Alabama (AL) Pilot Car & Escort Vehicle Requirements

Escort requirements, travel restrictions, and signage rules for oversize/overweight loads in Alabama.

PCP - Pilot Cars & Permits provides professional pilot car escort services throughout Alabama. Whether you need a lead vehicle, chase car, or high pole escort, our certified pilots are available 24/7 across Alabama and all connecting states. We handle the coordination so your oversize load moves safely and on time.

Legal Dimensions — Alabama

Max Width
8'6"
Max Height
13'6"
Max Length
85'0"
Gross Weight
80,000 lbs
Front Overhang
3'0"
Rear Overhang
5'0"

Interstate Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 12'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
12'1" 14'0" 1 Rear 1 front on 2-lane roads; 1 rear on multilane
14'1" 20'0" 2 Front + Rear

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
13'7" 15'0" 0 Permit required
15'1" 15'6" 0 Route survey required
15'7" 20'0" 1 Front Height indicator (high pole) required
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
85'1" 90'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
90'1" 125'0" 1 Rear
125'1" 150'0" 2 Front + Rear
150'1" 200'0" 2 Front + Rear Law enforcement escort required

Overhang

Min OverhangMax Overhang EscortsPositionNotes
5'1" 30'0" 1 Rear Rear overhang over 5'

Weight

Min WeightMax Weight EscortsPositionNotes
180,001 lbs 999,999 lbs 2 Front + Rear Superload
Route survey required

Non-Interstate / State Road Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 12'0" 0 Permit required
12'1" 14'0" 1 Front 1 front escort on 2-lane roads
14'1" 20'0" 2 Front + Rear

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
13'7" 15'0" 0 Permit required
15'1" 15'6" 0 Route survey required
15'7" 20'0" 1 Front Height indicator (high pole) required
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
85'1" 90'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
90'1" 125'0" 1 Rear
125'1" 150'0" 2 Front + Rear
150'1" 200'0" 2 Front + Rear Law enforcement escort required

Overhang

Min OverhangMax Overhang EscortsPositionNotes
5'1" 30'0" 1 Rear

Weight

Min WeightMax Weight EscortsPositionNotes
180,001 lbs 999,999 lbs 2 Front + Rear Superload
Route survey required

Travel Restrictions

Standard Hours
Sunrise to sunset, Monday through Saturday
Night Travel
Not permitted for oversize loads
Weekend Travel
No Sunday travel.
Holiday Restrictions
No travel on major holidays
Urban Restrictions
None specified statewide

Signage & Flag Requirements

Oversize Load Sign
Required front and rear
Flags
Flags at corners

Pilot Car Services in Alabama

PCP - Pilot Cars & Permits coordinates experienced pilot car operators throughout Alabama for both local and interstate moves. From a single-county delivery to a multi-state haul that begins or passes through Alabama, our team matches your load with the right escorts — lead cars, chase cars, high pole escorts, and steer cars — based on the dimension thresholds and travel rules outlined above.

Because oversize requirements change at every state line, we plan your route end to end so your equipment stays compliant from origin to destination. Our dispatchers handle scheduling, positioning, and communication with your drivers, keeping your oversize or overweight load moving safely and on time across Alabama and beyond.

Disclaimer: These regulations are for informational purposes only. Always verify with the Alabama Department of Transportation before moving any oversize/overweight load. Regulations change frequently.

Need a Pilot Car in Alabama?

Call us at (214) 550-7192 or order online. Our pilots are ready to escort your load anywhere in Alabama and beyond.