California Pilot Car Services

Providing the best California pilot car services for all your oversize and super load needs.

(800) 908-6206

Expert and Professional California Pilot Car Services

Obtaining pilot car transport doesn't have to be stressful. Choose our pilot car services, and you'll work with an expert escort vehicle transport provider with years of experience coordinating heavy equipment deliveries traveling through California. Our pilot car transport company offers a comprehensive, oversized transport service. In addition, we have a directory with vetted and licensed pilot car companies in California ready to help you haul oversized loads in California safely. Not only can we provide timely pilot car delivery, but our pilot vehicle services can include arranging for a professional route survey, applying for DOT permits, and more.


Our pilot car directory gives you access to professionals who will create an appropriate travel schedule, conduct route surveys, obtain permits for oversized travel, and more. Your escort car delivery can be requested anywhere in California: Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, San Francisco, or anywhere between. We'll accommodate your pilot vehicle request, no matter where you are. Our pilot car delivery services are available nationwide thanks to the vast Heavy Haulers escort car company network we've cultivated over the years. Even if you're traveling from California to neighboring states, we will provide an escort car to travel with you. Call now! (800) 908-6206


Pilot Car Companies in California

HH Logo
Name States Served Phone Number
Heavy Equipment Transport CO (239) 677-4002
Nationwide Transport Services AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA (407) 574-4797
Wide Load Shipping MT, AL, LA, AZ, FL (239) 202-0846
E&E Pilot Car Services AL (205) 258-8059
JKA Express Pilot Car Service, LLC VA, MD, NC, DE, PA (804) 238-8216
RAMSEY PILOT CAR NV, CA, UT, WA, ID (850) 221-3029

Disclaimer: The Heavy Haulers Pilot Car Directory is a resource for connecting pilot car and escort vehicle service providers with potential clients. We are not affiliated with, nor do we endorse any of the companies listed in this directory. The information provided is for general informational purposes only, and all users are encouraged to perform their own due diligence before engaging with any of the service providers.

Want to be featured?

Get Started Now

California's Top Pilot Car Company

Knowing when you need a pilot car in California is our specialty. Heavy Haulers pilot vehicle services have been honed with California in mind, and we can help you arrange hassle-free pilot vehicle transport to accompany your oversized or super load shipment. We're aware of the California DOT transport regulations and will supply you with escort vehicle services that match your requirements perfectly. Heavy Haulers escort vehicles are guaranteed to meet state requirements. They are outfitted with CB radios for communicating with the rest of the transport fleet and much more.


Specific routes in California have restrictions on trailer sizes, so the course needs to be checked before the start of the journey. You can rely on us to provide pilot car transport services that make your oversized equipment or machinery safe and hassle-free on all roads in California. Our escort vehicles accompany oversized deliveries of all types during the times specified on a DOT permit. Contact us to learn more about California's requirements and book our pilot car services today. (800) 908-6206

Pilot car images

EXPERT PILOT CARS AND ESCORT VEHICLE SERVICES NEAR ME IN CALIFORNIA

California, known for its cliff-lined beaches, gorgeous mountains, and the notorious redwood forest, is full of many terrains. From bustling cities to rugged terrain, California has it all. And we have pilot cars available everywhere in California to guide your equipment. Heavy Haulers provide the best escort vehicles in the state of California. We ensure that your equipment is delivered where it needs to be safely and on time. So, if you're in California and need an escort vehicle "near me, " call us! (800) 908-6206

Do I Need a Pilot Car or Escort Vehicle For My California Shipment?

Loads exceeding the following measurements must be accompanied by single or multiple pilot cars in California.


  • Length:
    • • City of Los Angeles or Los Angeles County:
    • • 100 to 120 feet: No escort required.
    • • 120 to 135 feet: 1 front and 1 rear pilot car/escort.
    • • Exceeding 135 feet: 1 front and 1 rear escort mandatory statewide.

  • Width:
    • • Exceeding 12 feet:
    • • 2-lane roads: 1 front pilot car.
    • • 4-lane roads: 1 rear escort (general rule).
    • • Certain routes may require 2 pilot cars.
    • • Minimum 2 pilot cars for any shipment exceeding 12 feet.

  • Height: Height considerations include:
    • • 18 feet threshold:
    • • Height pole pilot car/escort necessary.
    • • Route survey required with pole set at 18 feet 3 inches.
    • • A utility company clearance letter is needed.
    • • Mandatory notifications to all utility companies for any height exceeding 18 feet.

