The following procedures shall be mandatory minimum requirements for all escorted moves:
Speed limit: Speed limits imposed by the permit-issuing authority shall govern all escorted moves, but in no event shall such moves exceed the legal or posted speed limit. Speed limits shall be obeyed by the escorting vehicles as well as the permitted movement.
Route: All movements shall be made on highways designated on the permit. Alternate routes shall no be used without prior approval by a permit issuing authority.
Time of Movement: All escorted moves shall be made during daylight hours and the times specified on the permit. Class C permits holders shall make all movements possible during the hours of minimum highway travel.
Weather: Escorted movements may be restricted during inclement weather or on ice and/or snow-covered highways. Inclement weather includes rain, fog, snow, ice, and high wind conditions.
Traffic: Escorted movements shall be conducted with a minimum of impediment to other highway users. Escorted movements shall move to the highway shoulder whenever vehicular traffic behind the movements becomes congested and shall remain off the main traveled portion of the roadway until the following traffic has cleared.
Obstacles: Escorted movements approaching narrow bridges or other obstacles that pose potential hazards shall be halted when safety dictates and removed from the traveled way until the escort vehicle proceeds past the obstacle and halts approaching traffic. The escorted movement may proceed past the obstacle when safe to do so.
Minimum number of escorts: Escorts shall be provided to the front and the rear of movements on primary and secondary highways and to the rear on Interstate and divided highways. Escorts shall maintain a distance of approximately 1000 feet from the oversize load unless a shorter distance is necessary to provide control over the movement.
Two oversize loads, each requiring escorts, may be authorized by the proper permit issuing authority to travel together on a two-lane highway maintaining a distance of approximately 1000 feet apart. One escort in front of the first load and one escort behind the second load shall be maintained at a distance of approximately 1000 feet unless a shorter distance is necessary to provide control over the movement. On Intestate or four-lane highways, one escort to the rear of the second load will be maintained.
A third oversize load requiring escorts cannot travel with a group of two oversize loads, but must remain at a minimum distance of a one-half mile from the group and must also have its own escorts.
A convoy of four oversize loads requiring escorts may be authorized to travel in two groups separated by a distance of at least one-half mile. Each group must have its own escorts.
Emergency moves after daylight hours requiring escorts will not be allowed to convoy.
When movements are confined to four-lane divided highways, and a segment of one lane is closed for repairs and the other lane is being used for two-way traffic, additional escorts may be required if a special hazard exists or the movement cannot be kept to the right of the centerline.
Movements requiring escorts using the interstate highways and intervening two-lane highways will need one escort for the interstate and two for the two-lane highways.
Parking: Drivers of the escort vehicles shall ensure that escorted movements do not park on the main traveled portion or the shoulder of the highway unless it becomes necessary in an emergency, or to properly pass an obstacle. Should it be necessary to park an oversize movement due to an emergency, the load will be adequately protected by flagmen, flares, an escort vehicle, or other suitable warning devices.
