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Manual of Issuance of Special Hauling Permits on Franklin County Highways

Private Escort Requirements

A.  Vehicle Requirements 

1.  A private escort vehicle may be a passenger sedan, open van type vehicle, station wagon, or two (2) axle panel or pickup truck having a rated capacity not to exceed two tons. 

2.  An escort vehicle shall have a rear view mirror on each side and shall be in good mechanical condition.  It shall be equipped with a two-way radio for communication with the operator of the permit movement, and shall carry at least one spare tire at all times.  Escort vehicles, when required by a Special Hauling Permit to accompany an over dimensional or overweight vehicle/load, shall be required to display a warning sign, yellow with black letters, reading “OVERSIZE LOAD”.  The sign shall be 5 feet long by 12 inches high with 8 inch high letters.  When a private escort vehicle is traveling ahead of the permit vehicle, it shall display an “OVERSIZE LOAD” sign visibly toward the front, and when the escort vehicle is trailing, the sign shall be displayed to the rear.  All private vehicles shall have a flashing or rotating amber beacon of such intensity as to be clearly seen at a minimum distance of 1000 feet in normal daytime conditions.

B.  Operator Requirements 

A private escort vehicle operator shall be at least 18 years of age and have a valid driver’s license issued by the state in which the escort vehicle is registered.

C.  Position 

When one escort vehicle is required it shall precede the permit movement when operating on two-lane highways with traffic in either direction.  It shall, if at all possible, be positioned 150 feet in advance of the permit movement.  On multiple lane highways the escort vehicle shall follow the permit movement at a distance of 150 feet where possible.  When two escort vehicles are required one shall precede the permit movement and the other shall follow the permit movement at a distance of 150 feet where possible.  No action shall be taken by an escort or towing vehicle to prevent an overtaking vehicle from safely entering and occupying the space between the escort and the permit vehicle.

D.  Traffic Control 

Escort vehicles, together with flaggers, shall control the permit movement in a manner that will insure the safety of the traveling public.  When it becomes necessary to occupy a portion of the opposing traffic lane for any reason, it shall not be occupied by the permit movement until the operator is signaled by the escort driver or flagger that the lane is clear of opposing traffic.  Opposing traffic shall not be stopped except in extreme emergencies or as directed by a police officer.  It shall be the responsibility of the operator of the permit movement to stop safely until the opposing lane is free of approaching traffic before proceeding, regardless of conflicting signals by an escort driver or flagger.

 E.  Headlights 

Towing and private escort vehicles are required to have headlights turned on at all times during the permit movement.  

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