Virginia Pilot Car Requirements

Length over 150': 1 front + 1 rear escort on ALL routes — "One front and one rear escort is required on all routes when the permitted load exceeds 150 feet in length" (24VAC20-82-130). EXCLUSIVE: exactly 150'0" does not trigger. "Permit loads that exceed 18 feet wide or 200 feet long will be handled on a case-by-case basis."

Length over 150': 1 front + 1 rear escort on ALL routes — "One front and one rear escort is required on all routes when the permitted load exceeds 150 feet in length" (24VAC20-82-130). EXCLUSIVE: exactly 150'0" does not trigger.

Length over 120': 1 rear escort on INTERSTATE routes — "One rear escort is required on interstate routes when the permitted load exceeds 120 feet in length" (24VAC20-82-130). On noninterstate routes the rear escort has applied since 90'. EXCLUSIVE.

Length over 90': 1 rear escort on NONINTERSTATE routes — "One rear escort is required on noninterstate routes when the permitted load exceeds 90 feet in length" (24VAC20-82-130). Interstate routes stay clear until over 120'. EXCLUSIVE.

Width over 16': "Two front and two rear escorts are required on noninterstate routes when the permitted load exceeds 16 feet in width"; on interstate routes "One front and two rear escorts are required ... when the permitted load exceeds 16 feet in width" (24VAC20-82-130). Over 18' wide is case-by-case. EXCLUSIVE.

Width over 16': "Two front and two rear escorts are required on noninterstate routes when the permitted load exceeds 16 feet in width"; on interstate routes "One front and two rear escorts are required ... when the permitted load exceeds 16 feet in width" (24VAC20-82-130). EXCLUSIVE.

Width over 14': "Two front and one rear escorts are required on noninterstate routes when the permitted load exceeds 14 feet in width"; on interstate routes "One front and one rear escort is required ... when the permitted load exceeds 14 feet in width" (24VAC20-82-130). EXCLUSIVE.

Width over 14': "Two front and one rear escorts are required on noninterstate routes when the permitted load exceeds 14 feet in width"; on interstate routes "One front and one rear escort is required ... when the permitted load exceeds 14 feet in width" (24VAC20-82-130). EXCLUSIVE.

Width over 12': "One front and one rear escort is required on noninterstate routes when the permitted load exceeds 12 feet in width." On interstate routes only the rear is required: "One rear escort is required on interstate routes when the permitted load exceeds 12 feet in width" (24VAC20-82-130). EXCLUSIVE.

Width over 12': "One front and one rear escort is required on noninterstate routes when the permitted load exceeds 12 feet in width." On interstate routes only the rear is required: "One rear escort is required on interstate routes when the permitted load exceeds 12 feet in width" (24VAC20-82-130). EXCLUSIVE.

Height over 14'5": 1 front escort with height pole required (both road types). Pole 3" above load height.

Front overhang over 10': 1 front escort required (both road types).

Rear overhang over 15': 1 rear escort required (both road types).

Permitted travel sunrise–sunset Mon–Sat. No Sunday travel (except overweight-only or overlength 85' or less).

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.

All escorts must hold the Virginia Certified Vehicle Escort Driver credential (24VAC20-82-130); 5-year term. SCOPE WARNING: keyed to the lowest width at which Virginia requires an escort ("exceeds 12 feet in width"), so it will not fire for a narrow-but-long or narrow-but-tall load that still needs an escort under the length or height triggers.