Escort requirements, travel restrictions, and signage rules for oversize/overweight loads in South Carolina.
PCP - Pilot Cars & Permits provides professional pilot car escort services throughout South Carolina. Whether you need a lead vehicle, chase car, or high pole escort, our certified pilots are available 24/7 across South 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" | 16'0" | 2 | Front + Rear | |
| 16'1" | 20'0" | 2 Police | Front + Rear | 2 civilian (1 front + 1 rear) + 2 police escorts (1 front + 1 rear) required for width over 16' |
| Min Height | Max Height | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13'7" | 16'0" | 0 | — | Permit required; no mandatory escort below 16' |
| 16'1" | 20'0" | 1 | Front |
1 front lead pole vehicle escort; complete route survey required; clearance must be at least 6" more than load height
Height pole required Route survey required |
| Min Length | Max Length | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75'1" | 125'0" | 0 | — | Permit required |
| 125'1" | 200'0" | 1 | Rear | 1+ escorts depending on configuration |
| Min Overhang | Max Overhang | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15'1" | 30'0" | 2 | Front + Rear | 1 front + 1 rear escort required for overhang exceeding 15' |
| Min Weight | Max Weight | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 130,001 lbs | 999,999 lbs | 0 | — | Mon-Fri only for loads over 130,000 lbs |
| Min Width | Max Width | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8'7" | 12'0" | 0 | — | Permit required |
| 12'1" | 14'0" | 1 | Front | 1 escort on 2-lane roads |
| 14'1" | 16'0" | 2 | Front + Rear | |
| 16'1" | 20'0" | 2 Police | Front + Rear | 2 civilian (1 front + 1 rear) + 2 police escorts (1 front + 1 rear) required for width over 16' |
| Min Height | Max Height | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13'7" | 16'0" | 0 | — | Permit required; no mandatory escort below 16' |
| 16'1" | 20'0" | 1 | Front |
1 front lead pole vehicle escort; complete route survey required; clearance must be at least 6" more than load height
Height pole required Route survey required |
| Min Length | Max Length | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75'1" | 125'0" | 0 | — | Permit required |
| 125'1" | 200'0" | 1 | Rear | 1+ escorts |
| Min Overhang | Max Overhang | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15'1" | 30'0" | 2 | Front + Rear | 1 front + 1 rear escort required for overhang exceeding 15' |
| Min Weight | Max Weight | Escorts | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 130,001 lbs | 999,999 lbs | 0 | — | Mon-Fri only |
PCP - Pilot Cars & Permits coordinates experienced pilot car operators throughout South Carolina for both local and interstate moves. From a single-county delivery to a multi-state haul that begins or passes through South 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 South Carolina and beyond.