Montana (MT) Pilot Car & Escort Vehicle Requirements

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

Legal Dimensions — Montana

Max Width
8'6"
Max Height
14'0"
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" 16'6" 0 Permit required, no escort
16'7" 18'0" 1 Rear 1 rear on interstate
18'1" 20'0" 2 Rear 2 rear (side by side) on interstate

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
14'1" 17'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
17'1" 24'0" 1 Front 1 front pilot vehicle with height pole required
Height pole required
24'1" 30'0" 2 Front + Rear 1 front with height pole + 1 rear pilot vehicle
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
75'1" 120'0" 0 Permit required
120'1" 200'0" 1 Rear

Weight

Min WeightMax Weight EscortsPositionNotes
54,301 lbs 999,999 lbs 2 Front + Rear DW21 tridem over 54,300 lbs = 2 escorts

Non-Interstate / State Road Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 12'6" 0 Permit required
12'7" 16'6" 1 Front 1 front on 2-lane and non-interstate roads
16'7" 20'0" 2 Front + Rear

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
14'1" 30'0" 0 Height escorts are required on interstate only in Montana; no mandatory height escort on non-interstate

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
75'1" 120'0" 0 Permit required
120'1" 200'0" 1 Rear
200'1" 999'0" 2 Front + Rear Superload length — 1 front + 1 rear required

Weight

Min WeightMax Weight EscortsPositionNotes
54,301 lbs 999,999 lbs 2 Front + Rear DW21 tridem over 54,300 lbs = 2 escorts

Travel Restrictions

Standard Hours
Daylight hours
Night Travel
24/7 for loads 10' wide or less, 14'6" H, 110' long
Weekend Travel
Red Route highways: no travel after 3 PM Friday through sunrise Saturday for oversized.
Holiday Restrictions
No travel on major holidays
Urban Restrictions
None specified statewide

Signage & Flag Requirements

Oversize Load Sign
Required for loads over 10' wide
Flags
Standard flags at extremities
Additional Notes
Long Load sign for over 105' non-Interstate or over 120' Interstate
Disclaimer: These regulations are for informational purposes only. Always verify with the Montana Department of Transportation before moving any oversize/overweight load. Regulations change frequently.

Moving an Oversize Load Through Montana?

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