Utah Pilot Cars / Escort Vechicle Requirements

When Escort Vehicles are Required:

Civil Escort Requirements

Police Escort Requirements

Pilot Vehicle Standards

Pilot/escort vehicles may be either a passenger vehicle or a two-axle truck with a 95-inch minimum wheelbase and a maximum gross vehicle weight of 12,000 lbs. and properly registered and licensed as required under Sections UCA 41-1a-201 and UCA 41-1a-401.

Equipment shall not reduce visibility or mobility of pilot/escort vehicle while in operation.

Trailers may not be towed at any time while in pilot/escort operations.

Pilot/escort vehicles shall be equipped with a two-way radio capable of transmitting and receiving voice messages over a minimum distance of one-half mile. Radio communications must be compatible with accompanying pilot/escort vehicles, utility company vehicles, permitted vehicle operator and police escort, when necessary.

When operating with police escorts a CB radio is required.

Pilot/escort vehicles may not carry a load.

Pilot/Escort Vehicle Signing Requirements

Sign requirements on pilot/escort vehicles are as follows:

• Pilot escort vehicles must display an "Oversize Load" sign, which must be mounted on the top of the pilot/escort vehicle.
• Signs must be a minimum of five feet wide by 10-inch high visible surface space, with a solid yellow background and eight inch high by one inch wide black letters. Solid defined as: When being viewed from the front or rear at a 90-degree angle, no light can transmit through.
• The sign for the front/pilot escort vehicle shall be displayed so as to be clearly legible and readable by oncoming traffic at all times.
• The rear pilot/escort vehicle shall display its sign so as to be readable by traffic overtaking from the rear and clearly legible at all times.

Pilot/Escort Vehicle Lighting Requirements

Two methods of lighting are authorized by the Department. Requirements are as follows:

• Two AAMVA approved amber flashing lights mounted with one on each side of the required sign. These shall be a minimum of six inches in diameter with a capacity of 60 flashes per minute with warning lights illuminated at all times during operation, or
•  An AAMVA approved amber rotating, oscillating, or flashing beacon/light bar mounted on top of the pilot/escort vehicle. This beacon/light bar must be unobstructed and visible for 360 degrees with warning lights illuminated at all times during operation.

Incandescent, strobe or diode (LED) lights may be used provided they meet the above criteria.

Pilot/Escort Vehicle Equipment Requirements

Pilot/escort vehicles shall be equipped with the following safety items:

• Standard 18 inch or 24 inch red/white "STOP" and black/orange "SLOW" paddle signs. Construction zone flagging requires the 24-inch sign. For nighttime travel moves, signs must be reflective in accordance with MUTCD standards.
• Nine reflective triangles or 18-inch reflective orange traffic cones (not to replace the following two items).
• Eight red-burning flares, glow sticks or equivalent illumination device approved by the Department.
• Three orange, 18-inch high cones.Flashlight with a minimum 1 1/2 inch lense diameter, with extra batteries or charger (emergency type shake or crank will not be allowed). + 6 inch minimum length red or orange cone for use when directing traffic.
• Orange hardhat and Class 2 safety vest for personnel involved in pilot/escort operations. Class 3 safety vests are required for nighttime moves
• A height-measuring pole made of a nonconductive, non-destructive, flexible or frangible material, only required when escorting a load exceeding 16 feet in height.
• Fire extinguisher.
• First aid kit must be clearly marked.
• One spare "oversize load" sign, seven feet by 18 inches.
• Serviceable spare tire, tire jack and lug wrench.
• Handheld two way simplex radios or other compatible form of communication for operations outside pilot/escort vehicles.

   * Vehicles shall not have unauthorized equipment on the vehicle such as those generally reserved for law enforcement personnel.

Police Escort Vehicle Equipment and Safety Requirements

Police escort vehicles shall be equipped with the following safety items:

• All officers must have a CB radio to communicate with the pilot and transport vehicles.
• Officers shall complete a Utah Law Enforcement Check List and Reporting Criteria Form.
• Officers shall verify that all pilot/escorts are in possession of current pilot/escort inspections, or they shall complete an inspection prior to load movement.
• Police vehicles must be clearly marked with emergency lighting visible 360 degrees.
• Officers shall be in uniform while conducting police escort moves.

Insurance

Driver shall possess a current certificate of insurance or endorsement which indicates that the operator, or the operator's employer, has in full force and effect not less than $750,000 combined single limit coverage for bodily injury and/or property damage.

Flagging Requirements

During the movement of an over-dimensional load/vehicle, the pilot/escort driver, in the performance of the flagging duties required by these rules, may control and direct traffic to stop, slow or proceed in any situation(s) where it is deemed necessary to protect the motoring public from the hazards associated with teh movement of the over-dimensional load/vehicle. The pilot/escort driver, acting as a flagger, may aid the over-dimensional load/vehicle in the safe movement along the highway designated on the over-dimensional load permit and shall:

• Assume the proper flagger position outside the pilot/escort vehicle, and as a minimum standard, have in use the necessary safety equipment as defined in 6E.1 of the MUTCD, and
• Use stop/slow paddles or a 24" red/orange square flag to indicate emergency situations, and other equipment as described in 6E.1 of the MUTCD; and
• Comply with the flagging procedures and requirements as set forth in the MUTCD and the Utah Department of Transportation Flagger Training Handbook

Pilot/Escort Driver Requirements

Individuals who operate a pilot/escort vehicle must meet the following requirements:

Must be a minimum of 18 years of age.

Possess a valid drivers license for the state jurisdiction in which he/she resides.

The following state certification is currently accepted in Utah: Colorado, Washington, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Florida and Arizona.

Pilot/escort drivers will be issued a certification card by an authorized Qualified Certification Program as outlined in R912-10, and shall have it in their possession at all times while in pilot/escort operations.

Initial certification will be valid for four years from the date of issue. One additional fouryear certification may be obtained through a mail in or on-line re-certification process provided by a Qualified Pilot/Escort Training Entity/Institution.

Pilot/escort drivers must provide a current (within 30 days) Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) certification to the Qualified Certification Program at the time of the course.

Current certification for pilot/escort operators will be honored through expiration date. Prior to expiration of pilot/escort certification it will be the responsibility of the operator to attend classroom instruction provided by an authorized Pilot/Escort Qualified Certification Program. A list of these providers can be obtained by calling (801) 965-4559.

No passengers under 16 years of age are allowed in pilot/escort vehicles during movement of oversize loads.

A pilot/escort driver must meet the requirements of 49 CFR 391.11 if using a vehicle for escort operations in excess of 10,000 lbs GVWR.

Driver Certification Process

Drivers domiciled in Utah must complete a pilot/escort certification course authorized by the Department. A list of authorized instructors may be obtained by contacting (801) 965-4559.

Pilot/escort drivers domiciled outside of Utah may operate as a certified pilot/escort driver with another State's certification credential, provided the course meets the minimum requirements outlined in the Pilot/Escort Training Manual - Best Practices Guidelines as endorsed by the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association, Federal Highway Administration, and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance; and/or

The Department may enter into a reciprocal agreement with other states provided they can demonstrate that course materials are comprehensive and meet minimum requirements outlined by the Department. For a current listing of these states, contact the Motor Carrier Division at (801)-965-4559.

Pilot/escort driver certification expires four years from the date issued. It will be the responsibility of the driver to maintain certification.

Source of information: https://www.udot.utah.gov/main/f?p=100:pg:0:::1:T,V:393,

http://www.commuterlink.utah.gov/ie.htm