761—511.18(321E) Escorting.
	511.18(1) Escort qualification. An escort shall be a person aged 18 or over who possesses a valid driver’s license which allows driving unaccompanied and who carries proof of public liability insurance in the amounts of $100,000/$200,000/$50,000.
	511.18(2) Escorting responsibilities.
	a. 	The escorting vehicle shall be a mid-size automobile or motor truck with sufficient mobility to be able to assist in an emergency and designed to afford clear and unobstructed vision both front and rear. The escorting vehicle shall not be used to tow a trailer while performing escorting duties. In questionable cases the permit-issuing authority shall determine if a vehicle meets these conditions.
	b. 	The escorting vehicle shall have a flashing or strobe amber light that is visible for at least 500 feet and provides 360° warning. While escorting a permit load, the light shall be mounted on top of the escort vehicle and shall be burning. Additional escort vehicle markings may be approved or required by the permit-issuing authority.
	c. 	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.
	d. 	The escort shall remain a distance of approximately 300 feet in front or to the rear of the load. However, when traveling within the corporate limits of a city, the escort shall maintain a reasonable and proper distance consistent with existing traffic conditions.
	e. 	A separate escort shall be provided for each load hauled under escort.
	f. 	All traffic laws and provisions of the oversize permit for the load shall be obeyed.
	g. 	The escort shall not assume responsibility for stopping traffic. An on-duty peace officer, as defined in Iowa Code section 321.1, shall be contacted to provide any traffic control needed.
	h. 	Immediately prior to an escorting trip, the escort shall determine that the escorting vehicle is in a safe operational condition and that the dimensions of the vehicle and load are in compliance with the permit issued.
	i. 	Escort fees charged by state and local authorities shall not exceed $250 per day per escort vehicle.
	j. 	A pole used for measuring vertical clearances shall be mounted on the front escort vehicle. The escort shall be required to measure all vertical clearances whenever the height of the permitted vehicle exceeds 14 feet 6 inches up to and including 20 feet.
	511.18(3) Requirements for escorts, flags, signs and lights. The following chart explains the minimum escort and warning devices required for vehicles operating under permit.
Minimum Warning Devices and Escort Requirements
For Vehicles Operating Under Permit

 	Flags/Signs	Lights	Escorts	
 	 	 	4-Lane	2-Lane	
Length					
75ʹ1ʺ up to and including 85ʹ	yes	not required	not required	not required	
Over 85ʹ up to and including 120ʹ	yes	yes	not required	not required	
Over 120ʹ	yes	not required	rear	rear	
Projections					
Front: over 25ʹ	not required	yes	not required	not required	
Rear: over 4ʹ up to and including 10ʹ	flags only	not required	not required	not required	
Rear: over 10ʹ	flags only	yes	not required	not required	
Height					
Over 14ʹ6ʺ up to and including 20ʹ	yes	not required	front with a height pole	front with a height pole	
Weight					
Over 80,000 lbs.	not required	yes	not required	not required	
Width					
Over 8ʹ6ʺ up to 12ʹ0ʺ	yes	not required	not required	not required	
Over 12ʹ0ʺ up to and including 14ʹ6ʺ	yes	not required	rear *	front *	
Over 14ʹ6ʺ up to and including 16ʹ6ʺ	yes	not required	rear *	front	
Over 16ʹ6ʺ up to and including 18ʹ	yes	not required	rear	front	
*In lieu of an escort, a carrier can display an amber light or strobe light on the power unit and on the rear extremity of the vehicle or load.
yes = required
Definitions:
Flags - Red or orange fluorescent flags at least 18ʺ square must be mounted as follows: one flag at each front corner of the towing unit and one flag at each rear corner of the load. In addition, there must be a flag at any additional protrusion in the width of the load.
Signs - A sign reading “Oversize Load” must be used. The sign must be at least 18ʺ high by 7ʹ long with a minimum of 10ʺ black letters, with a 1½ʺ stroke, on a yellow background, and mounted on the front bumper and on the rear of the load. The rear sign for mobile homes and factory-built structures must be mounted at least 7ʹ above the highway surface, measuring from the bottom of the sign.
Lights - A flashing or strobe amber light that is visible for at least 500 feet and provides 360° warning must be mounted on the towing unit and be visible from front and rear. More than one light may be necessary.
The permit-issuing authority may require additional escorts when deemed necessary. The signs or warning devices must be removed or covered when the vehicle is within legal dimensions.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 321E.14, 321E.24 and 321E.34.
[ARC 3193C, IAB 7/5/17, effective 8/9/17; ARC 4985C, IAB 3/11/20, effective 4/15/20; ARC 6061C, IAB 12/1/21, effective 1/5/22]