Okla. Admin. Code § 730:50-5-16

Current through Vol. 41, No. 19, June 17, 2024

Section 730:50-5-16 - Requirements for escort vehicles and escort vehicle operators

(a)General requirements for escort vehicles. Any vehicle to be used as an escort vehicle must be either a pickup truck of not less than one-quarter (1/4) ton rated load capacity or an automobile of not less than 2,000 pounds. The escort vehicle must be properly licensed under the statutes of the State of Oklahoma [47 O.S. § 1101 et seq.] or properly licensed in another state If commercially licensed, an escort for an intrastate move must obtain a temporary registration from the Oklahoma Tax Commission Motor Vehicle Registration Division.

(b)Identification of escort vehicles. The owner of an escort vehicle must have displayed on each side of the escort vehicle the name, city and state of the escort vehicle company or operator, or the owner of the escort vehicle, or both. Such identifying markings must be:

(1) Plainly legible and visible to the motoring public.

(2) Readily legible during daylight hours from a distance of fifty (50) feet while the vehicle is stationary.

(3) Kept and maintained in a manner to preserve legibility.

(4) In a color or colors which sharply contrast with the background on which they are placed.

(c)Equipment of escort vehicles. An escort vehicle must carry the following items of equipment at all times when escorting an oversize/overweight vehicle or load:

(1)Flags. Red flags shall be at least twelve (12) inches square and shall be attached to standards angled upward to the left and right at forty-five (45) degrees and mounted on the top of the cab. No flags shall be displayed unless the escort vehicle is actually engaged in escorting.

(2)Mirrors. The vehicle shall be equipped with an outside rear-view mirror on each side of the vehicle.

(3)Radio. Escort and towing vehicles shall be equipped with a two-way radio which is capable of transmitting and receiving voice messages over a minimum distance of one (1) mile and which is compatible with radios in the escorted vehicle and any other escort vehicle(s).

(4)Fire extinguisher. One (1) ten-pound or two (2) five-pound ABC fire extinguishers. Extinguishers shall be checked annually to ensure they are operational.

(5)Flares or reflectors. Four (4) LED type flares, three (3) traffic cones or three (3) portable triangle reflector units.

(6)Sign. The regulation "Oversize Load" sign, as provided in 730:50-5-15(a), except that sign shall be at least ten (10) inches high, shall be mounted either on the front or the roof of front escort vehicles and on the rear or on the roof of the rear escort vehicle while escorting an oversize vehicle or load. The sign shall be clearly visible without an obstruction. No signs shall be displayed unless the escort vehicle is actually engaged in escorting.

(7)Warning lights. One AAMVA-approved rotating or flashing amber beacon or a flashing amber light bar system shall be mounted on top of the escort vehicle and shall be of sufficient intensity when illuminated to be visible from five hundred (500) feet in normal sunlight, and shall rotate, oscillate, or flash through 360 degrees. Blue lights are strictly prohibited and, red, or white rotating lights are not authorized under Oklahoma statutes. In addition:

(A) Headlights of escort vehicles shall be lighted at all times during movement.

(B) Warning lights in conformance with 47 O.S. § 12-220(B) may be used in conjunction with the headlights.

(C) No warning lights shall be displayed unless the escort vehicle is actually engaged in escorting.

(8)Measuring pole. A current height measuring pole made of non-conductive, flexible, non-fragile material when escorting a load or vehicle which is fifteen (15) feet and nine (9) inches or more in height.

(9)Traffic control sign. Two (2) "STOP" and "SLOW" paddle signs at least 18" inches in diameter with letters at least 6" high with a reflective surface which meets standards set by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

(10)Safety clothing. A hard hat and a jacket or vest, both of which meet standards set by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, for each person who may be assigned to traffic control, setting reflectors or any other duties conducted on or near a roadway.

(11)Flashlight. At least one operating handheld flashlight that is visible for at least 500 feet.

(12)Spare tire. A full-size spare tire for the escort vehicle, tire jack and lug wrench.

(d)Prohibitions when operating escort vehicles. The escort vehicle shall not:

(1) Carry any item, equipment, or load in or upon the vehicle which:

(A) Exceeds the height, length, or width of the vehicle, overhangs the escort vehicle; or otherwise impairs its immediate recognition as an escort vehicle by the motoring public.

(B) Impairs the view of the operator of the escort vehicle or the escorted vehicle.

(C) Obstructs the view of signs or flags used by the escort vehicle or causes safety risks to the motoring public.

(D) Impairs the performance of the escort vehicle.

(2) Tow any trailer or other vehicle, except that an escort vehicle operator not required to be certified by the Department may tow a trailer when escorting a manufactured home. Such trailer shall not exceed eight and one-half (8 1/2) feet in width and twenty (20) feet in length with siding not to exceed four (4) feet in height measured from the bed of the trailer. The trailer may only be used to transport supplies and equipment necessary to carry out the mission of escort vehicle operators [47 O.S. § 14-120.1(C)] and shall not be used to carry other supplies, equipment, or cargo.

