New Brunswick Pilot Cars / Escort Vechicle Requirements

When Escort Vehicles are Required

ON 2-LANE HIGHWAYS: At the FRONT of loads exceeding 3.65 m (12 ft.) in width. At the FRONT and REAR of loads exceeding 4.88 m (16 ft.) in width. At the REAR of loads exceeding 27.5 m (90 ft.) in length. 

ON MULTI-LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAYS: At the REAR of loads exceeding 3.05 m (10 ft.) in width, for nighttime travel only. At the REAR of loads exceeding 3.65 m (12 ft.) in width. At the REAR of loads exceeding 30.0 m (98 ft. 5 in.) in length. 

ON ALL HIGHWAYS: At the FRONT of loads with FRONT overhangs exceeding 3.05 m (10 ft.) At the REAR of loads with REAR overhangs exceeding 3.05 m (10 ft.) 

Additional escorts may also be stipulated. 

1. When proceeding at a speed greater than 50 km/h, escorts must maintain a distance of not more than 300 m (984 ft.) or less than 250 m (820 ft.) from the vehicle conveying the load. 
   
2. When proceeding at a speed of less than 50 km/h, escorts must maintain a distance of 150 m (492 ft.) from the vehicle conveying the load. 
   
3. Escort vehicles are limited to 2 axles and maximum GVW of 8,000 kgs. 
   

Equipment Required

360º amber warning light required at the front of vehicle conveying load, and on roof of escorts: Minimum visibility of 300 m (984 ft.) in all directions. 60 to 90 flashes per minute. Minimum mounting height is 1.5 m (5 ft.) from the highway. More than one light may be required to provide 360º visibility around the vehicle. 

Bright fluorescent red or orange flags 40 cm x 40 cm minimum (16 in. x 16 in.) must be at the extremities of all overwidth and overlength loads. 

Flashing amber lights, visible from a distance of 150 m (492 ft.), are required on extremities of loads exceeding 3.65 m (12 ft.) in width, or 27.5 m (90 ft.) in length, on front overhangs exceeding 100 cm (3 ft. 3 in.). 

"D PANEL" signs must be legible at least 125 m (410 ft.) must be displayed as follows: 

• On FRONT and REAR of vehicle when width exceeds 3.05 m (10 ft.). 
• On REAR of vehicle when transporting overlength loads. 
• On REAR of vehicle when rear overhang exceeds 200 cm (6 ft. 6 in.). 
• On FRONT of vehicle when front overhang exceeds 100 cm (3 ft. 3 in.). 
• Escort vehicles must be equipped with either a “D” sign or a lighted sign box which must be visible to approaching traffic: (i) From the FRONT when leading an overdimensional vehicle or load. (ii) From the REAR when following an overdimensional vehicle or load.

“D” sign or lighted sign box are only to be displayed when an oversize move is in progress. 

NOTE: “D” sign or lighted sign box are to be constructed as per diagrams on the NBDOT website: http://www.gnb.ca/0113/trucking/D_sign_specs_English_August_2009.pdf 27. Reflective tape is required on both sides of front overhang exceeding 100 cm (3 ft. 3 in.), and rear overhang exceeding 200 cm (6 ft. 6 in.), for night travel only. 

Source of information: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/trans/pdf/en/Trucking/ConditionsMovement.pdf