Tennessee (TN) Pilot Car & Escort Vehicle Requirements

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

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

Legal Dimensions — Tennessee

Max Width
8'6"
Max Height
13'6"
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" 12'6" 0 Permit required; no escort on interstate / 4-lane up to 12'6"
12'7" 13'6" 1 Rear 1 follow escort on interstate / 4-lane highways
13'7" 20'0" 2 Front + Rear Front + rear escorts required on all highways over 13'6"

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
13'7" 15'0" 0 Permit required
15'1" 15'6" 1 Front High pole required
Height pole required
15'7" 20'0" 1 Front High pole + utility coordination required
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
75'1" 90'0" 0 Permit required; 75'-90' requires amber rotating/strobe light
90'1" 120'0" 1 Rear 1 follow escort
120'1" 200'0" 2 Front + Rear 1 precede + 1 follow over 120'

Weight

Min WeightMax Weight EscortsPositionNotes
200,001 lbs 999,999 lbs 2 Front + Rear Detailed structural review required
Route survey required

Non-Interstate / State Road Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 10'0" 0 Permit required
10'1" 12'6" 1 Front 1 precede escort on 2-lane where minimum pavement width (excluding shoulders) <24'
12'7" 13'6" 1 Front 1 precede escort on 2-lane
13'7" 20'0" 2 Front + Rear Front + rear escorts on all highways over 13'6"

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
13'7" 15'0" 0 Permit required
15'1" 15'6" 1 Front High pole required
Height pole required
15'7" 20'0" 1 Front High pole + utility coordination
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
75'1" 90'0" 0 Permit required; 75'-90' requires amber rotating/strobe light
90'1" 120'0" 1 Front 1 follow escort
120'1" 200'0" 2 Front + Rear 1 precede + 1 follow over 120'

Weight

Min WeightMax Weight EscortsPositionNotes
200,001 lbs 999,999 lbs 2 Front + Rear Detailed structural review
Route survey required

Travel Restrictions

Standard Hours
Daylight, Monday through Saturday
Night Travel
Not permitted for oversize loads
Weekend Travel
No Sunday travel.
Holiday Restrictions
No travel on major holidays
Urban Restrictions
7-9 AM and 4-6 PM restricted for loads over 12'6" wide or over 85' long in populated areas

Signage & Flag Requirements

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

Pilot Car Services in Tennessee

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

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

Need a Pilot Car in Tennessee?

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