Escort Vehicle and Special Equipment Requirements

General Escort Vehicle Requirements

  • The operator of an escort vehicle shall, consistent with applicable law, warn the traveling public when:
    • a permitted vehicle must travel over the center line of a narrow bridge or roadway;
    • a permitted vehicle makes any turning movement that will require the permitted vehicle to travel in the opposing traffic lanes;
    • a permitted vehicle reduces speed to cross under a low overhead obstruction or over a bridge;
    • a permitted vehicle creates an abnormal and unusual traffic flow pattern; or
    • in the opinion of TxDOT, warning is required to ensure the safety of the traveling public or safe movement of the permitted vehicle.
  • Escort Guidelines
    • If your vehicle and load exceed 14 feet wide, 17 feet high, or 110 feet long, one escort is required. If traveling on a two-lane highway, the escort must be in the front of the load. If traveling on a highway with four or more lanes, the escort must be in the rear.
    • When the load exceeds 17 high, your escort must travel in front and be equipped with a height pole.
    • If your vehicle and load exceed 16 feet wide, 18 high or 125 feet long, both front and rear escorts are required. When the load exceeds 18 high, your front escort must be equipped with a height pole.
  • Law Enforcement Assistance
    • Additionally, TxDOT may require that the person obtaining a permit also obtain law enforcement assistance when a permitted vehicle is being moved within the corporate limits of a city, or at such times when law enforcement assistance would provide for the safe movement of the permitted vehicle and the traveling public.

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Convoy Escort Requirements

Title Other
110 feet, 1 inch to 125 feet

One escort per load, or convoy two to four loads with one front and one rear escort
125 feet, 1 inch to 150 feet Front and rear escorts per load, or convoy two to four loads with one front and one rear escort
150 feet, 1 inch to 180 feet Front and rear escorts per load, or convoy up to two loads with one front and one rear escort

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Spacing and Lighting of a Load

Each permitted load in the convoy must:
  • Travel at least 1,000 feet, but not more than 2,000 feet, from any other permitted load in the convoy.
  • Have a rotating amber beacon or an amber pulsating light not less than eight inches in diameter mounted at the top rear of the load.

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Special Escort Requirements

  • Manufactured Housing
    • If the load exceeds 16 feet wide, but does not exceed 18 feet wide, one escort is required. If traveling on a two-lane highway, the escort must be in the front of the load. If traveling on a highway with four or more lanes, the escort must be in the rear.
    • If the load exceeds 18 feet wide, two escorts are required: one in the front and one in the rear.
  • Convoy Regulations
    • Two manufactured homes, or two halves of a double-wide manufactured home, may be moved in convoy and share the required escorts if the distance between the two units does not exceed 1,000 feet. Each unit requires their own permit.
  • Portable Buildings
    • If the load exceeds 16 feet wide, but does not exceed 18 feet wide, one escort is required. If traveling on a two-lane highway, the escort must be in the front of the load. If traveling on a highway with four or more lanes, the escort must be in the rear.
    • If the load exceeds 18 feet wide, two escorts are required: one in the front and one in the rear.

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Equipment Requirements

An escort vehicle must:

  • Be a single unit with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of not less than 1,000 pounds, not more than 10,000 pounds.
  • Be equipped with two flashing amber lights or one rotating amber beacon of not less than eight inches in diameter, affixed to the roof of the escort vehicle, which must be visible to the front, sides, and rear of the escort vehicle when it is actively engaged in escort duties for the permitted vehicle.
  • Display a sign, on either the roof of the vehicle, or the front and rear of the vehicle, with the words "OVERSIZE LOAD" or "WIDE LOAD." The sign must be visible from the front and rear of the vehicle while escorting the permitted load. The sign must meet the following specifications:
    • at least five feet, but not more than seven feet, in length, and at least 12 inches, but not more than 18 inches in height;
    • the sign must have a yellow background with black lettering;
    • letters must be at least eight inches, but not more than 10 inches, high with a brush stroke at least 1.41 inches wide; and
    • the sign must be visible from the front or rear of the vehicle while escorting the permitted vehicle, and the sign must not be used at any other time.
  • Maintain two-way radio communications with the permitted vehicle and other escort vehicles involved with the movement of the permitted vehicle.
  • Warning flags must be either red or orange fluorescent material, at least 12 inches square, securely mounted on a staff or securely fastened by at least one corner to the widest extremities of an over-width permitted vehicle, and at the rear of an over-length permitted vehicle or a permitted vehicle with a rear overhang in excess of four feet.

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Equipment Requirements for Motorcycles

  • An official law enforcement motorcycle may be used as a primary escort vehicle for a permitted vehicle traveling within the limits of an incorporated city if a highway patrol officer, sheriff, duly authorized deputy, or municipal police officer operates the motorcycle.
  • An escort motorcycle must maintain two-way radio communications with the permitted vehicle and other escort vehicles involved with the movement of the permitted vehicle.

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