Missouri pilot car regulations

Certification: not required. Missouri has no escort certification. The driver must have a valid licence, obey traffic laws and be at least 18. The permit holder is responsible for making sure escorts follow the rules.

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

Minimum age

18

Escort vehicle

A licensed single-unit vehicle of standard size with a clear view front and rear, in safe working order: a car, pickup, utility vehicle, station wagon or similar.Source

Sign

OVERSIZE LOAD signs on the front and/or rear of the escort vehicle, whichever applies to the move; a roof-mounted sign printed on both sides is acceptable. Minimum 5 feet long by 1 foot high with letters at least 10 inches high, black on yellow, visible for at least 300 feet. The legend reads 'OVERSIZE LOAD' or 'WIDE LOAD'.

Lights

No amber beacon rule found for escort vehicles. For emergency moves, escorts must use clearance lights instead of flags, with reflectorized signs, at night or when visibility is under 500 feet.

Flags

At least two red or orange fluorescent warning flags on staffs at the two front corners for a front escort, or the rear corners for a rear escort. Flags must be clean, red, yellow or orange fluorescent, in good condition, with no advertising or wording, at least 18 inches square.

Height pole

Loads over 15'6" high need a front height-detection vehicle with a vertical clearance detection device and direct, continuous, uninterrupted two-way communication with the power unit; it counts as the front escort.

Other equipment

Continuous, uninterrupted two-way communication with the power unit is required for the height escort and on wider loads (for example loads over 12'6" wide). Escorts travel about 300 feet in front of or behind the load. The escort driver may act as the flagger and must have proper training in directing traffic.

Insurance

The rule makes the permit holder responsible for keeping the escort's minimum financial responsibility, as required by law, in force at all times. No separate escort insurance amount is set.Source