British Columbia Pilot Cars / Escort Vechicle Requirements

When Pilot Cars are Required 

Pilot Car requirements for oversize load moves on provincial highways will be established by the terms of the permit issued for the move. These permits also establish other terms for the move, including time of day movement restrictions. 

One or two pilot cars may be required when the load width, length, or height result in needing additional roadway space to maneuver. Basic rules for whether one pilot car should be in front of or behind the load are set out in the Commercial Transport Regulations, section 8.08. When two pilot cars are used, generally one is positioned as lead and the other follows the load as the rear pilot car. The main duties of the rear pilot car driver are to communicate with the load driver about surrounding traffic or other obstacles, and to monitor the load. 

Three or more pilot cars may be required for more complex moves. The requirements and typical positioning of the pilot cars would be set out in the permit conditions and may vary depending on the locations and situations along the route. A third pilot car would typically assume the scout pilot car position and may travel well ahead of the load and lead pilot car in order to identify appropriate traffic control locations or pinch points ahead of time. 

CVSE 1000 and other T-forms set out the general pilot car requirements. The load permit may have additional requirements. If a transportation management plan has been required as a condition of approval for the move, it may have further pilot car and traffic control requirements.

Pilot car Equipment requirements

Every operator of a pilot car shall ensure that the pilot car is

• while escorting a vehicle and load, equipped with a roof mounted "Long Load", "Wide Load", "Oversize Load" or "D" sign,
• while escorting a vehicle or a vehicle and load in excess of 27.5 m in length and less than 3.2 m in width, equipped with a roof mounted "Long Load", "Oversize Load" or "D" sign and
• while escorting a vehicle or a vehicle and load in excess of 3.2 m in width, equipped with a roof mounted "Wide Load", "Oversize Load" or "D" sign.

The sign referred to above shall

• have a box, made from mild steel, stainless steel or aluminum, that is 180 cm x 35 cm x 10 cm, and has an interior coated with a white reflective material, has 8 lamps mounted in it and spaced so as to give even lighting of the sign background, and shelters all wire connectors, switches, flashers and similar wiring components for the lighting attached to it, and
• be double faced on 3 mm plexiglas background that in the case of a "Wide Load", "Long Load" or "Oversize Load" sign, has a yellow background and black lettering of 28 cm in height and 4 cm stroke, or 20 cm in height and C Series lettering, as set out under the US Federal Highway Administration Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, as amended from time to time, and in the case of a "D" sign.

The lamps referred to in the previous paragraph shall have a rating of 12.5 volts, minimum 5 candela, and design amps. 3.

The sign box referred to above shall

• have mounted on it 2 amber lamps (one at each end) that are at least 17.75 cm in diameter, and meet SAE Standard J595, Class 2 yellow, or
• include the mounting of 2 standard 203 mm rotating amber or strobe lights (one at each end with 2 sealed beam units per lamp) on the pilot car sign, and
• be designed to mount on car-top carriers or equal mountings, and
• have an upright position and folded horizontal position.

Pilot car escort — proximity

• A pilot car when escorting an oversize vehicle or load on a 2 lane or 3 lane highway shall precede the oversize vehicle or load at a distance of not less than 100 m nor more than 500 m.
• When escorting an oversize vehicle or load on a 4 lane or divided highway, the pilot car shall follow the oversize vehicle or load at a distance of not less than 100 m nor more than 500 m.
• Despite paragraph 1, on 2, 3 or 4 lane highways a pilot car required for escorting overlength vehicles, and loads in excess of 27.5 m in length and not exceeding 3.2 m in width shall travel to the rear of the escorted vehicle.

Proximity exception

Notwithstanding section 8.08, a lead pilot car shall when necessary precede the oversize vehicle or load through tunnels, structures, etc., at an adequate distance so as to provide ample warning for oncoming vehicles.

Source of information: http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/loo89/loo89/30_78

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/driving-and-transportation/transportation-infrastructure/engineering-standards-and-guidelines/traffic-engineering-and-safety/traffic-engineering/traffic-management-and-traffic-control/tcm-work-on-roadways/tcm_appendix_g-pilotcar.pdf