Florida (FL) Pilot Car & Escort Vehicle Requirements

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

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

Legal Dimensions — Florida

Max Width
8'6"
Max Height
13'6"
Max Length
75'0"
Gross Weight
80,000 lbs
Front Overhang
3'0"
Rear Overhang
4'0"

Interstate Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 12'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
12'1" 14'0" 1 Rear Some 2-lane routes may require 2
14'1" 15'0" 2 Front + Rear
15'1" 20'0" 2 Front + Rear May need state police escort

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
13'7" 14'6" 0 Permit required
14'7" 15'0" 1 Front High pole required
Height pole required
15'1" 16'0" 1 Front Route survey required
Height pole required
16'1" 20'0" 2 Front + Rear 2 escorts with high pole
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
75'1" 95'0" 1 Rear May require 1 rear on some routes
95'1" 150'0" 1 Rear
150'1" 250'0" 2 Front + Rear
250'1" 400'0" 2 Police Front + Rear 1 qualified escort + 1 law enforcement escort required

Overhang

Min OverhangMax Overhang EscortsPositionNotes
20'1" 40'0" 1 Rear Rear overhang past center of last axle

Non-Interstate / State Road Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 12'0" 0 Permit required
12'1" 14'0" 2 Front + Rear 2 escorts on 2-lane roads
14'1" 15'0" 2 Front + Rear
15'1" 20'0" 2 Front + Rear May need state police

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
13'7" 14'6" 0 Permit required
14'7" 15'0" 1 Front High pole required
Height pole required
15'1" 16'0" 1 Front Route survey required
Height pole required
16'1" 20'0" 2 Front + Rear
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
75'1" 95'0" 1 Rear May require 1 rear on some routes
95'1" 150'0" 1 Rear
150'1" 250'0" 2 Front + Rear
250'1" 400'0" 2 Police Front + Rear 1 qualified escort + 1 law enforcement escort required

Overhang

Min OverhangMax Overhang EscortsPositionNotes
20'1" 40'0" 1 Rear Rear overhang past center of last axle

Travel Restrictions

Standard Hours
30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset
Night Travel
Not permitted for oversize loads
Weekend Travel
Loads 10' wide or less, legal length, 14'6" H or less: Sat-Sun all day. Over 10' but 14' wide or less: until noon Sat/Sun.
Holiday Restrictions
Holiday restrictions for loads over 10' wide
Urban Restrictions
Hillsborough and Dade counties: 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM restricted

Signage & Flag Requirements

Oversize Load Sign
Required for loads over 10' wide or over 14' high
Flags
Standard flags at extremities
Additional Notes
Amber 360-degree lights required

Pilot Car Services in Florida

PCP - Pilot Cars & Permits coordinates experienced pilot car operators throughout Florida for both local and interstate moves. From a single-county delivery to a multi-state haul that begins or passes through Florida, 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 Florida and beyond.

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

Need a Pilot Car in Florida?

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