Rhode Island Pilot Car Requirements
When does an oversize or overweight load need a pilot car or escort in Rhode Island? 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 95'0" length
Length over 95': 1 front + 1 rear escort required.
- Chase (rear) pilot carover 95'0" length
Length over 95': 1 front + 1 rear escort required.
- Lead (front) pilot carover 13'6" width
Width over 13'6": 1 front + 1 rear escort required.
- Chase (rear) pilot carover 13'6" width
Width over 13'6": 1 front + 1 rear escort required.
- Pilot car (front or rear)over 13'11" height
Height over 13'11": 1 escort where best utilized.
- Pilot car (front or rear)over 15'0" rear overhang rear overhang
Overhang 15' or greater: 1 escort on the overhang side required.
- Chase (rear) pilot carover 80'0" length
Length 80'–95': 1 rear escort required.
- Chase (rear) pilot carover 11'11" width
Width over 11'11" (under 13'6"): 1 rear escort required.
Travel restrictions
- Daylight-only travelover 11'11" width
Travel permitted 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hr after sunset only.
- Weekend / holiday restrictionover 11'11" width
No weekend travel. Holidays prohibited: New Year's, Memorial Day, Victory Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.
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Informational only. These thresholds are compiled from published Rhode Island DOT references and are not legal or operational advice. Permit conditions can differ from the general tables, and rules change — always verify with the Rhode Island permit office before you move a load.
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