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Pilot Car certification

Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operators (P/EVOs) accompany Oversize Loads to help them and others stay safe on the road. Become part of a growing industry by getting certified as a pilot car operator in one of our online or in-person training classes.
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Pilot Car courses

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P/EVO | Washington State certification | Live online and in-person courses

Our 8-hour live online course makes earning your Washington State pilot car certification simple and convenient. In-person classes are also available at select locations.
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WITPAC certification | Blended course

Take your career to the next level with WITPAC (Wind Industry Transportation Professional Advanced Certification). Our convenient and effective online course combines self-directed and live online training. In-person classes are also available at select locations.
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P/EVO | Colorado Certification

This 8-hour certification course is offered through Colorado Safety Association. Contact them for details at coloradosafety.org.
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Private Safety Training Classes

Have a whole crew to train? With on-site training, one of our experienced instructors will train your staff at your facility.

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About our Pilot Car program

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What are the requirements to be a pilot car driver?

Fourteen U.S. states require training and certification for pilot car operators. The Washington State card is accepted in many of these. In order to earn this certification, you will need to be over 18, possess a valid driver license, attend our 8-hour training course, and pass the exam. Washington P/EVO cards are valid for 3 years.

Learn with the best

Offered both in the classroom and online, our 8-hour course covers the latest industry standards and best practices established at the state and federal levels.

FAQ/Support

What are the physical requirements/demands of a flagger?
  • Receive and communicate specific instructions clearly, firmly, and courteously
  • Move and maneuver quickly
  • Control signaling devices, such as paddles
  • Understand and apply safe traffic-control practices
  • Recognize dangerous traffic situations and warn workers
  • Stand for prolonged periods on uneven surfaces (up to 10 hours)
  • Traverse uneven surfaces and terrain
  • Stoop, kneel, or crouch
  • Grasp, push, or pull
  • Hear warnings
  • See dangerous situations
  • Occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds
  • Receive, understand, and take positive appropriate action based on information/instructions presented verbally and/or in writing
Do I have to have a picture on my card?

No. The cards are designed to be valid with a Government issued photo ID (such as a state ID card or driver’s license).

What is the minimum age to qualify as a flagger?

Because flagging is classified as a hazardous job, flaggers must be at least 18 years old in order to receive a Flagger Certification card.

Can I use my card in other states?

Washington and Idaho State Flagger cards are accepted in the states of Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Washington for Department of Transportation projects.

Pilot Car articles in our safety library

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WITPAC

Every move begins with a pre-trip meeting

It takes teamwork, communication, to help ensure that the load you’re moving reaches its destination without incident. That’s why every Oversize Load move must begin with a pre-trip meeting.
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Pilot Car

Pilot/Escort Vehicle Insurance

Many P/EVOs who have realized the importance of insurance have had the unfortunate experience of being sold insurance that is not adequate to cover activities performed as a P/EVO.
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Pilot Car

P/EVO supplies

New pilot/escort vehicle operators (P/EVOs) are responsible for acquiring their own equipment, unless supplied by an employer. The following supplies are recommended by Evergreen Safety Council, based on our Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator Certification curriculum and the recommendations of the National Pilot Car Association. Please keep in mind that your state or jurisdiction may have additional requirements.
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Pilot Car

P/EVO distracted driving article

Find out where you can use your Pilot Car Certification! Colorado, Washington, Utah, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia...
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Pilot Car

Railroad safety for Oversize Loads

Collisions between trains and Oversize Loads are more common than you think. If your permitted route takes you over railroad tracks, including urban light rail crossings, your team will need to assess them and plan ahead in order to stay safe.
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Pilot Car

High Pole Basics

Depending on the height of the load, the front P/EVO may need to run with a high pole. A high pole is a measuring device, mounted on the front of the lead vehicle, that is used to measure the height of obstructions along the route. The use of a high pole may be mandated on the permit(s). But even in cases where it is not required by the permitting agency, the carrier or transport team may decide that it is a good idea to run with a high pole in order to ensure the safety of the load.
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Pilot Car

Pilot Car (P/EVO) Glossary

When you begin work as a Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator (P/EVO), you’ll need to become familiar with industry-specific terminology. This glossary includes official terms, as well as more informal lingo, that you can expect to hear and use while on the job.
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Pilot Car

Pilot Car Certification Test Preparation Guide

Although your P/EVO course will cover all of the information you will be expected to know on the exam, we still have students ask if they can take a “pre-test,” or sample test, so they are familiar with the format and types of questions they’ll be asked. The following sample questions may give you an idea of what to expect from the exam.
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Pilot Car

Oversize Load Bridge Hits: A growing problem with one simple solution.

When a vehicle or its load is too large to pass under a bridge, a bridge strike occurs. These strikes, or hits, result in millions of dollars in infrastructure damage each year and can be hazardous—even fatal—for those responsible for the collision, other drivers on the road, or bystanders. 

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