You watch a shiny new patrol car blaze past you, lights flashing. You catch a glimpse of the officer behind the wheel. The focused determination on their face never wavers as they escort a VIP down the highway. Is it the President? A foreign dignitary? Beyoncé?
Nope. All that pomp and circumstance may actually be for an over-dimensional (OD) freight load.
Some shipments are so big that they require a police escort to help them move through certain routes or jurisdictions. But how do you know if your shipment is one of them? Unfortunately, the answer isn't always simple because police escort requirements vary by state.
The good news? The heavy haul team at Anderson Trucking Service (ATS) has been coordinating oversized moves for decades, including the police escorts that many of those shipments require.
In this article, we'll break down when police escorts are required, how they're coordinated, and what shippers should expect during the process. So, if you’re shipping wide, tall, long, or heavy freight this year, keep reading!
Table of Contents:
- What is the purpose of a police escort for oversized loads?
- What type of loads need police escorts?
- What are the police escort requirements in each state?
- How much does a police escort cost?
- What is the process for arranging a police escort?
Why do Some Oversized Loads Have Police Escorts?
The primary purpose of a police escort is to help protect other drivers on the road while oversized loads are being transported.
Not to be confused with pilot vehicles, another type of trucking escort, police escorts provide an additional level of visibility with their flashing red and blue lights. By accompanying large shipments, law enforcement officers can alert surrounding traffic to the presence of oversized freight.
Police escorts can also serve as traffic control when an oversized load has to move through a busy intersection, requires additional room to make a turn, or must cross the center line.
In some cases, police will conduct a pre- or post-trip vehicle inspection to confirm the truck and trailer meet applicable transportation requirements.
When Do Oversized Loads Need Police Escorts?
Oversized loads may require police escorts when their width, length, height, or weight exceeds certain state or local limits. Excessive width is the most common reason a police escort is required.
The challenge is that states have different dimensional thresholds for when escorts are required. Some states require civilian pilot cars when a load exceeds one set of size limits, then require police escorts at another.
In many states, police escorts are required when a shipment exceeds 16 feet in width or height. However, some states have higher limits, some states have lower limits, and a small handful of states never require police escorts at all.
All that to say, it's difficult to give a simple "Yes, that shipment will need a police escort" or "No, that shipment won't need a police escort."
Police Escort Requirements By State
Because police escort requirements vary by state, our heavy haul team evaluates the requirements along each shipment's planned route. To help you understand where police escorts may be necessary, we've put together a chart outlining police escort requirements by state.
Keep in mind that these requirements can (and do) change. Be sure to review your permit and work with your transportation provider to confirm the specific requirements for your shipment and route.
NOTE: The chart below covers state government requirements for police escorts only. It does not include non-police escort vehicle requirements.
| State | Police Escort Requirements |
| Alabama | Over 16’ wide, 16’ high, or 150’ long. |
| Alaska | Typically not required. |
| Arizona | Typically over 20' wide. May be required over 120' long, 14' wide, or 15' high, at state's discretion. See permit once approved. |
| Arkansas | Only required if traveling on the Parkway and at/over 15’ wide. |
| California | At/over 135’1” long, 15’1” wide, or 17’1” high. If traveling on green routes, required at 15' wide. May be required over 250,000 lbs., at state's discretion. See permit once approved. |
| Colorado | Over 20’ wide or 500,000 lbs. |
| Connecticut | Over 150’ long, 16’ wide, or 15’4” high. Also required if over both 13'5" wide and 15'3" high. |
| Delaware | Over 15’ wide, 17’5” high, or 120,000 lbs. |
| Florida | Over 16’ wide, 16’ high, or 250’ long. |
| Georgia | Over 16’3” wide. May be required over 16' wide, at state's discretion. See permit once approved. |
| Hawaii | Typically not required. |
| Idaho | May be required over 20' wide and 20' high; see permit once approved. |
| Illinois | Over 18’ wide, 18’ high, or 200’ long. |
| Indiana | Over 17’ wide, 175’ long, or 199,999 lbs. |
| Iowa | Over 18’ wide or 300,000 lbs. |
| Kansas | Typically not required. |
| Kentucky | Typically not required. |
| Louisiana | Over 16’ wide, 16’ high, or 125’ long. |
| Maine | Over 16’ wide or 124’11” long. |
