Code of Maine Rules
29 - DEPARTMENT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
250 - BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Chapter 157 - THE ADMINISTRATION OF OVER DIMENSION AND OVERWEIGHT PERMITS
Section 250-157-16 - PILOT VEHICLES

Universal Citation: 29 ME Code Rules ยง 250-157-16

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024

1. Pilot Vehicle Thresholds

A. TABLE 1 details the pilot vehicle and police escort requirements for a single vehicle and load or a vehicle combination and load where the object moved is not a mobile or modular home:

TABLE 1

Number of Pilots/Escorts

Permit Type

Width

Length

Height

1 Pilot Vehicle

Maine Only

Greater than 12 feet and less than 16 feet

Greater than 80 feet and less than 125 feet

Multi-State

Greater than or equal to 12 feet

Greater than or equal to 80 feet

2 Pilot Vehicles

Maine Only

Night time moves of timber harvesting equipment not exceeding 11 feet 6 inches (See Section 18)

Night time moves of timber harvesting equipment not exceeding 75 feet (See Section 18)

1 Pilot Vehicle + 1 Police Escort

Maine Only

Greater than or equal to 16 feet and less than 20 feet

Greater than or equal to 125 feet and less than 150 feet

2 Police Escorts

Maine Only

Greater than or equal to 20 feet

Greater than or equal to 150 feet

1 Pole Car

Maine Only

Greater than 16 feet

B. TABLE 2 details the pilot vehicle and police escort requirements for a vehicle combination and load where the object moved is a manufactured, modular, mobile or pre-fabricated home:

TABLE 2

Number of Pilots/Escorts

Permit Type

Width

(At the Base)

Length

Height

1 Pilot Vehicle

Maine Only

Greater than 12 feet and less than or equal to 14 feet 6 inches

Greater than 80 feet and less than 125 feet

Multi-State

Greater than or equal to 12 feet

Greater than or equal to 80 feet

2 Pilot Vehicles

Maine Only

Greater than 14 feet 6 inches and less than 16 feet

1 Pilot Vehicle + 1 Police Escort

Maine Only

(1) Base greater than or equal to 16 feet and less than 20 feet, or (2) Eaves greater than or equal to 16 feet 9 inches

Greater than or equal to 125 feet and less than 150 feet

2 Police Escorts

Maine Only

Greater than or equal to 20 feet

Greater than or equal to 150 feet

1 Pole Car

Maine Only

Greater than 16 feet

(See Section 21 for special conditions for mobile and modular homes)

C. The Secretary, acting upon the advice of the Commissioner, may require pilot vehicles for lesser dimensions as well as require additional pilots, or may waive or modify the necessity of requiring pilot vehicles.

D. The Chief of the Maine State Police, a member of the department holding the rank of Lieutenant or higher or their designee, may at their discretion, waive the requirement for a second police escort or require additional police escorts to safely complete the move. The Maine State Police may not reduce the police escort requirements below what is listed in Title 29-A section 2382 subsection 9- A.

2. Operation

A. Pilot vehicles must travel in front of the overdimensional vehicle(s), unless traveling on a divided highway in which case, the pilot vehicle must follow the overdimensional vehicle. If two pilot vehicles are required, one will precede the overdimensional vehicle(s) and one will follow.

B. Movement must be made in such a way that other vehicles will not come between the pilot vehicle and the overdimensional vehicle(s).

C. The pilot vehicle must direct, by a predetermined signal, the overdimensional vehicle(s) off the highway at the first suitable opportunity, when:
(1) a properly signaling emergency vehicle is approaching from the rear; or

(2) seven or more vehicles are following as the result of slow movement.

3. Pilot Vehicle Specifications and Requirements

A. The pilot vehicle must be an automobile or light truck equipped with:
(1) a conventional interior rear view mirror;

(2) right and left exterior side view mirrors; and

(3) amber lighting to include:
(a) two intermittent flashing amber lights at least 6 inches in diameter; or

(b) two rotary type amber lights at least 4 inches in diameter; or

(c) a light bar of sufficient length and width to accommodate a minimum of four amber flashing or strobe lights or combination thereof; and

(d) the lights under option (a) and (b) must be attached to the roof of the pilot vehicle, one on the extreme left and the other on the extreme right, or the light bar under option (c) must be located horizontally on the roof perpendicular to the length of the pilot vehicle.

B. Headlights shall be on low beam at all times during the move.

C. Special Signage
(1) The sign shall read: "OVERSIZE LOAD".

(2) Sign Requirements
(a) Size: not less than 5 feet wide by 12 inches high;

(b) Lettering: not less than 8 inches high with a 1.4 inch brush stroke and a border width of 1 inch around the letters;

(c) Color: black lettering on a yellow background;

(d) Location: on the roof perpendicular to the length of the vehicle and legible on both sides; or on the front bumper when the pilot vehicle is required to precede the over dimension load, or on the rear bumper when the pilot vehicle is required to follow the load.

(3) Pilot vehicles not engaged in escorting overdimensional loads must have signs removed or covered and amber warning lights extinguished.

D. Mobile Communications
(1) Two-way mobile communication which has a minimum radius range of one-half mile is required.

(2) Communication must be maintained with the overlimit vehicle(s) at all times during the move.

E. The driver requirements for a pilot vehicle are as follows:
(1) the driver must be at least 18 years of age;

(2) the driver must have held a motor vehicle operator's license for two consecutive years immediately prior to operating a pilot vehicle; and

(3) the driver must be familiar with the rules regarding the outfitting and use of pilot vehicles.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Maine may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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