Ohio Pilot Car Requirements
When does an oversize or overweight load need a pilot car or escort in Ohio? Here are the width, height, length and weight thresholds that trigger an escort, a height pole, or a police escort.
Escort & pilot car requirements
- Chase (rear) pilot carover 14'10" height
Height over 14'10": front + rear escorts required.
- Height-pole escortover 14'10" height
Height over 14'10": 1 front + 1 rear with height-sensing pole required.
- Lead (front) pilot carover 14'6" width
Width over 14'6": 1 front + 1 rear escort required.
- Chase (rear) pilot carover 14'6" width
Width over 14'6": 1 front + 1 rear escort required.
- Height-pole escortover 14'6" height
Height over 14'6" (14'10" or less): 1 front escort with height-sensing pole required.
- Lead (front) pilot carover 13'0" width
Width over 13' (14'6" or less): 1 front escort on 2-lane; 1 rear escort on multi-lane.
- Chase (rear) pilot carover 90'0" length
Length over 90': 1 rear escort. If combined with over 13' width, 2 escorts (front + rear) required.
Travel restrictions
- Weekend / holiday restrictionover 12'0" width
Over 12' wide: prohibited Sat 3pm–1/2hr before sunrise Sun; Sun 3pm–1/2hr before sunrise Mon; Fri 3pm–1/2hr before sunrise Sat (Apr 1–Nov 30). Urban curfews 6:30–9am and 4:30–6pm major metro counties. Holiday blackout: noon before through sunrise after (OAC § 5501:2-1-09(A)).
- Daylight-only travelover 8'6" width
Overdimensional loads: 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hr after sunset, Sun–Sat. Overweight-only loads may travel 24/7.
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Informational only. These thresholds are compiled from published Ohio DOT references and are not legal or operational advice. Permit conditions can differ from the general tables, and rules change — always verify with the Ohio permit office before you move a load.
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