Oregon Pilot Car Requirements

Short answer

In Oregon, the number of pilot vehicles depends on the load's width and the route color on ODOT Route Map 2: on Interstates and multilane highways no pilot is needed until over 14 ft wide, while some two-lane Red routes need a pilot from 8 ft 7 in. Over 14 ft 6 in high, a front pilot with a height pole is required unless a liability declaration is on file with ODOT.

Width

Minimum Pilot Vehicles by Width

Columns are the route types on ODOT Route Map 2. Red routes are further split by Group Map 1 (Black, Blue, Red).

When one pilot is required it travels in front of the load, except on multilane highways, where it runs at the rear. When two are required, one is in front and one at the rear. If the permit specifies a different number, the permit takes precedence.

Source: ODOT Route Map 2 Legend (PDF). Checked Oct 22, 2026.

Length, height, overhang

Length, Height and Overhang

• Height. 14 ft 1 in to 14 ft 6 in: none. More than 14 ft 6 in: one front pilot with a height pole, unless the permittee has filed a declaration with ODOT CCD assuming liability for the overheight movement.
• Front overhang more than 15 ft beyond the front bumper: one pilot on two-lane state highways, none on Interstate and multilane.
• Flagger locations. For loads over 12 ft wide, certified flaggers (or the Certified Rolling Stop method with three pilot vehicles) are required at listed structures such as the Sunset Tunnel on US-26, the Columbia River Bridge at Astoria on US-101 and several coast bridges and tunnels.
• County roads and some mobile and modular units follow the permit, not the chart.

Sources: ODOT Route Map 2 Legend (PDF); ODOT Pilot Car & Special Requirements Guide (PDF). Checked Oct 22, 2026.

From the broker

How We Use It

I am based in Oregon, and Route Map 2 is the first thing I check on an Oregon quote. A 12 ft load on I-84 runs without a pilot; the same load on a Map 1 Red two-lane needs two. See our Oregon heavy haul page and Oregon permit guide for curfews and holidays.

By state

State-by-State Detail

State guides: Oregon · Washington · Idaho · California · Nevada · Arizona · Utah · Montana · Wyoming · Colorado · New Mexico · Texas · North Dakota · South Dakota · Nebraska · Kansas · Oklahoma. Permit detail: Oregon · Washington · Idaho · California · Nevada · Arizona · Utah · Montana · Wyoming · Colorado · New Mexico · Texas · North Dakota · South Dakota · Nebraska · Kansas · Oklahoma.

Have a specific load? Request a quote or run it through the permit checker. Every load we book is permitted, escorted and routed for you.