Pilot Car and Route Surveying Services in Virginia

Pilot car and escort vehicle in Virginia must satisfy the following requirements:

• Virginia state shipping regulations require pilot car drivers to test at a DMV office before working in this state if they escort a load over 12′ in width. The certification of the Virginia State Shipping Regulations is valid for five years.  
• One flashing or strobe amber light must be horizontally mounted above the top (roof) of pilot cars (escort vehicles) and visible from a 360-degree angle at a minimum of 500 feet.  The minimum strobe or flash height from the top of the roof must be 4″. 
• All pilot car/escort vehicles must have a CB radio or 2-way communication devices.  All pilot cars/escort vehicles must display a bumper or roof-mounted “OVERSIZE LOAD,” “WIDE LOAD,” or “LONG LOAD” sign visible from both the front and rear of the vehicle.   The sign must be at least 5′ long and 12″ in height, yellow with black letters no less than 10″ tall and 1 1/2″ in width.  
• Pilot cars must have a handheld sign with the words “STOP” on one side and “SLOW” on the other, dimensions of no less than 18″ in diameter, and a minimum of 6″ letters to be used in controlling traffic. Also, a safety-colored (red, orange, yellow, or lime green) vest, jacket, or shirt must be worn while directing traffic and must be worn anytime the shipment will encroach traffic in ANY manner.