Wyoming Administrative Code
Agency 045 - Transportation, Dept. of
Sub-Agency 0004 - Motor Carrier
Chapter 5 - SIZE AND WEIGHT LIMITATIONS OF VEHICLES
Section 5-9 - Escort Procedures

(a) Speed limits imposed by the permit-issuing authority shall govern all escorted moves. Moves shall not exceed the legal or posted speed limit.

(b) Route - All moves shall be made on highways designated on the permit. Alternate routes shall not be used without a permit-issuing authority's prior approval.

(c) Time of movement - All loads requiring escorts shall be made during daylight hours and the times specified on the permit, except in Section 7, Permitted Hours and Dates of Movement; Weather Conditions. Class C permit holders shall move during hours of minimum highway travel.

(d) Weather - Escorted loads shall not be allowed to move if the highway is restricted to no unnecessary travel or if tire chains are required. The Wyoming Department of Transportation or Wyoming Highway Patrol may restrict movements of specific oversize loads because of low visibility or high winds. A load may proceed or return to the nearest parking area or town. At no time shall the move continue beyond these points unless approved by the Wyoming Highway Patrol.

(e) Traffic - Escorted movements shall be conducted to minimize any impediment to other highway users. An escorted movement shall move to the highway shoulder whenever vehicular traffic behind the movement becomes congested and shall remain off the main traveled portion of the roadway until the following traffic has cleared.

(f) Obstacles - When safety dictates, escorted moves approaching narrow bridges or other obstacles posing potential hazards shall be halted. The move shall be removed from the traveled way until the escort vehicle proceeds past the obstacle and halts approaching traffic. A traffic crash with lane blockage shall be considered an obstacle, and escorted moves shall be allowed to continue only at the direction of the Wyoming Highway Patrol. The escorted movement may proceed past the obstacle when safe.

(g) Minimum number of escorts - Please refer to preceding Section 8, Safety Measures and Moves, for escort requirements.

(h) Two oversize loads, each requiring escorts, may travel together on a two-lane highway maintaining a distance of approximately 1,000 feet apart, as long as neither load exceeds 16 feet wide or 110 feet overall length. One escort in front of the first load and one escort behind the second load shall be maintained at a distance of approximately 1,000 feet, unless a shorter distance is necessary to control the movement. On interstate or four-lane highways, one escort to the rear of the second load shall be maintained at a distance of approximately 1,000 feet, unless a shorter distance is necessary to control the movement, as long as neither load exceeds 18 feet wide or 130 feet overall length.

(i) A third oversize load requiring escorts cannot travel with a group of two oversize loads, but shall remain at a minimum distance of one-half mile from the group unless otherwise authorized by Overweight Loads Office and shall also have its own escort(s).

(j) A convoy of four oversize loads requiring escorts may travel in two groups separated by a distance of at least one-half mile unless otherwise authorized by Overweight Loads Office. Each group shall have its own escort(s).

(k) Emergency moves requiring escorts shall not be allowed to convoy outside daylight hours.

(l) When moves are confined to four-lane divided highways, and a segment of one lane is closed for repairs and the other lane is being used for two-way traffic, additional escorts may be required if a special hazard exists or the movement cannot be kept to the right of the centerline.

(m) Moves requiring escorts and using the interstate highways and intervening two lane highways shall need one escort for the interstate and two for the two-lane highways.

(n) Parking - Drivers of escort vehicles shall insure that escorted movements do not park on the main traveled portion or the shoulder of the highway unless it becomes necessary in an emergency, or to pass an obstacle properly. Should it be necessary to park an oversize movement because of an emergency, the load will be adequately protected by flagmen, flares, an escort vehicle, and/or other suitable warning devices.