Georgia Pilot Car Requirements

When does an oversize or overweight load need a pilot car or escort in Georgia? Here are the width, height, length and weight thresholds that trigger an escort, a height pole, or a police escort.

✓ Cross-checked against the state sourceGeorgia permit source →

Escort & pilot car requirements

  • Lead (front) pilot carover 125 ft length

    Length over 125 ft: 1 front + 1 rear escort required.

  • Chase (rear) pilot carover 125 ft length

    Length over 125 ft: 1 front + 1 rear escort required.

  • Chase (rear) pilot carover 100 ft length

    Over 100 ft up to 125 ft: 1 rear escort required.

  • Chase (rear) pilot carover 75 ft length

    Over 75 ft up to 100 ft: 1 rear escort with amber light required.

  • Lead (front) pilot carover 14'8" width

    Over 14'8" up to 16 ft: 1 front + 1 rear on 2-lane; 1 rear on limited access. Over 16 ft: GDOT case-by-case (houses require police front+rear).

  • Chase (rear) pilot carover 14'8" width

    Over 14'8" up to 16 ft: 1 front + 1 rear on 2-lane; 1 rear on limited access.

  • Lead (front) pilot carover 12 ft width

    12 ft up to 14'8" wide: 1 front + 1 rear on 2-lane; 1 rear on 4-lane; 1 rear/amber on limited access.

  • Chase (rear) pilot carover 12 ft width

    12 ft up to 14'8" wide: 1 front + 1 rear on 2-lane; 1 rear on 4-lane; 1 rear/amber on limited access.

  • Height-pole escortover 15'6" height

    15'6" or greater: 1 front escort with vertical height indicator required.

Driver & inspection requirements

  • Certified escort driver requiredover 12 ft width

    Georgia DOT escort certification required (GAPROS program, effective Jan 1, 2011). Accepts CO/WA/VA/UT/AZ. Reciprocates with NC/FL/OK/WA.

Need a pilot car in Georgia? See what a Georgia pilot car costs →

Informational only. These thresholds are compiled from published Georgia DOT references and are not legal or operational advice. Permit conditions can differ from the general tables, and rules change — always verify with the Georgia permit office before you move a load.

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