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Virginia Administrative Code (Last Updated: January 10, 2017) |
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Title 24. Transportation and Motor Vehicles |
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Agency 20. Department of Motor Vehicles |
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Chapter 81. Hauling Permit Regulation |
Section 160. Escort vehicles and equipment requirements
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Part VI. Escort Vehicles and Equipment Requirements; Escort Vehicle Driver Certification; and General Escorting Guidelines
A. The escort vehicle shall be a truck not less than one-quarter ton-rated load capacity but not more than 17,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or a passenger vehicle of not less than 2,000 pounds gross weight. Escort vehicles shall not resemble nor be confused with law-enforcement or safety-assistance vehicles. Escort vehicles shall be in compliance with all state and local registration processes required by the state in which the vehicle is registered. Escort vehicles shall not be overdimensional or overweight while in use performing escorting duties. They are not permitted to pull a trailer of any kind while performing escorting duties and shall have an unobstructed view through the rear window.
B. All escort vehicles shall be equipped with a two-way radio communication system to maintain communications between the permitted vehicle driver and all escort vehicles in the group.
C. Front or lead escort vehicles are required to have a height pole/hot-pole when required by permit. While performing escorting duties the pole shall be extended at least three inches above the specified height of the vehicle configuration being escorted.
D. Escort vehicles headlamps shall be on at all times while escorting overdimensional/overweight movements.
E. All escort vehicles shall have at least one light, rotating or strobe, positioned on top of the escort vehicle. The light must be visible for a distance of at least 500 feet in all directions by approaching vehicles.
F. Paddles shall be at least 18 inches by 18 inches with six-inch high lettering. For greater visibility, a high-intensity flashing stop/slow paddle may be used.
G. All flags used for flagging purposes shall be red or any highly fluorescent color, not less than 18 inches square and in good condition. Flags shall be placed at the extremities of a vehicle load to identify overwidth or secured at the end of the load to identify overhang.
H. Individuals performing flagging activities shall wear a hard hat and a red or any highly visible fluorescent traffic vest or jacket of approved Type ANSI II or III.
I. Escort vehicles shall have signs, descriptive of the load being escorted, i.e., "Wide Load" or "Oversize Load" or "Overweight Load." At a minimum, the signs shall be displayed in black eight-inch high letters with a minimum of 1-1/4 inch brush strokes on a yellow banner. The banner shall be mounted on the front and rear bumper of the escort vehicle. If displayed on the roof of the escort vehicle other drivers must be able to read the signs when approaching or following the escort vehicle.
J. A minimum of one Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual Laboratories (FM) approved, five pounds or greater, Type "BC" or "ABC" fire extinguisher shall be carried in the escort vehicle or escort vehicles.
K. Reflective triangles or road flares shall be used to warn oncoming or approaching vehicles of a breakdown.
Historical Notes
Derived from Volume 25, Issue 26, eff. September 30, 2009.