Current through Bulletin 2024-06, March 15, 2024
(1) Pilot escort driver requirements.
Individuals who operate a pilot escort vehicle must meet the following
requirements:
(a) must be a minimum of 18
years of age;
(b) must possess a
valid driver's license for the state jurisdiction in which the driver
resides;
(c) must obtain a
certification card from an authorized qualified certification program as
outlined in this section, and shall have it in their possession while in pilot
escort operations;
(d) within 30
days pilot escort drivers must provide a current Motor Vehicle Record (MVR)
certification to the qualified certification program at the time of the
course;
(e) no passengers under 16
years of age are allowed in pilot escort vehicles during the movement of
oversize loads;
(f) a pilot escort
driver may not perform as a tillerman or steerman while performing pilot escort
operations; and
(g) a pilot escort
driver must meet the requirements of
49 CFR
391.11 if using a vehicle for escort
operations that weighs more than 10,000 lbs.
(2) Driver certification process.
(a) Drivers domiciled in Utah must complete a
Utah pilot escort certification course authorized by the division. A list of
authorized instructors may be obtained by contacting (801) 965-4892.
(b) Pilot escort drivers domiciled outside of
Utah may operate as a certified pilot escort driver with another state's
certification credential, provided the course meets the minimum requirements
outlined in the Pilot Escort Training Manual - Best Practices Guidelines as
endorsed by the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association, Federal Highway
Administration, and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.
(c) The department may enter into a
reciprocal agreement with other states provided they can demonstrate that
course materials are comprehensive and meet the minimum requirements outlined
by the department.
(i) A current listing of
reciprocity states may be obtained by contacting the division at
801-965-4892.
(d) The pilot escort driver's initial
certification expires four years from the date issued, and it is the
responsibility of the driver to maintain certification.
(i) One additional four-year certification
may be obtained through a mail-in or online re-certification process provided
by a qualified pilot escort training entity.
(3) Suspensions and revocations.
(a) Pilot escort drivers may have their
certification denied, suspended, or revoked by the division if it is determined
that a disqualifying offense has occurred within the previous four
years.
(b) Drivers convicted of
serious traffic violations such as excessive speed, reckless driving and
driving maneuvers reserved for emergency vehicles, and driving under the
influence of alcohol or controlled substances may have their certification
denied, suspended, or revoked by the division.
(c) The division may suspend for first
offenses for up to one year. Subsequent offenses may result in permanent
revocation of driver certification.
(d) If a driver is denied pilot escort
driving privileges for reasons other than the conditions set forth in this
rule, the individual may file an appeal.
(i)
The appeals will be handled by a steering committee created by the
division.
(e) The
steering committee will have the powers granted to the deputy director in
Section R907-1-3 for appeals from other
division administrative actions. This committee's decision, if adopted by the
director of the division, will be considered a final agency order under
Administrative Procedures in Rule R907-1.
(4) Pilot escort vehicle standards.
(a) Certification inspections are valid for
up to one year.
(b) Pilot escort
vehicles may be either a passenger vehicle or a two-axle truck with a 95-inch
minimum wheelbase and a maximum gross vehicle weight of 12,000 lbs. and
properly registered and licensed as required under Sections
41-1a-201 and
41-1a-401.
(c) Equipment must not reduce visibility or
mobility of pilot escort vehicle while in operation.
(d) Trailers may not be towed at any time
while in pilot escort operations.
(e) Pilot escort vehicles must be equipped
with a two-way radio capable of transmitting and receiving voice messages over
a minimum distance of one-half mile.
(i)
Radio communications must be compatible with accompanying pilot escort
vehicles, utility company vehicles, permitted vehicle operator, and police
escort, if necessary.
(ii) If
operating with police escorts a CB radio is required.
(f) Pilot escort vehicles may not carry a
load.
(5) Pilot escort
vehicle signing requirements. Sign requirements on pilot escort vehicles are as
follows:
(a) pilot escort vehicles must
display an " OVERSIZE LOAD" sign, which must be mounted on the top of the pilot
escort vehicle;
(b) signs must be a
minimum of 5 feet wide by 10 inches high visible surface space, with a solid
yellow background and 8-inch-high by 1-inch wide black letters, and solid
means, if viewed from the front or rear at a 90-degree angle, no light
transmits through the sign;
(c) the
sign for the front pilot escort vehicle must be displayed so it is always
clearly legible and readable by oncoming traffic; and
(d) the rear pilot escort vehicle must
display its sign so it is readable by traffic overtaking from the rear and
clearly legible .
(6)
Pilot escort vehicle lighting requirements. Two methods of lighting are
authorized by the division; the requirements are as follows:
(a) two A A M VA -approved amber flashing
lights mounted with one on each side of the required sign, which must be a
minimum of six inches in diameter with a capacity of 60 flashes per minute with
warning lights illuminated during operation;
(b) an A A M VA -approved amber rotating,
oscillating, or flashing beacon or light bar mounted on top of the pilot escort
vehicle, which must be unobstructed and visible for 360 degrees with warning
lights illuminated during operation; and
(c) incandescent, strobe, or diode lights may
be used provided they meet the criteria stated in Subsections
R909-2-28(6)(a)
and R909-2-28(6)(b).
