Kentucky pilot car regulations
Certification: not required. Kentucky's oversize permit rule (601 KAR 1:018) and the Transportation Cabinet's escort page set escort counts and equipment but say nothing about certifying or training escort drivers.
From Kentucky's own rules and pages, checked 2026-10-24. Rules change: the state's page is the last word.
- Escort vehicle
- The rule does not say what kind of vehicle may escort. The escort drives about 300 feet from the load on open highways, closer or farther when safety or the road calls for it.Source
- Sign
- A warning sign stating "OVERSIZE LOAD" shall be displayed on a lead escort vehicle so that it is visible to oncoming traffic (rule: for loads over 12 feet wide). KYTC page: sign 6 to 8 feet wide, black letters on a yellow background, letters at least 18 inches high with a 1.4-inch brush stroke.
- Lights
- Amber strobe lights or flashing lights on the escort vehicle; headlamps lit during transit.
- Height pole
- The front escort must use a height pole when the load is over 14 feet 11 inches high (the KYTC page says 15 feet or more). A route survey form TC95-625 is needed over 15 feet 6 inches.
- Other equipment
- Keep radio contact with the load.