24 Va. Admin. Code § 20-82-120 - Escort vehicles and equipment requirements

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. Except when in compliance with subsection C of this section, 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 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 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 vehicle headlights shall be on at all times while escorting overdimensional or overweight vehicles.

E. All escort vehicles shall have at least one light, rotating or flashing, 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 traffic control purposes shall be red or any fluorescent color, not less than 18 inches square, and in good condition. Individuals performing flagging activities shall wear a hard hat and approved ANSI Class II or Class III safety vest.

H. 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.

I. 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.

J. Reflective triangles or road flares shall be used to warn oncoming or approaching vehicles of a breakdown.

Notes

24 Va. Admin. Code § 20-82-120

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 12, eff. 3/1/2023.

Statutory Authority: § 46.2-203 of the Code of Virginia.