(7) Pilot escort vehicle equipment
requirements. Pilot escort vehicles must be equipped with the following safety
items:
(a) standard 18-inch or 24-inch red
and white 'STOP" and black and orange 'SLOW" paddle signs, and for nighttime
travel moves, signs must be reflective in accordance with MUTCD
standards;
(b) nine reflective
triangles or 18-inch reflective orange traffic cones, not to replace or be
replaced by Subsection
R909-2-28(7)(c)
or Subsection R909-2-28(7)(d);
(c) eight red-burning flares, glow sticks, or
equivalent illumination devices approved by the division;
(d) three orange 18-inch-high
cones;
(e) a flashlight with a
minimum 1 1/2-inch lens diameter, with extra batteries or charger, and an
emergency type shake, or crank flashlight will not be allowed;
(f) 6-inch minimum length red or orange cone
or traffic wand for use if directing traffic;
(g) an orange hardhat and class 2 safety vest
for personnel involved in pilot escort operations, and class 3 safety vests are
required for nighttime travel moves;
(h) a height-measuring pole made of a
non-conductive, non-destructive, flexible, or frangible material, only required
if escorting a load exceeding 16 feet in height;
(i) a fire extinguisher ;
(j) a first aid kit that is clearly
marked;
(k) one spare "OVERSIZE
LOAD" sign, 7 feet by 18 inches;
(I)
one serviceable spare tire, tire jack, and lug wrench;
(m) a handheld two-way simplex radio or
another compatible form of communication for operations outside pilot escort
vehicles; and
(n) vehicles must
not have unauthorized equipment on the vehicle such as those generally reserved
for law enforcement personnel.
(8) Police escort vehicle equipment and
safety requirements. Police escort vehicles must be equipped with the following
safety items:
(a) officers must have a CB
radio to communicate with the pilot and transport vehicles;
(b) officers must complete a Utah Law
Enforcement Check List and Reporting Criteria Form;
(c) officers will verify that pilot escorts
are in possession of current pilot escort inspections, or they will complete an
inspection before load movement;
(d) police vehicles must be clearly marked
with emergency lighting visible 360 degrees; and
(e) officers must be in uniform while
conducting police escort moves.
(9) Insurance for pilot escort vehicles.
(a) A driver must possess a current
certificate of insurance or endorsement that indicates that the driver, or the
driver's employer, has in effect not less than $750,000 combined single limit
coverage for bodily injury and property damage as a result of the operation of
the escort vehicle, the escort vehicle operator, or both causing the bodily
injury and property damage arising out of an act or omission by the pilot
escort vehicle operator of the escort duties required by the regulations. The
insurance or endorsement, as applicable, must always be maintained during the
term of the pilot escort certification.
(b) Pilot escort vehicles must have a minimum
amount of $750,000 liability. This is not a cumulative
amount.
(10) Pre-trip
planning and coordination requirements. A coordination and planning meeting
must be held before load movement. The drivers carrying or pulling the oversize
loads, the pilot escort vehicle drivers, law enforcement officers, department
personnel, and public utility company representatives must attend as required.
When police escorts are present, a Utah Law Enforcement Check List and
Reporting Criteria Form must be completed. This meeting must include discussion
and coordination on the conduct of the move, including at least the following
topics:
(a) the person designated as being in
charge, such as a department representative or a law enforcement
officer;
(b) documentation for
authorized routing and permit conditions is distributed to appropriate
individuals involved in the move;
(c) communication and signals
coordination;
(d) permitted
dimensions will be verified with measurement of load dimensions; and
(e) copies of permit and routing documents
must be provided to parties involved with the permitted load movement.
(11) Permitted vehicle
restrictions on certain highways. Certified pilot escort operators must refer
to highway restrictions specified in the secondary highway restrictions before
load movements.
(12) Flagging
requirements. During the movement of an over-dimensional load or vehicle, the
pilot escort driver, in the performance of the flagging duties required by
Section R909-2-28, may control and
direct traffic to stop, slow, or proceed in any situations where it is deemed
necessary to protect the motoring public from the hazards associated with the
movement of the over-dimensional load or vehicle. The pilot escort driver,
acting as a flagger, may aid the over-dimensional load or vehicle in the safe
movement along the highway designated on the over-dimensional load permit and
must:
(a) assume the proper flagger position
outside the pilot escort vehicle, and as a minimum standard, have in use the
necessary safety equipment as defined in 6E.1 of the MUTCD;
(b) use 'STOP" and 'SLOW" paddles or a
24-inch red or florescent orange or red square flag to indicate emergency
situations, and other equipment as described in 6E.1 of the MUTCD;
and
(c) comply with the flagging
procedures and requirements as set forth in the MUTCD and the Utah Department
of Transportation Flagger Training Handbook.