West Virginia pilot car regulations
Certification: not required. West Virginia's escort rule (157CSR5 section 6.14) sets vehicle and equipment rules but names no escort driver certification or training.
From West Virginia's own rules and pages, checked 2026-10-24. Rules change: the state's page is the last word.
- Escort vehicle
- The escort vehicle must weigh more than 2,000 lb, have a GVWR under 26,001 lb, and be properly licensed. It must carry company or owner name signs (at least 8 x 12 in, with phone number) on both sides.Source
- Sign
- Bumper-mounted or roof-mounted yellow 5' x 12" sign reading "OVERSIZE LOAD" with black letters 10 inches high, 1-1/2 inch brush stroke, visible from front or rear.
- Lights
- Rotating or strobe amber flashing light, visible from at least 500 feet and visible 360 degrees.
- Flags
- Two red or safety orange flags, at least 18 inches square, mounted at a 40 to 70 degree angle on the roof rack, or flags on all four corners of the vehicle.
- Other equipment
- For-hire escorts: CB radio or other two-way radio to the load; two 5 lb ABC fire extinguishers; STOP/SLOW paddle at least 18 in across with 6 in letters; safety orange vest, shirt or jacket (worn when directing traffic); red hand flag (18 in); two yellow OVERSIZE LOAD banners with black letters; three reflective triangles or 24 in cones.