(3) The operator of the escort vehicle shall not perform as a tillerman or steerman while performing escort operations. A passenger in the escort vehicle may act as a steerman. For purposes of this paragraph, "tillerman" means a person who is physically located on the CMV, has a valid commercial driver license and who operates by remote control or other means any axle of the CMV; "steerman" means a person who is not physically located on the CMV, not required to have a valid commercial driver license, and who operates by remote control or other means any axle of the CMV.

(e)Duties of escort vehicle operators.

(1)Traffic control. In the performance of duties as the operator of an escort vehicle, the operator is authorized to direct traffic to stop, slow down or proceed in situations where such direction is necessary to allow traffic or the escorted vehicle or load to continue moving safely. Pilot/Escort operators must be trained and certified to perform the above duties according to MUTCD (Section 6E.01 Qualifications for Flaggers.

(A) The operator of the escort vehicle shall require the escorted vehicle or load to stop, and the escorted vehicle shall move as far off of the roadway as practicable and stop to allow other traffic to pass, under the following conditions:

(i) When the escorted vehicle or load becomes disabled.

(ii) When the movement of the escorted vehicle or load on a particular section of roadway presents a safety risk or unreasonable risk to or unreasonably interferes with the efficient movement of other traffic, based upon such factors as the widths of the escorted vehicle or load, roadway, volume of traffic, limited visibility, or mountainous terrain.

(iii) When driving conditions for the escorted vehicle or load are hazardous for any reason including weather.

(B) When the escorted vehicle or load stops, the escort vehicle operator shall direct other traffic past the escorted vehicle or load as necessary until such time as the escorted vehicle or load can reenter the roadway and continue moving without presenting a safety risk or unreasonably interfering with efficient movement of other traffic.

(C) Escort vehicle operators when performing escort duties shall have their driver's license and escort certification on their person and present them for inspection at the request of any law enforcement officer.

(2)Escort vehicle operation.

(A) The operator of an escort vehicle must comply with all applicable traffic laws of this state and with the requirements of this Chapter when escorting a vehicle on all routes of the state highway system, including but not limited to the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System for Interstate and Defense Highways, all turnpikes, and such other roads, streets, or public ways that the Oklahoma Department of Transportation shall deem appropriate.

(B) On two-lane highways, the first escort vehicle will travel far enough to the front and the second escort vehicle, if required, will travel far enough to the rear of the escorted vehicle or load to timely warn approaching motorists. On multi-lane highways, the first escort vehicle will travel far enough to the rear of the escorted vehicle or load to timely warn motorists approaching from the rear.

(C) The operator of an escort shall not:

(i) possess, use, or be under the influence of alcohol, or have any measurable alcohol concentration within four (4) hours before or at any time while operating or in actual physical control of any escort vehicle.

(ii) use alcohol or be under the influence of alcohol within 4 hours before going on duty or while operating or having actual physical control of an escort vehicle; or

(iii) use alcohol, be under the influence of alcohol, or have any measured alcohol concentration or detected presence of alcohol, while on duty, or operating, or in physical control of an escort vehicle.

(iv) Operate an escort vehicle and be in possession of wine, beer, or distilled spirits.

(v) be on duty and possess, be under the influence of, or use, any of the following drugs or other substances:

(I) Any Title 63 O.S. § 2-204 Schedule I substance;

(II) An amphetamine or any formulation thereof;

(III) A narcotic drug or any derivative thereof; or

(IV) Any other substance, to a degree which renders the driver incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle.

(f)Insurance. Each certified escort vehicle operator who operates in interstate commerce, and on and after August 1, 2012, each certified escort vehicle operator, shall maintain a valid insurance policy issued by an insurance company currently authorized to issue policies of insurance covering risks in the State of Oklahoma, and proof of insurance shall be carried in the escort vehicle at all times. The insurance policy shall protect the public against loss of life, bodily injury to persons, and damage to property, as evidenced by a current certificate of insurance, including any applicable endorsement, which indicates that the operator, or the operator's employer, has in full force and effect insurance coverage for bodily injury or property damage, or both, as a result of the operation of the escort vehicle or of the actions of escort vehicle operator, or of both, causing the bodily injury or property damage, or both, arising out of an act or omission by the escort vehicle operator relating to the escort duties required by this chapter. The insurance shall be no less than $1,000,000 combined single limit or $1,000,000 per occurrence, or both, of commercial liability coverage, as applicable, and must be maintained at all times during the term of the certification.

Okla. Admin. Code § 730:50-5-16

Adopted by Oklahoma Register, Volume 40, Issue 24, September 1, 2023, eff. 9/11/2023