Missouri Pilot Car Requirements

When does an oversize or overweight load need a pilot car or escort in Missouri? 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 sourceMissouri permit source →

Escort & pilot car requirements

  • Police / law-enforcement escortover 18'0" width

    MO State Highway Patrol escort required on divided highways for widths over 18' (25.020(9)).

  • Police / law-enforcement escortover 17'0" height

    MO State Highway Patrol escort required when height exceeds 17'.

  • Police / law-enforcement escortover 16'0" width

    MO State Highway Patrol escort required on 2-lane undivided highways for widths over 16'.

  • Police / law-enforcement escortover 150'0" length

    MO State Highway Patrol escort required when overall length exceeds 150'.

  • Lead (front) pilot carover 14'0" width

    Front + rear civilian escorts required on all road types when width exceeds 14' (25.020(9)).

  • Chase (rear) pilot carover 110'0" length

    Rear civilian escort required for combinations over 110' overall length.

  • Height-pole escortover 15'6" height

    Height-pole vehicle required when load exceeds 15'6" in height.

  • Lead (front) pilot carover 12'6" width

    1 front civilian escort required on 2-lane roads for widths 12'6"–14'.

  • Chase (rear) pilot carover 12'6" width

    1 rear civilian escort required on divided roads for widths 12'6"–14'.

Travel restrictions

  • Daylight-only travelover 12'6" width

    Sunrise-to-sunset travel only when width exceeds 12'6"; no Sunday travel statewide.

  • Weekend / holiday restrictionover 12'6" width

    No Sunday travel. No holiday travel on New Year's, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.

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

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

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