North Dakota Pilot Car Requirements
When does an oversize or overweight load need a pilot car or escort in North Dakota? Here are the width, height, length and weight thresholds that trigger an escort, a height pole, or a police escort.
Escort & pilot car requirements
- Police / law-enforcement escortover 18'0" width
NDHP escort required for widths over 18' (§37-09-04-01). Advance scheduling required.
- Height-pole escortover 18'0" height
Front pilot car with height pole required when load exceeds 18' in height.
- Lead (front) pilot carover 16'0" width
Front + rear civilian pilot cars required on 2-lane highways for widths over 16'.
- Chase (rear) pilot carover 16'0" width
Rear civilian pilot car required on 4-lane divided roads for widths over 16'.
- Lead (front) pilot carover 14'6" width
1 pilot car required for widths 14'6"–16' on 2-lane roads; amber lights may substitute below 16'.
- Chase (rear) pilot carover 120'0" length
Rear civilian pilot car required for combinations over 120' overall length.
Travel restrictions
- Daylight-only travelover 16'0" width
Sunrise-to-sunset travel only when width exceeds 16'; loads 12' or narrower or overweight-only may travel any time.
- Weekend / holiday restrictionover 16'0" width
Loads over 16' wide restricted noon-to-sunrise on major state holidays.
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Informational only. These thresholds are compiled from published North Dakota DOT references and are not legal or operational advice. Permit conditions can differ from the general tables, and rules change — always verify with the North Dakota permit office before you move a load.
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