Washington (WA) Pilot Car & Escort Vehicle Requirements

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

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

Legal Dimensions — Washington

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" 14'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
14'1" 20'0" 1 Rear
20'1" 24'0" 2 Front + Rear

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
14'1" 14'6" 0 Permit required
14'7" 20'0" 1 Front High pole required
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
75'1" 125'0" 0 Permit required
125'1" 200'0" 1 Rear

Overhang

Min OverhangMax Overhang EscortsPositionNotes
20'1" 40'0" 1 Front 1 front escort when front overhang exceeds 20' on 2-lane highway (WAC 468-38-100)
20'1" 40'0" 1 Rear 1 rear escort when rear overhang of single-unit vehicle exceeds 20' on 2-lane (WAC 468-38-100); also when tractor-trailer rear overhang exceeds 1/3 trailer length

Non-Interstate / State Road Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 11'0" 0 Permit required
11'1" 16'0" 2 Front + Rear 2 escorts on 2-lane
16'1" 20'0" -1 Case-By-Case Case by case determination

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
14'1" 14'6" 0 Permit required
14'7" 20'0" 1 Front High pole required
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
75'1" 105'0" 0 Permit required
105'1" 200'0" 1 Rear

Overhang

Min OverhangMax Overhang EscortsPositionNotes
20'1" 40'0" 1 Front 1 front escort when front overhang exceeds 20' on 2-lane highway (WAC 468-38-100)
20'1" 40'0" 1 Rear 1 rear escort when rear overhang of single-unit vehicle exceeds 20' on 2-lane (WAC 468-38-100); also when tractor-trailer rear overhang exceeds 1/3 trailer length

Travel Restrictions

Standard Hours
Daylight hours
Night Travel
Not permitted for oversize loads
Weekend Travel
Weekends for loads 10' wide or less and 105' long or less only.
Holiday Restrictions
No travel on holidays or after noon the preceding day
Urban Restrictions
Commuter curfews near Seattle/Everett/Tacoma/Olympia/Vancouver/Kelso

Signage & Flag Requirements

Oversize Load Sign
Required front 5' height, rear 5-7' height
Flags
Standard flags at extremities

Pilot Car Services in Washington

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

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

Need a Pilot Car in Washington?

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