Louisiana pilot car regulations

Certification: not required. Louisiana does not certify escort drivers; instead each escort vehicle needs a Louisiana Escort Vehicle Permit ($10 a year, expires December 31) from the DOTD Truck Permit Office, issued after the vehicle passes an equipment checklist. Louisiana-resident escort drivers need a Class D or E license.

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

Certification program

Louisiana Escort Vehicle Permit (DOTD Truck Permit Office)Source

Other states' cards

Escort vehicles properly registered in other states are accepted by reciprocal agreement. Out-of-state escort companies still register yearly ($10), and an out-of-state escort vehicle needs a 48-hour trip permit for trips that stay inside Louisiana; otherwise it may escort only interstate moves.

Escort vehicle

A car or truck with proper tags; Louisiana-based cars used as escorts must carry commercial plates. Closed vans, buses, campers, motor homes and motorcycles are not allowed, and an escort may never pull a trailer or tow another vehicle.Source

Sign

The escort must carry (for the load, not mounted on the escort) two "OVERSIZE LOAD" signs, 18 inches by 7 feet, black letters on yellow, letters 10 inches high. Door signs: company name and full address, or name, city, state and phone, or a well-known company logo. "WIDE LOAD" signs are not allowed.

Lights

Amber 360-degree warning lamp on the roof: dome lens at least 9 inches across and 4 inches tall (8 x 5 accepted), base at least 60 inches above the road; bar or strobe lights accepted. All front and rear lights working and on while escorting.

Flags

Two 18-inch square red or fluorescent orange flags on a mast on the roof, at 40-70 degrees, no more than 6 inches past the vehicle side and no more than 8 feet wide overall, in line with the light.

Height pole

Pole (height-indicator) vehicles are required in front of loads over 15 feet 10 inches high on state highways (Interstate-only moves exempt). A height-pole escort travels in front; on multi-lane highways a second escort without a pole travels behind. The admin code also strongly recommends a clearance bar for overheight loads.

Other equipment

Two-way radio with the load; two side rear-view mirrors; 10-pound dry chemical fire extinguisher; three or more 15-minute flares (hazard markers may be substituted; the older admin code says four flares, no substitutes); two hand-held red/orange flags; four 18-inch red/orange flags for the load.

Insurance

DOTD's 2026 rule book: escort vehicles need general liability, motor vehicle insurance and workers' compensation, each at least $500,000 (R.S. 32:387.1). The older admin code (LAC 73:I.1901) still lists lower limits ($50,000/$100,000 bodily injury, $50,000 property damage).Source