Texas (TX) Pilot Car & Escort Vehicle Requirements

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

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

Legal Dimensions — Texas

Max Width
8'6"
Max Height
14'0"
Max Length
59'0"
Gross Weight
80,000 lbs
Front Overhang
3'0"
Rear Overhang
4'0"

Interstate Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 14'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
14'1" 16'0" 1 Rear 1 rear escort on multi-lane highway (TxDMV)
16'1" 18'0" 1 Rear 1 rear escort on multi-lane; 1 front on 2-lane (TxDMV)
18'1" 20'0" 2 Front + Rear Front + rear escorts on all roads over 18'

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
14'1" 17'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
17'1" 18'0" 1 Front Utility clearance required
Height pole required
18'1" 20'0" 2 Front + Rear Utility clearance required
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
59'1" 110'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
110'1" 125'0" 1 Rear
125'1" 200'0" 2 Front + Rear

Overhang

Min OverhangMax Overhang EscortsPositionNotes
20'1" 30'0" 1 Rear
30'1" 50'0" 2 Front + Rear Special approval required

Weight

Min WeightMax Weight EscortsPositionNotes
200,001 lbs 254,300 lbs 2 Front + Rear Superload - requires route analysis
Route survey required
254,301 lbs 999,999 lbs 2 Police Front + Rear Super heavy permit required, detailed engineering analysis
Route survey required

Non-Interstate / State Road Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 14'0" 0 Permit required; no escort on Texas roads up to 14' wide
14'1" 16'0" 1 Front 1 front escort on two-lane highway (TxDMV)
16'1" 18'0" 1 Front 1 front escort on 2-lane; 1 rear on multi-lane (TxDMV)
18'1" 20'0" 2 Front + Rear Front + rear escorts on all roads over 18'

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
14'1" 17'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
17'1" 18'0" 1 Front Utility clearance required
Height pole required
18'1" 20'0" 2 Front + Rear Utility clearance required
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
59'1" 110'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
110'1" 125'0" 1 Front 1 front escort on two-lane highway (TxDMV)
125'1" 200'0" 2 Front + Rear Front + rear escorts on all roads over 125'

Overhang

Min OverhangMax Overhang EscortsPositionNotes
20'1" 30'0" 1 Rear
30'1" 50'0" 2 Front + Rear Special approval required

Weight

Min WeightMax Weight EscortsPositionNotes
200,001 lbs 254,300 lbs 2 Front + Rear Superload - requires route analysis
Route survey required
254,301 lbs 999,999 lbs 2 Police Front + Rear Super heavy permit required
Route survey required

Travel Restrictions

Standard Hours
One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset
Night Travel
Loads under 10' wide, legal height, and under 100' long may travel at night on Interstate only
Weekend Travel
Daylight travel allowed Saturday and Sunday
Holiday Restrictions
No movement after 12:00 PM the day before major holidays (New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas)
Urban Restrictions
None specified statewide

Signage & Flag Requirements

Oversize Load Sign
Required on escort vehicles only
Flags
Red/orange flags at all extremities of the load
Additional Notes
Signs on escort vehicles: 5'-7' length x 12" height, 'OVERSIZE LOAD' or 'WIDE LOAD'

Pilot Car Services in Texas

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

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

Need a Pilot Car in Texas?

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