Escort requirements, travel restrictions, and signage rules for oversize/overweight loads in North Carolina.
PCP - Pilot Cars & Permits provides professional pilot car escort services throughout North Carolina. Whether you need a lead vehicle, chase car, or high pole escort, our certified pilots are available 24/7 across North Carolina 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" | 12'0" | 0 | — | Permit required, no escort |
| 12'1" | 14'0" | 1 | Rear | |
| 14'1" | 15'0" | 2 | Front + Rear | |
| 15'1" | 20'0" | 2 | Front + Rear | May need police escort |
| Min Height | Max Height | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13'7" | 14'5" | 0 | — | Permit required, no escort |
| 14'6" | 15'0" | 1 | Front |
High pole required. I-40 tunnels TN line: eastbound >13'11" and westbound >14'2" require 1 high pole
Height pole required |
| 15'1" | 20'0" | 1 | Front |
High pole + utility coordination required
Height pole required |
| Min Length | Max Length | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75'1" | 110'0" | 0 | — | Permit required, no escort |
| 110'1" | 150'0" | 1 | Rear | |
| 150'1" | 200'0" | 2 | Front + Rear |
| Min Overhang | Max Overhang | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15'1" | 30'0" | 1 | Rear |
| Min Weight | Max Weight | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150,000 lbs | 999,999 lbs | 1 | Rear | Escort required for loads over 149,999 lbs |
| Min Width | Max Width | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8'7" | 12'0" | 0 | — | Permit required, no escort |
| 12'1" | 14'0" | 1 | Front | Front escort on 2-lane roads |
| 14'1" | 20'0" | 2 | Front + Rear |
| Min Height | Max Height | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13'7" | 14'5" | 0 | — | Permit required |
| 14'6" | 15'0" | 1 | Front |
High pole required
Height pole required |
| 15'1" | 20'0" | 1 | Front |
High pole + utility coordination
Height pole required |
| Min Length | Max Length | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75'1" | 110'0" | 0 | — | Permit required |
| 110'1" | 150'0" | 1 | Rear | |
| 150'1" | 200'0" | 2 | Front + Rear |
| Min Overhang | Max Overhang | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15'1" | 30'0" | 1 | Rear |
| Min Weight | Max Weight | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150,000 lbs | 999,999 lbs | 1 | Rear | Escort required for loads over 149,999 lbs |
PCP - Pilot Cars & Permits coordinates experienced pilot car operators throughout North Carolina for both local and interstate moves. From a single-county delivery to a multi-state haul that begins or passes through North Carolina, 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 North Carolina and beyond.