Oversize loads, when do you need a pilot car?

http://uspilotcars.com/arkansas_pilot_car_regulations.html

There are drop down menus for all states, canada etc.

I believe you can make moves of 260-300 thousand gross. There is a transformer move several times a week pretty often about that much going to St Louis that ties up traffic as it evaluates a bridge to cross over for 67. The local police are pretty involved among other things.

For Arkansas

Arkansas Road Conditions
(501)569-2374 (Conditions)
(501)569-2227 Weekdays (Construction)
Lane Closures (Construction)

ARKANSAS PILOT CAR REGULATIONS
When Permit Is Needed
Over 8'6" wide,
Over 13'6" high,
Trailer over 53'6" long,
Over 80,000 lbs

Special Information Needed
Physical address if stopping or starting within state of AR
Overweight need original origin and destination
Containerized-need to know what's inside container
Copy of freight bill/bill of lading
Date and time of movement
Make of truck
lLicense plate # and state;

Times Of Movement
Daylight hours only unless permit allows travel on holidays and at night (overweight only)
Permits may be issued for overdimensional loads to move on Sat. & Sun.
Loads not exceeding 90' long may travel 24/7
Curfew from7-9am & 4-6pm in Little Rock area on I-30 (mm137-143, mm 151-155) & all Interstate 630
Travel prohibited on the following holidays: New Year’s Day,Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas
Can travel, if permit allows, on the following holidays: Martin Luther King Day, Robert E. Lee’s Birthday, George Washington’s Birthday & Veteran’s Day. (Permit office closed on above holidays as well as Confederate Memorial Day and the day after Thanksgiving Day)

When Pilot/Escort Vehicle is Required
2 Lanes
Width over 12' to 14'-1 front pilot car
Over 14' wide-2 front & rear pilot cars
Height over 15'-1 front pilot car w/height pole
Over 16' high must obtain special approval
4 Lanes
14' to 16' wide-1 rear pilot car
Over 15' high-1 front pilot car w/height pole
Over 16' high must obtain special approval

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle
Vehicle: Truck having a rated load capacity of not less than ¼ ton or auto having a gross weight of not less than 2000lb./must be licensed in AK or by a state with reciprocal agreements
Signs: “OVERSIZE LOAD” sign must be constructed of a durable material with yellow background & black letters (2” brush stroke) which are 10” high (min.); when escorting a mobile home sign must state “OVERSIZE (width in feet) LOAD”.
Lights: Must be mounted on top of vehicle and visible 360o. Must have either a) rotating amber light with incandescent or halogen bulb lamps emitting 35,000 (min.) candlepower factory certified steady beam; lens height 6“ (min.) or b) strobe-type flashing (80 flashes/min) amber light capable of emitting 500,000 (min.) total candlepower; lens height 3 1/2” (min.)
Flags: 2 solid red flags, 18” square, mounted on top of vehicle, in line with the warning lights, at an angle between 40o-70o; shall not extend 6” from side of vehicle; total spread shall not exceed 8’
Additional equipment: 10lb. Class B,C fire extinguisher
4-15 minute flares, light sticks or triangles
Must have the name and address or telephone number an city of the company/owner of the escort vehicle on each door, plainly legible and visible to the motoring public.

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator
No permit required but driver shall carry in the vehicle proof of liability insurance in the amount or $100,00 each bodily injury or death; $300,000 each accident; $25,000 property damage ($325,000 minimum combined single limit coverage)

Dept. of Transportation Permits Office-Hours: 6am-4:30pm; M-F
State Hwy & Trans Dept-Permits
(501)569-2381
P.O. Box 2261; 10324 Interstate 30
Little Rock, AR 72203
Arkansas Department of Transportation - ArDOT