Maryland (MD) Pilot Car & Escort Vehicle Requirements

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

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

Legal Dimensions — Maryland

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" 13'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
13'1" 14'0" 1 Rear
14'1" 16'0" 2 Front + Rear
16'1" 20'0" 2 Police Front + Rear Police escort required

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
13'7" 14'5" 0 Permit required
14'6" 20'0" 1 Front High pole + route survey required
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
53'1" 85'0" 0 Permit required
85'1" 140'0" 1 Rear
140'1" 200'0" 2 Front + Rear

Weight

Min WeightMax Weight EscortsPositionNotes
120,001 lbs 130,000 lbs 1 Police Rear Civilian + police escort if any non-Interstate
130,001 lbs 999,999 lbs 1 Police Rear Police escort even on Interstate-only routes
Route survey required

Non-Interstate / State Road Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 13'0" 0 Permit required. Exception: construction equipment over 12' wide on non-Interstate requires 1 escort. Montgomery/PG Counties: 2 escorts if over 12' on 2-lane.
13'1" 14'0" 1 Rear
14'1" 16'0" 2 Front + Rear
16'1" 20'0" 2 Police Front + Rear Police escort required

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
13'7" 14'5" 0 Permit required
14'6" 20'0" 1 Front High pole + route survey required
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
53'1" 85'0" 0 Permit required
85'1" 140'0" 1 Rear
140'1" 200'0" 2 Front + Rear

Weight

Min WeightMax Weight EscortsPositionNotes
120,001 lbs 130,000 lbs 1 Police Rear Civilian + police escort on non-Interstate
130,001 lbs 999,999 lbs 1 Police Rear Police escort required
Route survey required

Travel Restrictions

Standard Hours
One-half hour after sunrise to one-half hour before sunset
Night Travel
Not permitted for oversize loads
Weekend Travel
No Sunday travel. Saturday limited after noon.
Holiday Restrictions
No travel on major holidays. No toll facilities Friday noon through Monday 9 AM.
Urban Restrictions
Capital Beltway/Baltimore Beltway (over 12' or over 92,000 lbs): 9 AM-3:30 PM weekdays, Saturday until noon.

Signage & Flag Requirements

Oversize Load Sign
Required on oversize loads
Flags
Standard flags at extremities

Pilot Car Services in Maryland

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

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

Need a Pilot Car in Maryland?

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