Kentucky (KY) Pilot Car & Escort Vehicle Requirements

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

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

Legal Dimensions — Kentucky

Max Width
8'6"
Max Height
13'6"
Max Length
53'0"
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 1 rear escort on 4+ lane divided highways
14'1" 16'0" 2 Front + Rear
16'1" 20'0" 4 2 Front + 2 Rear May require additional coordination

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
13'7" 14'11" 0 Permit required, no escort
15'0" 18'0" 1 Front Front escort with height pole required. Route survey required over 15'6".
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
53'1" 110'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
110'1" 120'0" 1 Rear
120'1" 200'0" 3 1 Front + 2 Rear

Overhang

Min OverhangMax Overhang EscortsPositionNotes
10'1" 20'0" 1 Rear Some highways may require 2 escorts

Weight

Min WeightMax Weight EscortsPositionNotes
80,001 lbs 150,000 lbs 0 Permit required
150,001 lbs 999,999 lbs 2 Front + Rear Route survey may be required for superloads
Route survey required

Non-Interstate / State Road Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 10'6" 0 Permit required, no escort
10'7" 12'0" 1 Front 1 front escort on 2-lane highways
12'1" 14'0" 2 Front + Rear
14'1" 16'0" 2 Front + Rear
16'1" 20'0" 4 2 Front + 2 Rear

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
13'7" 14'11" 0 Permit required, no escort
15'0" 18'0" 1 Front Front escort with height pole required. Route survey required over 15'6".
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
53'1" 75'0" 0 Permit required
75'1" 85'0" 1 Front
85'1" 200'0" 3 1 Front + 2 Rear

Overhang

Min OverhangMax Overhang EscortsPositionNotes
10'1" 20'0" 1 Rear Some highways may require 2 escorts

Weight

Min WeightMax Weight EscortsPositionNotes
80,001 lbs 150,000 lbs 0 Permit required
150,001 lbs 999,999 lbs 2 Front + Rear Route survey may be required
Route survey required

Travel Restrictions

Standard Hours
Sunrise to sunset
Night Travel
Not permitted for oversize loads
Weekend Travel
Check permit for specific restrictions
Holiday Restrictions
No travel on major holidays
Urban Restrictions
Rush hour restrictions in specific counties: 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM

Signage & Flag Requirements

Oversize Load Sign
Required for loads exceeding 10'6" wide. 6-8 feet wide, 'OVERSIZE LOAD' in black letters 18" high.
Flags
Required on all four corners and extremities of wide loads
Additional Notes
Over-length loads require flagging but not signs. Permits valid for 10 calendar days.

Pilot Car Services in Kentucky

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

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

Need a Pilot Car in Kentucky?

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