You must have seen loaded vehicles with oversized luggage traveling across different highways. This oversized load is a potential danger for other motorists.

Such an oversized load usually reaches other lanes and is sometimes so huge to occupy extra space on the vehicle’s backside.

All this extra size of the load is beyond the actual size of the vehicle carrying it. These oversized loads create an unsafe environment for others. While driving, motorists may not react safely within a short span of time.

To avoid any unforeseen incident, specialized vehicles are employed in the front and rear of the oversized load vehicle. The vehicles have a trained team with safety as their first approach.

These vehicles are known as Pilot Vehicles. The pilot vehicles are fixed with LED emergency warning lights and sometimes with warning flags.

A big text boldly mentions the name and warning of the pilot vehicle on it. By using LED emergency lights on pilot vehicles, companies keep the load as well as motorists safe from any incident.

The bright warning lights of pilot vehicles tell the people that they might be approaching a challenging situation. A situation that they must accurately account for.

A roof of the pilot car with an amber LED warning light alerts others about the danger that must definitely be avoided.

The amber LED warning lights, on pilot vehicles, are a life-saving tool in many cases.

Factors to be Considered

Also called escort cars, these pilot vehicles have a heavy responsibility in terms of safety.

Their role is not only limited to just traveling in front or back of oversized loads. We merely see them just moving around the load, but a lot is already done with respect to safety.

Let us discuss some important factors regarding the pilot vehicles:

Licenses

You can not get permission for becoming a pilot vehicle of an oversized truckload by just putting on the LED emergency warning lights. Proper licensing is necessary for converting your vehicle into a full-fledged Pilot Vehicle.

Thus, in order to operate a pilot vehicle you will need to obtain certification from the relevant authorities. Further, the certificates and or licenses must be renewed periodically without any delay.

In this matter, the rules and regulations depend upon the state in which the pilot vehicle is to be operated.

Surveying

Before leaving for an actual trip, your pilot car must thoroughly check and survey the route to be adopted. This is done to ensure that the oversized truckload can or can not go through the route safely without any hindrance.

The qualified team will evaluate the freeway of road, on and off ramps, turns, and corners included in that route.

They will also assess the kind and frequency of the traffic passing from that particular route. Each and every aspect of safety will be considered.

Safety of the Pilot Vehicle

The registration of the vehicle must be complete. All the necessary lights of the vehicle like the indicator, headlight, brake light, and tail light must be functional.

The emergency lights and LED bars must also be functional. Your team must ensure that the tires, mirrors, and other vital components of the pilot vehicle should be operational.

All this has to be checked before leaving for the actual trip with the load trucks. The completeness and preciseness of the functional items of the pilot vehicle decide how the trip is going to be.

Communication

Your pilot vehicle must have full communication capacity. The driving team of your pilot vehicle must communicate with the driving team of the other pilot vehicle and with the driver of the load vehicle.

This is ensured to keep the other vehicles informed about all the happenings on the road. This also tells them of the ever-changing new situations they might be approaching. Effective communication guarantees an accident-free trip for all the participants.

Traffic Control by Pilot’s Team

It is worth knowing here that the pilot’s vehicle has certain legal rights to control the surrounding traffic. This is to ensure the safety of the public, vehicles, and motorists.

The authority includes stopping the traffic as well. The rule is that the pilot vehicle must be considered an Emergency Vehicle, thus making the security and safety of all a first choice.

Normal people and motorists must also give respect to the team of the pilot vehicle. Their guidance and immediate actions are like a lifeline for everyone.

Requirements of Pilot’s Vehicle

Before making it to be on the road for final tasks, the pilot vehicle itself needs to be fully capable. The pilot vehicle should be completely safe while on the trip.

The safety equipment and functionalities of the pilot car should be not compromised. The following aspects will help you make a better understanding in this regard.

