Virginia Pilot Car Requirements
When does an oversize or overweight load need a pilot car or escort in Virginia? Here are the width, height, length and weight thresholds that trigger an escort, a height pole, or a police escort.
Escort & pilot car requirements
- Lead (front) pilot carover 150'1" length
Length 150'1"–200': 1 front + 1 rear (both road types). Over 200': case-by-case.
- Chase (rear) pilot carover 150'1" length
Length 150'1"–200': 1 front + 1 rear (both road types).
- Chase (rear) pilot carover 120'1" length
Length 120'1"–150': 1 rear escort (both road types).
- Chase (rear) pilot carover 90'1" length
Length 90'1"–120': 1 rear escort (non-interstate only).
- Lead (front) pilot carover 16'1" width
Width 16'1"–18': 2 front + 2 rear escorts (non-interstate); 1 front + 2 rear (interstate). Over 18' case-by-case.
- Chase (rear) pilot carover 16'1" width
Width 16'1"–18': 2 front + 2 rear escorts (non-interstate); 1 front + 2 rear (interstate).
- Lead (front) pilot carover 14'1" width
Width 14'1"–16': 2 front + 1 rear (non-interstate); 1 front + 1 rear (interstate).
- Chase (rear) pilot carover 14'1" width
Width 14'1"–16': 2 front + 1 rear (non-interstate); 1 front + 1 rear (interstate).
- Lead (front) pilot carover 12'1" width
Width 12'1"–14': 1 front + 1 rear (non-interstate); 1 rear only (interstate).
- Chase (rear) pilot carover 12'1" width
Width 12'1"–14': 1 front + 1 rear (non-interstate); 1 rear only (interstate).
- Height-pole escortover 14'5" height
Height over 14'5": 1 front escort with height pole required (both road types). Pole 3" above load height.
- Lead (front) pilot carover 10'0" front overhang front overhang
Front overhang over 10': 1 front escort required (both road types).
- Chase (rear) pilot carover 15'0" rear overhang rear overhang
Rear overhang over 15': 1 rear escort required (both road types).
Travel restrictions
- Daylight-only travelover 8'6" width
Permitted travel sunrise–sunset Mon–Sat. No Sunday travel (except overweight-only or overlength 85' or less).
- Weekend / holiday restrictionover 8'6" width
No travel on 6 state holidays (New Year's, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas). Permit void from noon preceding weekday through the holiday.
Driver & inspection requirements
- Certified escort driver requiredover 12'1" width
All escorts must hold Virginia Certified Vehicle Escort Driver credential (24VAC20-82-130). 5-year term.
Need a pilot car in Virginia? See what a Virginia pilot car costs →
Informational only. These thresholds are compiled from published Virginia DOT references and are not legal or operational advice. Permit conditions can differ from the general tables, and rules change — always verify with the Virginia permit office before you move a load.
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