Escort requirements, travel restrictions, and signage rules for oversize/overweight loads in Illinois.
PCP - Pilot Cars & Permits provides professional pilot car escort services throughout Illinois. Whether you need a lead vehicle, chase car, or high pole escort, our certified pilots are available 24/7 across Illinois and all connecting states. We handle the coordination so your oversize load moves safely and on time.
| Min Width | Max Width | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8'7" | 14'6" | 0 | — | Permit required, no escort |
| 14'7" | 16'0" | 1 | Rear | |
| 16'1" | 18'0" | 3 | Front + Rear | |
| 18'1" | 20'0" | 3 Police | Front + Rear | State Police required |
| Min Height | Max Height | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13'7" | 14'6" | 0 | — | Permit required |
| 14'7" | 16'0" | 1 | Front |
High pole required. Interstate practical max height is 15'9". Route survey required over 15'6".
Height pole required |
| 16'1" | 18'0" | 2 | Front + Rear |
Route survey + State Police may be required
Height pole required |
| 18'1" | 20'0" | 3 Police | Front + Rear |
3 escorts required; State Police required
Height pole required |
| Min Length | Max Length | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53'1" | 110'0" | 0 | — | Permit required |
| 110'1" | 145'0" | 1 | Rear | |
| 145'1" | 200'0" | 3 | Front + Rear | |
| 200'1" | 300'0" | 3 Police | Front + Rear | State Police required |
| Min Weight | Max Weight | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150,001 lbs | 999,999 lbs | 2 | Front + Rear |
Superload
Route survey required |
| Min Width | Max Width | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8'7" | 14'6" | 0 | — | Permit required |
| 14'7" | 16'0" | 1 | Rear | |
| 16'1" | 18'0" | 3 | Front + Rear | |
| 18'1" | 20'0" | 3 Police | Front + Rear | State Police required |
| Min Height | Max Height | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13'7" | 14'6" | 0 | — | Permit required |
| 14'7" | 16'0" | 1 | Front |
High pole required
Height pole required |
| 16'1" | 18'0" | 2 | Front + Rear |
Route survey + State Police may be required
Height pole required |
| 18'1" | 20'0" | 3 Police | Front + Rear |
3 escorts required for all moves exceeding 18' high (IDOT)
Height pole required |
| Min Length | Max Length | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53'1" | 110'0" | 0 | — | Permit required |
| 110'1" | 145'0" | 1 | Rear | |
| 145'1" | 200'0" | 3 | Front + Rear | |
| 200'1" | 300'0" | 3 Police | Front + Rear | State Police required |
| Min Weight | Max Weight | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150,001 lbs | 999,999 lbs | 2 | Front + Rear |
Superload
Route survey required |
PCP - Pilot Cars & Permits coordinates experienced pilot car operators throughout Illinois for both local and interstate moves. From a single-county delivery to a multi-state haul that begins or passes through Illinois, 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 Illinois and beyond.