| Maryland | At/over 16’ wide, 16’ high, 150’ long, or 150,000 lbs. |
| Massachusetts | Over 16’ wide, 15’ high, 134’ long, or 130,000 lbs. |
| Michigan | Over 16’ wide. |
| Minnesota | Any load that crosses the center line. |
| Mississippi | Over 16’ wide or 16’ high. May be required at 15'8" high depending on route. See permit once approved. |
| Missouri | Over 18’ wide, 17’ high, or 150’ long. Also required over 16' wide on two-lane roads. |
| Montana | Typically not required. |
| Nebraska | Typically not required. |
| Nevada | Over 19' wide. Also required over 17' wide on two-lane roads. |
| New Hampshire | Over 18’ wide or 100’ long. |
| New Jersey | Typically not required. |
| New Mexico | May be required over 20’ wide; case-by-case at state’s discretion. |
| New York | Over 16' wide, 16' high, 160' long, or 200,000 lbs. |
| North Carolina | Over 16’1” wide or 16’5” high. |
| North Dakota | Over 18’ wide. |
| Ohio | Over 16’ wide, 15’3” high, or 199,000 lbs. Also may be required if any two combined dimensions exceed 90' long, 13' wide, or 140,000 lbs. |
| Oklahoma | Over 22’11” wide. |
| Oregon | Typically not required. |
| Pennsylvania | Over 16’ wide, 160’ long, or 199,999 lbs. |
| Rhode Island | Typically not required. |
| South Carolina | Over 16’ wide. |
| South Dakota | Over 18’ high. |
| Tennessee | Over 18’ wide or 18’ high. May also be required in the case of especially complex movements, at state's discretion. |
| Texas | Over 20’ wide. |
| Utah | Over 17’ wide, 17’6” high, or 174’11” long. May be required over 16' wide on southern routes. |
| Vermont | Over 14’11” wide, 13’11” high, 99’11” long, or 149,999 lbs. |
| Virginia | Typically not required. |
| Washington | Over 18’ wide or 18’ high. |
| West Virginia | May be required over 16’ wide, at state’s discretion. |
| Wisconsin | Over 200’ long, 18’ wide, or 350,000 lbs. |
| Wyoming | Typically not required. |
What Does a Police Escort Cost?
There's no one-size-fits all cost of police escorts because every law enforcement agency sets its own rates.
Generally, pricing depends on the number of officers required and their hourly pay rates. An officer's experience or rank may also affect the cost, with more experienced or higher-ranking officers potentially commanding higher rates.
Some agencies pay time and a half for freight escorts, while others charge a flat rate for patrol escort services.
Regardless of how the agency calculates its fees, a police escort will increase your overall shipping costs.
How Do You Get a Police Escort for an Oversized Load?
Your transportation provider can help you arrange a police escort should your shipment require one. They'll connect with the proper law enforcement agencies, coordinate scheduling, and discuss pricing.
How long this process takes will depend on the agency. In some cases, a police escort can be arranged in a single phone call. In others, there may be agreements to sign or permits that must be in process or approved before arrangements can begin.
As a shipper, you typically won't need to coordinate the police escort yourself. However, there are a few things you can do to help the process go smoothly:
- Double-check your shipment information before filing for any permits. Providing accurate dimensions, weight, and other load details helps your transportation provider determine the appropriate permit and escort requirements. Avoiding errors can help prevent additional costs down the line.
- Stay in communication with your transportation provider. Keep them informed of any changes to your shipment's dimensions, weight, route, or schedule that could affect escort arrangements.
- Be patient. Coordinating a police escort takes time, especially when multiple agencies or jurisdictions are involved. Scheduling conflicts, travel restrictions, weather, and law enforcement availability can all delay your shipment, even when you've planned ahead. Give your provider enough lead time to arrange the necessary resources before your planned shipping date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Need Permits for an Oversized Load?
Arranging a police escort is just one part of planning an over-dimensional shipment. Depending on your freight and route, you may need multiple permits and escorts to legally move through each state.
An experienced transportation provider can help you navigate these requirements, coordinate the necessary arrangements, and avoid unnecessary delays.
Want to learn more about permitting? Watch our video on how to get over-dimensional (OD) permits for a closer look at the process.
Planning an over-dimensional shipment? Request a heavy haul quote from ATS! We can help you navigate permitting requirements, coordinate escorts, and transport your oversized freight.
Related Articles:
- Pilot Car Requirements for Oversized Loads
- Legal Load Limits for Trucks: Weight, Width, Height, and Length
- Common Shipping Problems and How to Avoid Them
