Illinois Pilot Car and Escort Vehicle Services

Heavy Haulers provides trustworthy pilot car and escort vehicle across every city in Illinois.

(800) 908-6206

Illinois Escort Vehicle Services

Our pilot car and escort vehicle transport services are here if you need an escort vehicle in Illinois to accompany your oversized equipment or machinery. We offer a comprehensive pilot car service that prioritizes the secure movement of oversized equipment and materials throughout the Prairie State. Whether you need pilot car transport in the Chicago metro area, a remote Illinois destination, or need to travel to neighboring states, we can provide pilot cars that serve your desired location.


Heavy Haulers has a pilot car directory where you can find an experienced escort vehicle company in Illinois to help you move your oversized load safely. Not only do we serve the great State of Illinois, but our national network can help you ship oversized equipment to and from other U.S., Canadian, and Mexican destinations. We're a nationwide escort vehicle delivery company that prides itself on providing you with local expertise wherever you need it!


Escort vehicle and pilot car transport in Illinois has never been easier to organize than with the Heavy Haulers pilot car company. We can accommodate oversized shipments of all types and will always match you with the escort vehicle that best suits your budget and timescale. We provide more than just the pilot vehicles. Our pilot vehicle transport services are piloted by experienced, trustworthy, licensed, and insured professionals you can rely on to get your shipment safely to its next destination. Let’s get started!



Pilot Car Companies in Illinois

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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.

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Pilot Vehicle Requirements in Illinois

When it comes to choosing suitable pilot cars, there are specific escort vehicle transport regulations that apply in Illinois. Your pilot car can be any passenger or second-division vehicle weighing less than 8,000 lbs, but it must have the appropriate safety equipment installed. Red flags and a top-mounted rotating or flashing light are required at all extremities. Also, a black and yellow oversize load sign must always be displayed.


The escort car delivery must also include a height pole and 2-way radio. Using the Heavy Haulers escort company to avoid the hassle of sourcing a pilot car that meets all state requirements. None are better equipped than the Heavy Haulers' escort cars. We'll partner you with all the fully equipped, licensed, and insured vehicles you need. When transporting oversized equipment, the Illinois Vehicle Code requires the use of pilot cars for a variety of shipments. Escort car services from Heavy Haulers will always include the appropriate insurance and ensure that permits are applied to any necessary oversized haulage.

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Pilot Cars and Escort Vehicles Near Me In Illinois

Our escort car service provides the requisite number of vehicles for any shipment traveling through the state, especially if the load is over 8ft wide, 13’6ft high, or 53ft long. Regarding pilot vehicle delivery services, we can supply 1-3 escorts or more as required. Some deliveries may even require State Police escorts or have applied route restrictions. Call our escort vehicle company to discuss any pilot vehicle services you need, and we'll help you determine the regulations that apply to your shipping request. Call today!

When Do I Need a Pilot Car or Escort Vehicle for Shipment in Illinois?


  • Civilian Escort Vehicles:
    • • Required for moves exceeding 110 feet in length.
    • •Required for moves surpassing 14 feet 6 inches in width.
    • • Required for moves exceeding 14 feet 6 inches in height.
    • • Department’s Bridge Office's analysis or District investigation can deem it necessary.

  • Two Civilian Escort Vehicles:
    • • Required for moves exceeding both 14 feet 6 inches in width and 14 feet 6 inches in height.
    • • Required for moves exceeding both 14 feet 6 inches in height and 110 feet in length.
    • • Required for moves exceeding both 14 feet 6 inches in width and 110 feet in length.
    • •Department’s Bridge Office's analysis or District investigation can deem it necessary.
  • Three Civilian Escorts:
    • • Required for moves exceeding 16 feet in width.
    • • Required for moves exceeding 145 feet in length.
    • • Required for moves exceeding 18 feet in height.
  • Illinois State Police Escorts:
    • • Required for moves exceeding 18 feet in width.
    • • Required for moves exceeding 200 feet in length.
    • • Required for moves exceeding 18 feet in height.
    • • Required for overweight moves with bridge restrictions necessitating traffic clearance.
    • • Necessary for unusual moves requiring additional traffic control.

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


"Oversized Load" Banner Regulations and Requirements

  • Size: 7' long, 18" high
  • Letters: Black, 12" high, 2" stroke
  • Background: Yellow.
  • Mandatory for all oversized loads exceeding legal width.

Flag Requirements:

  • All flags must be 18" square, clean, and bright red.
  • Displayed to wave freely on all four corners of the extremities of other overwidth objects and at the extreme ends of all protrusions, projections, or overhangs.
  • Applicable to all Oversize Loads.

Warning Lights: Color and Placement:

  • Illuminated rotating, oscillating, or flashing amber lights on top of the vehicle and on the rear of the load, if necessary, during the movement of oversize and/or overweight permit loads.
  • Lights must have sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet in all directions in normal sunlight.

Pilot Car Requirements:

  • Cars, vans, or trucks with a gross weight rating of no more than 8,000 lbs may be used.
  • Pilot car drivers must be at least 18 years old with a valid regular driver’s license.
  • Pilot cars must have a rotating or flashing amber light on the top and display red flags at all four outermost points.
  • Must carry "OVERSIZE LOAD" signs, minimum size 5′ wide x 12″ tall, with black lettering no less than 8″ in height.
  • Must have a radio for constant communication with the transporting driver.
  • Requires $500,000 per occurrence combined insurance covering property and bodily injury.

Travel Time Restrictions for Overdimensional and Overweight Loads in Illinois

  • Overweight permit loads with legal dimensions have authorization for movement 24/7.
  • Oversize and/or Overweight permit loads with dimensions up to 12’ 0” wide, 13’ 6” high, and 200’ long are authorized for 24/7 movement with one additional civilian escort during nighttime hours.
  • Oversize and/or Overweight permit loads with dimensions up to 14’ 6” wide, 15’ 0” high, and 200’ long can move from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset, seven days a week.
  • Oversize and/or Overweight permit loads with dimensions up to 16’ 0” wide 17’ 0” high can move from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset Monday through Friday and until noon on Saturdays unless otherwise specified on the provision sheet or permit.
  • Oversize and/or Overweight permit loads exceeding 200’ long are permitted to move from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset Monday through Friday, with no movement allowed on Saturdays or Sundays unless otherwise specified on the provision sheet or permit.
  • Oversize and/or Overweight permit loads exceeding 16’ 0” wide, 17’ 0” high can move from 9:00 am CST to 3:00 pm Monday through Friday, with no movement allowed on Saturdays or Sundays unless specified otherwise on the provision sheet or permit.

Common Equipment that Requires
Escort Vehicles in Illinois

  • Aircraft Frames

  • Bridge Beams

  • Bulldozer Machines

  • Cranes

  • Construction Scraper

  • Excavators

  • Front End Loaders

  • Industrial Furnaces

  • Tugboats

  • Wheel Loaders

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