Iowa pilot car regulations
Certification: not required. Iowa has no escort driver certification. The escort must be 18 or older, hold a driver's license that allows driving alone, and carry proof of liability insurance.
From Iowa's own rules and pages, checked 2026-10-24. Rules change: the state's page is the last word.
- Minimum age
- 18
- Escort vehicle
- The escort must be a midsize car or truck that can help in an emergency and gives a clear view front and rear. It cannot tow a trailer while escorting. Each load needs its own escort, about 300 feet ahead or behind.Source
- Sign
- A sign reading "Oversize Load", at least 18 inches high by 7 feet long, with black letters at least 10 inches high and a 1.5-inch stroke on a yellow background. (Rule 511.20(3) lists this under criteria for the escorting vehicle but says it is mounted on the front bumper and on the rear of the load.)
- Lights
- A flashing or strobe amber light, visible for at least 500 feet and giving 360-degree warning, mounted on top of the escort vehicle and burning while escorting.
- Flags
- An 18-inch by 18-inch red or orange fluorescent flag on each corner of the escort vehicle's front bumper.
- Height pole
- A pole for measuring vertical clearances is mounted on the front escort vehicle; the escort must measure all vertical clearances when the load is over 14 feet 6 inches up to and including 20 feet high.
- Other equipment
- Before each trip the escort checks the vehicle is safe and the load's dimensions match the permit. The escort must not stop traffic; an on-duty peace officer must be called for traffic control. Flags, lights and signs are removed or covered when the vehicle is within legal dimensions.
- Insurance
- The escort carries proof of public liability insurance of $100,000/$200,000/$50,000.Source