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North Carolina (NC) Pilot Car & Escort Vehicle Requirements

Escort requirements, travel restrictions, and signage rules for oversize/overweight loads in North Carolina.

Legal Dimensions — North Carolina

Max Width
8'6"
Max Height
13'6"
Max Length
75'0"
Gross Weight
80,000 lbs
Front Overhang
3'0"
Rear Overhang
4'0"

Interstate Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 12'0" 0 — Permit required, no escort
12'1" 14'0" 1 Rear
14'1" 15'0" 2 Front + Rear
15'1" 20'0" 2 Front + Rear May need police escort

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
13'7" 14'5" 0 — Permit required, no escort
14'6" 15'0" 1 Front High pole required. I-40 tunnels TN line: eastbound >13'11" and westbound >14'2" require 1 high pole
Height pole required
15'1" 20'0" 1 Front High pole + utility coordination required
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
75'1" 110'0" 0 — Permit required, no escort
110'1" 150'0" 1 Rear
150'1" 200'0" 2 Front + Rear

Overhang

Min OverhangMax Overhang EscortsPositionNotes
15'1" 30'0" 1 Rear

Weight

Min WeightMax Weight EscortsPositionNotes
150,000 lbs 999,999 lbs 1 Rear Escort required for loads over 149,999 lbs

Non-Interstate / State Road Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 12'0" 0 — Permit required, no escort
12'1" 14'0" 1 Front Front escort on 2-lane roads
14'1" 20'0" 2 Front + Rear

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
13'7" 14'5" 0 — Permit required
14'6" 15'0" 1 Front High pole required
Height pole required
15'1" 20'0" 1 Front High pole + utility coordination
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
75'1" 110'0" 0 — Permit required
110'1" 150'0" 1 Rear
150'1" 200'0" 2 Front + Rear

Overhang

Min OverhangMax Overhang EscortsPositionNotes
15'1" 30'0" 1 Rear

Weight

Min WeightMax Weight EscortsPositionNotes
150,000 lbs 999,999 lbs 1 Rear Escort required for loads over 149,999 lbs

Travel Restrictions

Standard Hours
Sunrise to sunset, Monday through Saturday
Night Travel
Not permitted for oversize loads
Weekend Travel
No Sunday travel. Saturday sunrise to sunset.
Holiday Restrictions
No travel on major holidays
Urban Restrictions
7-9 AM and 4-6 PM restricted within 10 miles of Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill for loads over 10' wide

Signage & Flag Requirements

Oversize Load Sign
Required on oversize loads
Flags
Standard flags at extremities
Disclaimer: These regulations are for informational purposes only. Always verify with the North Carolina Department of Transportation before moving any oversize/overweight load. Regulations change frequently.

Moving an Oversize Load Through North Carolina?

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