escort and oversize map, vertical clearances map, bridge weight limit map, hazardous and nuclear material route restrictions map, and proof of insurance in the amount of at least $1,000,000 combined single limit or commercial liability insurance.
Also note that the state accepts certifications from Arizona, Florida, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Utah, and Washington.
Requirements
You will be expected to possess a driving record free of alcohol or drug-related offenses and no moving violation penalties assessed at six or more points.
How to Apply
Contact RSA Network, Inc. by phone at 801–838–8199 to inquire about applying for Colorado State Certification testing.
-
Florida
Florida mandates that pilot car or escort company operators possess Florida State certification or FDOT authorization. Florida also recognizes programs accomplished by pilot car drivers from Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Requirements
Pilot drivers in Florida are expected to be at least 18. Aside from that, the individual will also have to complete an eight-hour defensive driving course provided by the National Safety Council or have a Class A, B, or C commercial driver’s license.
How to Apply
To legally operate in the capacity of a pilot car or escort vehicle driver/company, you must obtain a certificate of completion from the Florida Department of Transportation pilot/escort training class. This class is provided by the Florida Technology Transfer Center. Inquiries by phone: 352-392-2371 or e-mail: 12assist@ce.ufl.edu.
-
Georgia
The state of Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) necessitates that pilot car or escort company operators complete the Certified Escort Vehicle Program before they can operate in the state. Aside from this, you will also have to obtain an “amber light permit” when operating a pilot car or escort vehicle within Georgia state lines.
Once you have obtained an “amber light permit” and also accomplished the certification program through any of the following states: Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Virginia, then you will be given proof of completion.
Requirements
Drivers are expected to be at least 18 with a Class A commercial license or 21 or older. You will also need to present documentation of a defensive driving course and complete an eight-hour course with an exam score of 80% or better.
How to Apply
To apply, visit the state of Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).
-
Louisiana
In the state of Louisiana, any escort and pilot car operators who are looking to pass through or work in the state will have to acquire a Louisiana Approved Escort Vehicle Permit. Aside from that, escort vehicle operators and pilot car company operators will also have to obtain a Louisiana state escort vehicle permit at Louisiana weigh stations.
Requirements
You will have to be at least 18 years of age and have a valid driver’s license prior to applying.
How to Apply
You can choose to online at www.dotd.la.gov. Search for the quick links section on the right-hand side of the webpage and click on truck permits.
After you’ve reached the electronic permitting routing bridge analysis selection, select “submit an application” for annual permits, and you will get a list of annual permits on that page. You can submit it online or print the PDF form and fax the completed application to the truck permit office at 225-377-7154.
-
Minnesota
Note that this state possesses two types of escorts. Civilian escorts and peace officers. Ensure to understand the difference between the two.
Minnesota acknowledges escort vehicle and pilot car operator certifications from the following states Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah, and Washington. Currently, Minnesota requires drivers of pilot cars and escort vehicles to hold a current Minnesota State Patrol certification.
Requirements
Drivers will need to be 18 or older and have a valid driver’s license for the type of vehicle being driven.
How to Apply
Reach out to Erik Gohl at 952-995-1346, fax: 952-995-1331 (pilot car and escort driver class administrator at Hennepin Technical College,) or visit their website at www.hennepintech.edu/cts/pages.
-
New Mexico
Also, note that every pilot car and escort vehicle operator working within New Mexico will have to be inspected at the port of entry for a New Mexico certification inspection. This is very necessary especially if you don’t want to be burdened with fines and penalties.
Requirements
The officer carrying out the inspection will expect you to have:
- Two amber lights
- Oversize escort signs
- A two-way radio
- A fire extinguisher
- Outside rearview mirrors
- The condition of the tires
- Three red flares or reflectors
- Oversize escort signs
- Fluorescent orange or red flags 12 inches in size or larger
- A safety jacket or vest with a hard hat.
The vehicle requirements are:
- Minimum of the 100-inch wheelbase
- A maximum vehicle capacity of 1 ½ tons
- A valid current driver’s license
- The terms of your insurance policy.
