New Hampshire (NH) Pilot Car & Escort Vehicle Requirements

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

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

Legal Dimensions — New Hampshire

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" 11'11" 0 Permit required, no escort
12'0" 14'11" 1 Rear 1 rear escort on divided highway
15'0" 17'11" 1 Police Rear 1 escort + 1 NH State Police escort (48hr notice)
18'0" 20'0" 1 Police Rear 1 escort + 2 NH State Police escorts

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
13'7" 14'0" 0 Route survey required over 13'6"
Route survey required
14'1" 20'0" 1 Front 1 high-pole escort + utility coordination
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
53'1" 79'11" 0 Permit required, no escort
80'0" 99'11" 1 Rear 1 escort required
100'0" 200'0" 1 Police Rear 1 escort + NH State Police (48hr notice) unless safety not compromised

Overhang

Min OverhangMax Overhang EscortsPositionNotes
15'0" 30'0" 1 Rear 1 escort at 15'+ overhang; combined with width 12'+ on 2-lane undivided = 2 escorts

Non-Interstate / State Road Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 11'11" 0 Permit required
12'0" 14'11" 1 Front 1 front escort on undivided 2-lane
15'0" 17'11" 1 Police Front 1 escort + 1 NH State Police escort (48hr notice)
18'0" 20'0" 1 Police Front 1 escort + 2 NH State Police escorts

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
13'7" 14'0" 0 Route survey required over 13'6"
Route survey required
14'1" 20'0" 1 Front 1 high-pole escort + utility coordination
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
48'1" 79'11" 0 Permit required, no escort
80'0" 99'11" 1 Rear 1 escort required
100'0" 200'0" 1 Police Rear 1 escort + NH State Police (48hr notice) unless safety not compromised

Overhang

Min OverhangMax Overhang EscortsPositionNotes
15'0" 30'0" 1 Rear 1 escort at 15'+ overhang; combined with width 12'+ on 2-lane undivided = 2 escorts

Travel Restrictions

Standard Hours
Daylight, Monday through Friday
Night Travel
Not permitted for oversize loads
Weekend Travel
No weekend after noon Saturday. No Sunday travel.
Holiday Restrictions
No travel on major holidays. Spring thaw weight limits.
Urban Restrictions
Manchester: 7-9 AM and 3-6 PM restricted

Signage & Flag Requirements

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

Pilot Car Services in New Hampshire

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

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

Need a Pilot Car in New Hampshire?

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