Pre Form - On Sticky Header

Pilot Car and Route Surveying Services Provider in Kentucky

Shipping Quote - Homepage

Pilot Car and Escort Vehicle Services in Kentucky

Shipping oversized loads in Kentucky can be daunting due to the many regulations and paperwork involved. Failure to comply with oversized regulations results in fines and delays to your shipment. Wide Load Shipping saves you time and money by handling every step involved in transporting over-dimensional loads. We help acquire permits, insurance policies, utility company consent letters, and police escorts. With over a decade of experience in the industry, our pilot car services are the go-to choice for many customers in the state. Our services are readily available for local and interstate shipments nationwide. Kentucky law requires pilot cars for all oversized and overweight loads that qualify under the state’s standard regulations or those deemed necessary by the Department of Transportation. Pilot cars are pivotal in ensuring road safety and that your load does not suffer damage during shipping. We handle various oversized loads, including large mining equipment, industrial equipment, mobile homes, and construction materials. Book now for a free estimate. 

icon of truck that hauls oversize equipment
Logo 04

When are Pilot and Escort Cars Required in Kentucky?

Factors like route taken usually determine the number and type of required pilot cars for a specific load by how many dimensions exceed the legal limit. The state Department of Transportation may sometimes recommend extra escorts in addition to the standard ones. The regular requirements for pilot cars are:

  • Length: On two lanes, loads over 75′ require one rear escort or pilot vehicle. Loads over 85′ on two lanes require one front and one rear escort or pilot vehicle. Loads over 110′ on four lanes require one rear escort or pilot vehicle.
  • Width: Loads over 10’6″ on two lanes require one front escort or pilot vehicle.  On two lanes, loads over 12′ require one front escort or pilot vehicle and one rear escort or pilot vehicle. Loads over 12′ on four lanes require one rear escort or pilot vehicle.
  • Height: Loads over 14′-11″ high require one front escort with a height pole on both two- and four-lane roads.

Pilot and Escort Vehicle Certifications in Kentucky

Kentucky pilot cars must meet the requirements below when escorting oversized loads on public roads.

  • Escort vehicles should accompany overweight or overly dimensional vehicles at a minimum distance of 300 feet on open highways unless road conditions or safety reasons require traveling closer or farther away from the escorted vehicle.
  • Lead pilot vehicles should display a warning sign visible to oncoming traffic from the front and rear. The warning sign should measure six ′ to eight′ in width, stating “OVERSIZE LOAD” in black letters on a yellow background. The black letters shall be at least 18″ tall (457.2 millimeters) and written in a brush stroke of at least 1.4″ (35.56 millimeters).
  • The escort vehicle must always maintain radio contact with the load via a two-way CB radio.  
  • They should have amber strobe or flashing lights mounted on the vehicle’s roof and must keep their headlamps lit during transit.
  • A height pole should be deployed on front escorts if the escorted load is 15′ or greater.

Get Your Wide Load Shipping Quote!

Haul your heavy load with the best transporters in the industry!

Transport Your Load On The Right Trailer With Us

Double Drop Deck Trailer

Max Dimensions: 29FT Length, 8.5FT Width, and 11.5FT Height

Max Weight: 45,000LBS

icon of extended double drop trailer

Step Deck Trailer

Max Dimensions: 53FT Length, 8.5FT Width, and 11.5FT Height

Max Weight: 48,000LBS

icon of step deck trailer

Removable Gooseneck Trailer (RGN)

Max Dimensions: 53FT Length, 8.5FT Width, and 11.6FT Height

Max Weight: 150,000LBS

RGN trailer Illustration

Flatbed Trailer

Max Dimensions: 53FT Length, 8.5FT Width, and 8.5FT Height

Max Weight: 48,000LBS

icon of flat bat trailer

Get Your FREE Oversize Shipping Estimate

Shipping Quote - Mid Page

Oversize Load Route Surveying Services in Kentucky

Route survey involves our specialists scouting the entirety of potential roadways to determine if an oversized load can safely make it through. We also identify railway crossings, overhead utilities like traffic signals and power lines, height clearances, bridge weight limits, and any ongoing or planned road construction. We use this data to plan for the quickest routes to minimize time spent on the road or, waiting for issuance of permits or for utilities to be moved out of the way. Wide Load Shipping compensates utility companies’ costs incurred and arranges for representatives where needed. Many of Kentucky’s highways are ideal for transporting oversized loads. Examples of some of the key routes include;

  • US Route 60: Runs east-west across the state.
  • US Route 127: A north-south route connecting central Kentucky to the surrounding areas.
  • Interstate 65 (I-65): A major north-south route through the western part of the state ideal for traveling to and from Louisville.
  • Interstate 75 (I-75) Runs through eastern Kentucky, connecting major cities like Lexington. 
  • Interstate 64 (I-64): connecting Louisville to Lexington and extending to the state’s eastern side.

Wide Load Shipping offers unmatched pilot car services in Kentucky. Contact us today to book our services.