Quebec Pilot Cars / Escort Vechicle Requirements

When Escort Vehicles are Required:

FRONT ESCORT (an escort vehicle is required and must follow the outsized vehicle where, including the load and equipment):

(1)  the width of the vehicle exceeds 3.75 m and it travels on a road that has more than one traffic lane in the direction travelled by the vehicle;

(2)  the length exceeds:

(a)  17 m for a single unit vehicle;

(b)  21 m for a crane;

(c)  27.50 m for a combination of 2 road vehicles, including a combination of road vehicles consisting of a crane and a trailer;

(d)  30 m for a combination of 3 vehicles consisting of a tractor, a hauled dolly and a semi-trailer or for a combination of vehicles covered by a Class 2 permit;

(3)  the rear overhang exceeds the limits prescribed in subparagraph d of paragraph 1 of section 2.

REAR ESCORT (an escort vehicle is required and must precede the outsized vehicle where, including the load and equipment):

(1)  the width of the vehicle exceeds 3.75 m and it travels on a road that has only one traffic lane in the direction travelled by the vehicle;

(2)  the width of vehicle exceeds 3.10 m without exceeding 3.75 m and the vehicle travels at night on a road that has only one traffic lane in the direction travelled by the vehicle, except for a vehicle used in snow removal, provided that its equipment does not extend beyond the left side of the vehicle by more than 60 cm and beyond the right side by more than 130 cm, measured at the widest part of the vehicle, excluding its compulsory attachments;

(3)  the height of the vehicle exceeds 4.50 m;

(4)  the front overhang exceeds the limits prescribed in subparagraph d of paragraph 1 of section 2.

2 ESCORT VEHICLES (one in front of and the other behind the outsized vehicle) are required where:

(1)  the width of the vehicle, including the load and equipment, exceeds 4.40 m and the vehicle travels on a road that has only one traffic lane in the direction travelled by the vehicle;

(2)  the escorted vehicle is covered by one of the conditions provided for in the first paragraph requiring an escort vehicle behind the escorted vehicle and by one of the conditions provided for in the second paragraph requiring an escort vehicle in front of the escorted vehicle.

Where 2 escorted vehicles travel in convoy, 2 escort vehicles are required, one in front of and the other behind the convoy. Notwithstanding the foregoing, where only one escort vehicle is required for each of the escorted vehicles and that escort vehicle is required to precede or follow each of them, only one escort vehicle is required to precede or follow the convoy.

In the case of a Class 2 permit, the width must be measured at the widest part of the building, excluding the roof.

Escort Vehicles Requirements:

An escort vehicle must:

1. have a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 4,500 kg;
2. be equipped with flares, lamps or reflectors visible up to a distance of not less than 300 m;
3. be equipped with 2 amber lights, at least 1 m apart, with a range of 360º, or 3 amber lights with the centre light having a range of 360º and the other 2 being flashing lights at least 1 m apart. The lights must operate at a rate of 60 to 90 cycles per minute. The light with a range of 360º must have a lens at least 10 cm in height whose width or diameter at that height is at least 12 cm and must be visible in every direction up to a minimum distance of 300 m. The flashing lights must have a minimum diameter of 17.50 cm and must be visible up to a minimum distance of 300 m from the front and the rear.

Source of information: http://legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/ShowDoc/cr/C-24.2,%20r.%2035/