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Iowa Road Conditions
(515)288-1047-Road conditions
http://www.511ia.org/ (Construction/Closure maps)

IOWA PILOT CAR REGULATIONS
When Permit Is Needed
Over 8'6" wide
Over 13'6" high (14' high auto transporters)
Trailer over 53' long

Special Information Needed
Registered weight
Overhang
Overweight-(must be registered for amt of weight being hauled w/ copy of cab card sent to state as proof)

Times Of Movement
One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset
(24 hours/ day 7 days a week if not over 11' wide, 100' long, or 14'4" high)
No travel on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day (beginning at noon on the last weekday preceding  the holiday including holidays that fall on Monday)
Curfews: Des Moines I-235 from 7:00-9:00am & from 4:00-6:00pm M-F

When a Pilot/Escort Vehicle is Required
http://www.legis.state.ia.us/Rules/2001/iac/761iac/761512/761511.pdf
On all highways: height exceeds 14'4"-20’ 1 escort w/ height pole (over 20’ 1 escort but not height pole); over 16’ high power & utility companies must be contacted & must accomopany load or carrier must carry letter of clearance from them.
Over 120’ long-1 rear
On 2- lane highways: width exceeds 1/2 roadway up to and including 14'6"-1 front pilot
On 4- lane highways/interstates: Over half tthe roadway; up to & including 14’6” wide-1 rear (or amber light/strobe light)
Over 14’6” to 16’6”wide-1 rear pilot (or amber light/strobe light)
Over 16'6"-18’ wide-1 rear pilot

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle
General: a mid-size automobile or motor truck
Signs: “OVERSIZE LOAD” sign at least 18” x 7’ with a minimum of 12”black letters, with a 1 ½”stroke, on a yellow background, and mounted on the front bumper and on the rear of the vehicle
Lights: an amber revolving light at least 7 inches high and 7 inches in diameter with at least a 100-candlepower lamp providing 360
warning. A light of smaller dimensions shall not be permitted unless a strobe light is used. Mobiles: must display amber strobe/revolving light on rear & 1 on towed vehicle
Flags: An 18-inch by 18-inch red or orange fluorescent flag shall be mounted on each corner of the front bumper of the escort vehicle.
Additional equipment: None stipulated

Requirements for Pilot/Escort Vehicle Driver
A person aged 18 or over who possesses a ClassA, B, C or D driver’s license which allows driving unaccompanied,  has a properly equipped vehicle,
and who carries proof of public liability insurance in the amounts of $100,000/$200,000/$50,000.

Dept. of Transportation Permits Office-Hours: 7am-4:30pm M-F; 8:00am-4:00pm Sat; Closed Sunday
Dept. of Transportation
Motor Carrier Services
Park Fair Mall, 100 Euclid Ave
Des Moines, IA 50306
(515)244-8725 (general info)
(515)237-3264; fax:(515)237-3257 (permits)

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