New Jersey pilot car regulations

Certification: not published. New Jersey's oversize permit rules (N.J.A.C. 13:18-1) set escort vehicle, sign, flag and light rules but say nothing about a driver certification. No state escort certification program was found.

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

Escort vehicle

The rules do not say what kind of vehicle may be an escort. One escort is needed over 14 ft wide or 100 ft long; two escorts over 16 ft wide or 120 ft long. The lead escort stays 200-500 ft ahead and the rear escort 100-250 ft behind.Source

Sign

Warning sign at least six feet wide by one foot high, reading "WIDE LOAD" or "OVERSIZE LOAD" in black letters at least 10 inches high on a yellow background. With two escorts, the sign goes on the front of the lead escort and the rear of the following escort; with one escort, on the front of the escort if it leads or the rear if it follows.

Lights

Low beam headlamps and red taillamps must be on for all escort vehicles, the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle. No amber light rule found for escorts.

Flags

Red warning flags at least 18 inches square on the two front corners of the lead escort and the two rear corners of the following escort.