Pilot car regulations by state
16 states require escort drivers to be certified, and each accepts its own list of other states' cards. Tap a state for its vehicle, sign, light and insurance regulations.
From each state's rules and pages, checked 2026-10-24. Your permit and the state's rules come first.
- Certification required
- Not required
- Rules don't say
Whose cards each state accepts
| State | Accepts |
|---|---|
| Alabama | The rule says a list of states with approved escort certification is on the ALDOT Permit Office website, but the link in the rule is dead and no list is posted on the current OS/OW permits page. |
| Alaska | Not published |
| Arizona | A certificate issued by another state satisfies Arizona's certification rule, but does not by itself let the driver do traffic control except as ADOT rules allow. |
| Colorado | Colorado accepts certification from Arizona, Florida, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Utah, Washington and the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association. |
| Florida | Florida accepts escorts qualified by another state whose standards are equal to or stricter than Florida's, if qualified or requalified within the past four years. The UF T2 Center says Florida has reciprocity with other states that require an 8-hour course. |
| Georgia | The rule allows reciprocity with states that have a similar escort certification program. DPS says the course is not required for drivers from states with reciprocity agreements with Georgia; GDOT's 2010 announcement said it recognizes other states' certifications for drivers with a valid out-of-state license and certification. No current list of states was found. |
| Kansas | Not published |
| Minnesota | Minnesota accepts current certifications from Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Washington, as long as the driver meets Minnesota insurance, driver, vehicle, sign, lighting and safety equipment rules. A Minnesota resident whose out-of-state card has expired must get Minnesota certification. |
| Nevada | Not published |
| New Mexico | Drivers must be licensed under the escort-driver rules of the state where they live; the vehicle itself still needs a New Mexico certification before entering the state. |
| New York | None. New York does not recognize escort driver certifications from other states. Out-of-state drivers with a valid home-state licence can get a New York escort certification (not the endorsement). |
| North Carolina | North Carolina accepts active escort certifications from Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia and Washington (Colorado does not accept North Carolina's). North Carolina law enforcement officers also qualify. |
| Oklahoma | Drivers who live in another state may use that state's certification if that state has a reciprocal agreement with Oklahoma. Oklahoma residents must always hold an Oklahoma certification. The rule does not list the states. |
| Utah | Drivers who live outside Utah may use their home state's certification if that state's course meets the national Pilot Escort Training Manual minimums. UDOT may also sign reciprocity agreements; the list of reciprocity states is available from the Motor Carrier Division. |
| Virginia | Virginia accepts certificates from states with substantially similar programs that it has a reciprocity agreement with; DMV says the only current agreement is with North Carolina. |
| Washington | Washington accepts certifications from Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah and Virginia. |
Every state
| State | Certification | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Required | 18 |
| Alaska | Required | 18 for noncommercial escort vehicles; 19 for intrastate commercial; 21 for interstate commercial |
| Arizona | Required | 18 |
| Arkansas | Not required | — |
| California | Not required | — |
| Colorado | Required | 18 |
| Connecticut | Not required | — |
| Delaware | Not required | — |
| District of Columbia | Not required | — |
| Florida | Required | 18 |
| Georgia | Required | 21, or 18 with a Class A CDL (the application form also allows 18-20 with employer sponsorship) |
| Hawaii | Not required | — |
| Idaho | Not required | — |
| Illinois | Not required | 18 |
| Indiana | Not published | — |
| Iowa | Not required | 18 |
| Kansas | Required | — |
| Kentucky | Not required | — |
| Louisiana | Not required | — |
| Maine | Not required | 18 |
| Maryland | Not required | — |
| Massachusetts | Not published | — |
| Michigan | Not published | — |
| Minnesota | Required | 18 |
| Mississippi | Not required | — |
| Missouri | Not required | 18 |
| Montana | Not required | — |
| Nebraska | Not required | — |
| Nevada | Required | 18 |
| New Hampshire | Not required | — |
| New Jersey | Not published | — |
| New Mexico | Required | 18 |
| New York | Required | 21 |
| North Carolina | Required | 18 |
| North Dakota | Not required | 18 |
| Ohio | Not required | — |
| Oklahoma | Required | 18 |
| Oregon | Not required | — |
| Pennsylvania | Not required | 21 (Certified Escort Vehicle drivers only) |
| Rhode Island | Not published | — |
| South Carolina | Not published | — |
| South Dakota | Not published | — |
| Tennessee | Not published | — |
| Texas | Not required | — |
| Utah | Required | 18 |
| Vermont | Not published | — |
| Virginia | Required | 18 |
| Washington | Required | — |
| West Virginia | Not required | — |
| Wisconsin | Not required | 18 |
| Wyoming | Not required | — |