Idaho Pilot Car Requirements

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

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Escort & pilot car requirements

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

    Idaho State Police escort required for widths exceeding 18' or at ISP discretion. Required on US-30, US-93, SH-75 canyon segments (IDAPA 39.02.42.015).

  • Height-pole escortover 15'6" height

    Front pilot car must carry height-clearance pole for loads taller than 15'6" (IDAPA 39.02.42.010).

  • Lead (front) pilot carover 105'0" length

    Escort required for overall combinations exceeding 105' on 2-lane and undivided highways (IDAPA 39.02.42.010).

  • Chase (rear) pilot carover 14'0" width

    Second pilot car (rear) added when width exceeds 14'. Lead+chase both required on all routes (IDAPA 39.02.42.010).

  • Lead (front) pilot carover 12'0" width

    One pilot car (position per route) required for widths over 12' on 2-lane state highways. Front placement typical (IDAPA 39.02.42.010).

Travel restrictions

  • Daylight-only travelover 14'0" width

    Loads over 14' wide restricted to daylight movement (sunrise to sunset). Night endorsement requires ITD authorization (IDAPA 39.02.42.010).

  • Weekend / holiday restrictionover 14'0" width

    No movement on New Year's, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas for loads over 14' wide. Restriction begins noon preceding day (IDAPA 39.02.42.010).

Driver & inspection requirements

  • Certified escort driver requiredover 12'0" width

    Idaho requires ITD-certified escort vehicle operators for all permitted oversize moves. Certification renewed every 2 years (IDAPA 39.02.42.010).

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

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