Vehicle’s Type

There is no specific bounding of exactly which vehicle to be used in a pilot’s role. The requirement is that the vehicle must be fully maintained, in perfect condition, and equipped with all the safety gear.

Your vehicle must be registered and have a license to be used as a pilot’s car. SUVs and some small trucks are preferred due to their height and toughness on the road.

Lighting Features

Your pilot vehicle should have all types of functional lights. The headlights, backlights, turn lights, fog lights, LED amber warning lights, dash lights, and daytime running lights must be there.

In addition to these, the deck lights, perimeter lights, and other LED light bars are also worthy to be included. In this regard, you must also refer to the local laws and guidelines pertaining to the state you are operating in.

Safety Equipment

There are certain safety items that every pilot’s vehicle must definitely have. This includes flag cones, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers.

The safety list also includes proper communication equipment for the pilot car. This is done to deal with numerous safety situations.

The requirements may vary from state to state. It is always advisable to consult with the local laws.

Fully Functional Parts

In addition to the above, the remaining parts of the vehicle also need your attention. The brakes must be properly working.

All the mirrors must be clean and in the right place. The wheel balancing and wheel alignment should have been done.

Fix all issues before the vehicle leaves for the trip.

Spare Stock

Apart from the working items of the vehicle, you must have some extra resources to meet any roadside emergency requirement.

The pilot’s vehicle must have spare tires so as to cover the long route involved. Having extra fluids and gasoline is also necessary.

Extra handy emergency lights are also very useful. Having spare items for the trip is extremely important as you never know what condition you may encounter on the road.

Getting the vehicle ready for the trip is equally important just as the trip itself. Simply put, you can not afford any risk.

Wireless Rechargeable LED Beacon

Types of LED Lights for Pilot Vehicles

It is vital to know the types of LED emergency lights involved in pilot vehicles.

The exact types or quantity of lights may vary depending upon the state you are operating.

You need to know this as these lights increase the safety aspect of all the people and vehicles involved in that particular environment.

External LEDs

Your rooftop must have a full-sized LED light bar fixed on it. This external light provides great road visibility.

Remember that an LED light on a pilot car is as important during day time as during the night. The motorists need to be aware of the oversized load.

The light needs to be fixed in such a position that the motorists can assess the approaching danger from a safe distance.

Internal LEDs

Having external LED lights is not enough, the pilot car needs internal LEDs to enhance the safety aspect.

The bright internal LED light bars are fixed inside to increase the visibility for other motorists. They may see your vehicle even from a distance of a thousand feet.

Beacons & Strobe Lights

The beacons and strobe lights provide enhanced visibility in certain situations. You don’t know what kind of circumstances the fleet may encounter.

These lights are hidden in normal conditions. You use them only when necessary and then only they become visible to others.

Directional LED Warning Lights

The pilot’s vehicle must also have directional light sticks. Such lights are employed when traffic is to be directed in a certain direction or away from the oversized load truck.

Work Lights for Emergencies

In normal circumstances, you don’t need extra work lights.

But in certain situations, the work lights might be needed to put the light on the oversized load or on a certain part of the road.

The same work lights can also be used to illuminate the pilot car in case you need to carry out some of its roadside maintenance.

Work lights provide great safety in difficult situations.

Mini LED Warning Light Bars

Mini LED bars perform the same functions as that big LED bars. In fact, they are more versatile in usage. Min LED bars come in many types.

One variant comes with screws for a simple and quick fix. While another variant comes with a magnet for extremely easy attachment to any part of the vehicle.

These mini LED bars are beneficial for those pilot drivers who use their personal vehicle as an emergency pilot car.

Safety of Pilot Vehicle

When oversized load trucks move on the roads, the pilot vehicles are a major safety tool. These vehicles ensure the creation of a safe environment on the go.

A properly equipped pilot car with everything working perfectly can save valuable lives from an accident.

Consult our team to get your pilot vehicle equipped with the right and high-quality LED lights at an affordable price.