How to Apply
To apply, visit the state of New Mexico Department of Transportation.
-
North Carolina
In North Carolina, escort and pilot drivers are expected to be adequately certified before they can pass through or escort within the state. Nevertheless, North Carolina still aligns with Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Washington. However, certifications are accepted from Colorado, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Utah, and Virginia.
Requirements
North Carolina expects pilot drivers to be certified after taking an eight-hour course. The initial certification will more or less last for four years after the issue date.
How to Apply
To apply, you will have to finish the course and submit an Escort Vehicle Operator Application to the Oversize/Overweight Permit Unit’s office within six months of completion. A certified driving record will also have to be submitted. New requirements necessitate submitting documentation of a defensive driving course approved by the National Safety Council.
-
New York
All pilot car and escort vehicle operators who are looking to offer their services within New York will have to be New York State certified. To be certified as an escort or pilot car driver, all drivers and any persons acting as flag persons acquire New York state certification irrespective of where they reside.
Requirements
You will need to be 21 years of age or older. You will also have to obtain a valid New York driver’s license or a license from the state you are a resident of. Afterward, you will have to pass the Escort Driver’s Certification Test.
How to Apply
Visit a DMV office that offers the test to complete your application and take the written test. If you pass, you will be certified to offer pilot car services.
-
Oklahoma
As an escort vehicle and pilot car operator in Oklahoma, you will be expected to be Oklahoma-certified. Oklahoma Department of Public Safety also acknowledges certifications from States like Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Utah, and Washington. If the pilot car or escort vehicle operator is an Oklahoma State resident, they will need to have Oklahoma certification.
Requirements
To get certified, you will require a copy of your driving record and certification of insurance. Classes are more or less eight hours long and provide all the details you need to pass the test.
How to Apply
To apply, visit the state department of public safety.
-
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is another state that expects pilot car operators to be duly certified. They also acknowledge certifications from Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. Colorado and Utah are also accepted as part of the RSA Network.
Requirements
You will have to be at least 21, have experience escorting loads, and have a valid driver’s license. Keep in mind that the course is eight hours and requires a driver to pass a written exam. Other documentation considered necessary includes the completion of a defensive driving course and a flagger training course.
How to Apply
To apply, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
-
Utah
Please note that every pilot car operator and escort vehicle driver who is looking to operate within the state of Utah will need to be certified and inspected at the Utah Port of Entry. Pilot car and escort vehicle operators who would like to obtain an authorized certification card will need to take part in an authorized qualified certification program.
Requirements
You have to take part in a course that covers rules on oversized load movements, escort operations, flagging maneuvers, planning and communication, vehicle positioning, rail grade crossing safety, routing techniques, and insurance coverage requirements.
After the course is completed, a 40-question test is made available with fill-in-the-blank, multiple-choice, and true and false-questions. Students will need to get at least 80% to be certified.
How to Apply
You will have to contact the Utah Department of Transportation to apply.
-
Virginia
All pilot car and escort vehicle operators need to be certified prior to carrying out the duties of an oversized or overweight load pilot or escort vehicle operator within the Virginia state jurisdiction.
The state of Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) also acknowledges certification programs achieved by applicants from Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah, and Washington.
Requirements
You will have to be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license.
How to Apply
Apply for escort/pilot car operator certification from the Virginia DMV.
-
Wisconsin
Pilot car drivers in the state are expected to be certified regardless of whether they reside in the state or are just passing through.
Requirements
You will need to be at least 18 years of age and have an operator’s license valid in the state. It is necessary to complete a course and pass a test to be certified as a driver. A defensive driving course will also have to be completed.
How to Apply
Visit the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation to apply
-
Washington
You will have to be certified to offer your services in or within this state. Nevertheless, they recognize programs and certificates from Colorado, Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah, and Virginia.
Requirements
Drivers will have to complete an eight-hour course and get at least 80% on a written test to qualify.
How to Apply
To apply, you may visit the official state information page at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/commercialvehicle/.