California pilot car regulations

Certification: not required. Caltrans's permit manual and pilot car conditions set no pilot car driver certification. The trucking company must brief the pilot car drivers on their duties before the move, and the pilot car driver must make sure the car is equipped as the Vehicle Code requires.

From California's own rules and pages, checked 2026-10-24. Rules change: the state's page is the last word.

Escort vehicle

Caltrans does not limit the vehicle type in its permit pages. A pilot car may not tow another vehicle or escort more than one load unless the permit says so.Source

Sign

CVC 27904.5: neat, clean, legible signs reading "OVERSIZE" (or "OVERSIZE LOAD", "WIDE LOAD", "LONG LOAD"), at least 48 inches above the ground, legible at 45 degrees from either side from front or rear, bright yellow background of at least 440 square inches, black letters at least 6 inches high with at least a 1-inch brush stroke. Remove or cover signs when not escorting (CVC 35783.5).

Lights

CVC 25270: flashing amber warning lights to the front, sides or rear, on while escorting; removed or covered with opaque material when not escorting.

Flags

CVC 28100: at least one red warning flag on each side, at least 16 inches square, visible from front and rear; removed or covered when not working as a pilot car.

Height pole

Vertical clearance measuring devices must comply with CVC 28102 and 35252 (Caltrans cites these sections without quoting them).

Other equipment

Two-way radio contact with the escorted load. Pilot cars go with the load over all open CHP scales and inspection facilities. STOP/SLOW paddles may not be shown from the window of a moving vehicle. Other equipment rules: CVC 28101.