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South Dakota (SD) Pilot Car & Escort Vehicle Requirements

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

Legal Dimensions — South Dakota

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" 16'0" 0 — Permit required; no escort up to 16' on interstate
16'1" 20'0" 1 Rear 1 rear escort on interstate (divided) highways over 16' wide

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
14'1" 14'6" 0 — Permit required; no mandatory escort below 14'6"
14'7" 16'6" 1 Front 1 front escort with high pole over 14'6"; loads up to 16'6" may travel continuously on interstates per SD trucking handbook
Height pole required
16'7" 20'0" 1 Front 1 front escort with high pole + utility coordination required
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
75'1" 130'0" 0 — Permit required
130'1" 200'0" 1 Rear

Non-Interstate / State Road Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 10'0" 0 — Permit required
10'1" 20'0" 0 — 1 front escort required in Black Hills area only (state highways, except US 16 Rapid City-Keystone Wye and US 18); no escort elsewhere up to 20'
20'1" 24'0" 1 Front 1 front escort on 2-lane state highways over 20' wide; multiple escorts + flagpersons if load extends >2' into adjacent lane

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
14'1" 14'6" 0 — Permit required; no mandatory escort below 14'6"
14'7" 16'6" 1 Front 1 front escort with high pole over 14'6"; loads up to 16'6" may travel continuously on interstates per SD trucking handbook
Height pole required
16'7" 20'0" 1 Front 1 front escort with high pole + utility coordination required
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
75'1" 130'0" 0 — Permit required
130'1" 200'0" 1 Front 1 front escort on 2-lane highways for combinations over 130'

Travel Restrictions

Standard Hours
Daylight hours
Night Travel
Loads 10' wide or less, 14'6" H, 110' L: continuous on interstates + 2mi radius of interchange
Weekend Travel
Standard daylight travel
Holiday Restrictions
No travel on major holidays
Urban Restrictions
None specified statewide

Signage & Flag Requirements

Oversize Load Sign
Required for loads over 12' wide or over 95' long
Flags
Standard flags at extremities
Disclaimer: These regulations are for informational purposes only. Always verify with the South Dakota Department of Transportation before moving any oversize/overweight load. Regulations change frequently.

Moving an Oversize Load Through South Dakota?

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