A Reliable Escort Vehicle and Pilot Car Company in California
The role of pilot cars in transporting oversized loads across the states cannot be understated. In California, oversized load permits and pilot cars are required by law. Pilot cars lead or follow an oversized load when in transit to ensure the safety of the load itself and other motorists on the road. These cars warn motorists to keep their distance or clear the road ahead where necessary. Nationwide Transport Services is your go-to provider for California’s best pilot car services. We boast the most experienced drivers and logistics specialists and guarantee a seamless experience with our services.
Pilot cars reduce the transit times for oversized loads by controlling the traffic around the load, ensuring the flow remains smooth. They also guide the load around tight turns or where the roads are too narrow.
A route survey is vital to the transportation of oversized loads. A professional must travel along the route in a pilot car, assessing for tight turns, infrastructure inconveniences, or narrow roads. The height of the bridges, load ratings, and railway crossings must also be documented.
Pilot Car Requirements in California
California has unique requirements for any vehicle serving as a pilot car. To qualify, a vehicle must be at least 60 inches wide and meet all the required licensing and insurance requirements. An escort car must lead all oversized loads across when reviewing an operational California Highway Patrol (CHP) scale and inspection facility. These vehicles communicate with the rest of the convoy using two-way radios and maintain a safe distance from the towing vehicle to allow for both passing and warning oncoming traffic.
Transporting oversized loads in California requires a special permit from the California Department of Transportation Office of Commercial Vehicle Operations.
| Legal Loads Limit | ||
|---|---|---|
| Length: | feet | |
| Width: | 8 feet 6 inches | |
| Height: | 14 feet | |
Single trip permits are required for loads greater than 8 feet 6″ wide, 14 feet 0″ high, and over 80,000 pounds. These oversize permits are valid for seven days in California.
Why You Should Book Our Pilot Car Services
When you book our pilot car services in any state, you can trust that your shipment is in good hands. Below are some over-dimensional load escort services we offer.
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Legal Requirements for Transporting Oversized Loads in California
Length Requirements
In LA County and LA City, one rear and one front pilot car must escort loads with lengths from 85 feet up to 135 feet and loads past 100 feet long. Front and rear law enforcement escorts should accompany the convoy for lengths greater than 150 feet.
Overhang Requirements
A rear pilot car is needed for loads with rear overhangs of more than 5 feet. A front escort is required for loads with front overhangs extending 10 feet or more.
Width Requirements
Loads wider than 12' and up to 14' wide require one front escort on two-lane roads or one rear escort for multilane roads. Loads over 14' wide require one front and one rear pilot car on all roads.
Special Stipulations
Transit of oversized loads is restricted from half an hour before sunrise to the same after sunset. Travel is allowed all day Saturday, but no travel is allowed on Sunday. Travel is not permitted on Memorial Day, Thanksgiving Day, New Year's Day, Labor Day, and Christmas Day.
Height Requirements
Height poles are not a requirement in California but are allowed as a permittee request.
PLACE HOLDER
Let us know the specifications of your load, where you're transporting it to and from,
and the shipping date, and we will offer you a conclusive solution for properly executing the move.
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Each transport, from vehicles to superloads, is handled by a highly trained shipping specialist. Contact our team today for smooth shipment and delivery.!