  • Weight::
    • • There’s minimal discussion on weight restrictions.
    • • If minimum speed limits are maintained, no escort may be necessary.
    • • If unable to meet minimum speed requirements:
    • • At least 1 front and 1 rear pilot car/escort may be required.
    • • Police escort may be mandated in some instances.
    • • Determined by proposed route, weight, and California heavy haul permit evaluation.

  • Overhang:
    • • Less than 15 feet rear overhang: Pilot car may not be necessary.
    • • 20 to 25 feet overhang:
    • • Front overhang: Lead escort likely required.
    • • Rear overhang: Chase escort likely required.
    • • Both front and rear overhang exceeding (30 feet front, 25 feet rear):
    • • 1 front and 1 rear pilot car/escort likely required.

Oversize/Overweight Load Flags/Banners/Signs/Lights Requirements for California


Certain signs, flags, and lights may be mandated for safety purposes. Below is what’s expected of you during transport in California.


Signs Requirement Criteria:

  • For vehicles exceeding a width of 8 feet 6 inches, length of 80 feet, or overhangs of 10 feet, installation of signs and flags is obligatory.
  • Signs are also necessary for loads categorized as overweight.

Flag Guidelines:


Specific guidelines apply during nighttime travel.


  • Amber marker lights must be affixed to the following:
  • Front corners of the load,
  • Leftmost portion with visibility from the front and sides.
  • Red lights at the rear corners, visible from the rear and sides, are mandatory.

Night Travel Lighting Standards (Los Angeles County):


Additional specifications for nighttime travel in Los Angeles County.


  • Amber lights are mandatory at all protrusions and five-foot intervals around the load.
  • Red lights at the rear, positioned no higher than five feet from the ground, are required.
  • If the rear overhang exceeds four feet, a minimum of two lights or a rear light bar is necessary.
  • During daytime travel, a rear light bar becomes a compulsory safety feature if the load obstructs signals and brake lights.

Travel Time Restrictions for Overdimensional and Overweight Loads in California

  • Travel is permitted 24/7 but must be requested during the order, except for loads exceeding a two-vehicle configuration or needing an escort.
  • If weight surpasses the green loading limit or a detour is in place, travel is limited to half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.
  • Loads wider than 10 feet can only travel Monday through Friday.
  • In Sacramento, San Francisco, and San Diego, transit hours are restricted to 7-9 am and 4-6 pm. Los Angeles prohibits oversized loads from 6-9 am and 3-6 pm.
  • San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge restricts travel from 6:30-9 am and 3:30-6:30 pm. Overheight or over 11 feet wide loads need a highway patrol escort. Loads over 12 feet wide are restricted to 11 am -1 pm Monday through Friday.
  • Holiday travel restrictions in California apply only to larger loads, which cannot travel on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
    • New Year’s Day
    • Martin Luther King Day
    • Memorial Day
    • Washington’s Birthday
    • Independence Day
    • Columbus Day
    • Labor Day
    • Confederate Memorial Day
    • Thanksgiving Day
    • Jefferson Davis’ Birthday
    • Christmas Day
    • Veteran’s Day

Common Equipment that Requires
Escort Vehicles in California

  • Aircraft Frames

  • Bridge Beams

  • Bulldozer Machines

  • Cranes

  • Construction Scraper

  • Excavators

  • Front End Loaders

  • Industrial Furnaces

  • Tugboats

  • Wheel Loaders

Call now for a FREE transport estimate

Showcasing Our Transport Expertise

Heavy Haulers In Action

Heavy Haulers offer trustworthy and reliable transportation services for all varieties of freight including shipments of individual, commercial, and heavy machinery.


Click To See All Our Videos
Tiny House Being Transported
See Recent Shipments

Our trained logistics professionals make sure your load arrives on time, and in the same shape in which it departed. See recent customers who’ve shared their move with us!


Click To See All Our Photos

Affiliations & Awards

Work With An Award-Winning Company

Throughout the years, Heavy Haulers has proven its unwavering commitment to quality, safety, and client satisfaction through the multiple awards and affiliations we've earned. When you partner with Heavy Haulers, you partner with trusted leaders in the transport industry.

Top Freight Brokerage Firms 2019
Inc 500
Inc 5000
Inc 500
Inc 500
Inc 5000