Georgia Pilot/Escort Certification

1. Georgia Pilot/Escort Certification

2. Welcome

3. IntroductionYour Manual

4. Introduction YOUR manual (Chapters 1 – 5) provides information about: • Qualifications, duties, and responsibilities of escort vehicle operators 2) Laws and rules and regulations governing escort activities

5. Introduction 3) Information designed to make the escort functions safer and more effective.

6. Introduction The Appendix Includes: Appendix A— Escort Vehicle Operator’s Checklist Appendix B— Contact Information

7. Introduction This course covers escort procedures, traffic control, and defensive driving techniques.

8. Introduction Pilot/escort drivers must be awareof the rules of the road, not only in their home state, butin any state in which they will be operating.

9. Introduction When you complete this course and pass the exam, GDOT issues a wallet certification card.

10. Chapter One State of GA Escort Program • Program Basics • State of GA Rules • Equipment – Required • Equipment - Optional

11. Program Basics When properly conducted, escort services provide benefits to the public and transporters of oversize vehicles and loads.

12. Program Basics Most hazards in escort operations develop when drivers violate a law, a safe driving practice, or are unaware of how to control traffic.

13. Program Basics In other words, we don’t know, or we don’t do what we know.

14. Program Basics Above all else, we must remember that: Your safety, the safety of your crew, and the safety of the motoring public are more important than any transport operation being performed.

15. General Certification Requirements Purpose of Certification • To enhance the safety of the motoring public and the motor carrier industry. • Prevent damage to the highway system and load being transported. • Prevent or minimize delays to normal flow of traffic. • Reduce accident/loss rates, holding down insurance costs. • Standardizethe escort industry.

16. General Certification Requirements Requirements Any person who drives an escort vehicle for hire in Georgia must be certified by GDOT. To be certified, the person must meet these requirements:

17. General Certification Requirements • Be at least 18 years old. • Possess a valid driver license from the state or jurisdiction in which the person is a resident.

18. General Certification Requirements 3) Submit an applicationfor certification to the Oversize Permit Unit of GDOT on the form provided by GDOT, containing all required information.

19. General Certification Requirements 4) Attend a course in escort vehicle certification, as prescribed by GDOT, and pass the escort vehicle certification examination.

20. General Certification Requirements Course and examination The course is taught by the Technical College System of Georgia.

21. General Certification Requirements Course and examination Locations, times, and enrollment information are available at: (404) 253-2800 http://www.tcsg.edu/

22. General Certification Requirements Certification GDOT will issue a certification wallet cardwhen a person completes the escort course, passes the test, and satisfies all requirements.

23. General Certification Requirements The maximum term of the certification is 4 years. Certification automatically expiresafter 4 years. Upon expiration, the escort must comply with GDOTrules in effect at the time of recertification.

24. General Certification Requirements Operators must notify GDOT, Oversize Permit Unit, in writing within 30 days of any change of address or name.

25. General Certification Requirements Pilot/Escorts who operate only in intrastate commerce or in states that do not have certification requirements must apply for certification. Such certification is non-exempt from insurance requirements.

26. General Certification Requirements Denial or withdrawal of certification The following circumstances shall result in denial or withdrawal of certification:

27. General Certification Requirements 1) Failure to satisfy requirements or failure to give required or correct information on the application. 2) Violation of rules established by the certifying state.

28. General Certification Requirements 3) Suspension, revocation, cancellation, or denial of driver‘s license. The certified operator must notify GDOT, Oversize Permit Unit, in writing within 5 daysof suspension, revocation, cancellation, or denial.

29. General Certification Requirements 4) An accumulation of 15 pointsagainst the driver’s license of the certified operator within 24 months (combined in any of the 50 states).

30. General Certification Requirements Hearing If an escort has his/her certification withdrawn, the escort may request a hearing, in writing within 15 days of notification, with the GDOT Administrator of the Oversize Permit Unit.

31. General Certification Requirements Hearing The Administrator may set aside or affirm the loss of the oversize-overweight load escort vehicle certification. The individual appealing will be advised of the final disposition of the action within 21 days following the receipt of the appeal.

32. General Certification Requirements The GDOT Administrator of the Oversize Permit Unit may arrange reciprocal agreements with other states.

33. General Certification Requirements Currently, reciprocal agreements are in place with North Carolina and Florida.

34. General Certification Requirements Certification by other states Escorts do NOT need Georgia certification if they are residents of and have a certification from a state that has a reciprocal agreement with Georgia.

35. General Certification Requirements However, an escort vehicle operator who is a Georgia resident must have a Georgia certification.

36. Review: General Certification Requirements How old must escort drivers be? (18) Must have valid Driver’s License from where? (State where he or she lives) Certification lasts how long? (4 years)

37. Review: General Certification Requirements How long to notify GDOT of name or address change? (30 days) How long to notify GDOT if license is revoked, suspended, etc.? (5 days) How many pointscan lead to suspension in Georgia? (15 points in 24 months)

38. State of Georgia Rules Rules • Georgia Code Section 32-6-1 • 672-2: Permits For Vehicles or Loads of Excess Weight or Dimension Georgia Laws that govern the movement of goods and materials are contained in the Official Code of Georgia, Volume 23, Title 32 entitled Highways, Bridges and Ferries, Article Two of Chapter Six.

39. State of Georgia Rules No person shall operate an escort vehicle for hire unless the person has been certified by GDOT as an escort vehicle operator.

40. State of Georgia Rules A Vehicle is oversize/overweight if any of the following conditions exist: Width is greater than eight feet six inches (8’ 6”) Height is greater than thirteen feet six inches (13’ 6”) Weight is greater than 80,000lbs (or gross weight is greater than the maximum allowable weight according to the federal bridge law) Length is greater than 100’ long - (varies). Including overhang. (A legal 53’ semi trailer combination with no overall length limitations is allowed on federal/STAA routes)

41. State of Georgia Rules Any dimensions found to exceed the legal limits will require a permit. Escort Requirements: An escort driver is required if stated on the OS/OW permit.

42. Escort Requirements Any vehicle or combination of vehiclesexceeding width, height, or length requirements operating on state/interstate highways, must be accompanied by escort vehicle(s), as set forth by the GDOT Board Rules. 672-2-06(3)(C)

43. Oversize Vehicle Width Loads 12 feet wide or more but less than or equal to 14 feet 8 inches wide must be accompanied by a Front escort vehicle and a Rear escort/Amber lights on two-lane highway and by a Rear escort on multi-lane highways. 672-2-06(3)(C)(i)

44. Oversize Vehicle Width Loads more than 14 feet 8 inches wide including 16 feet wideare required to be accompanied by two escort vehicles, one in front and one in the rear, on two-lane highways. A rear escort only is required on interstate highways. 672-2-06(3)(C)(ii)

45. Oversize Vehicle Width All loads more than 16 feet wide or for loads not defined above are required to be accompanied by two escort vehicles, one in the front and one in the rear, on all roads and highways. GDOT may require a police escort. 672-2-06(3)(C)(iii)

46. Oversize Vehicle Height Loads 15 feet, 6 inches or greater are required to be accompanied by a vehicle front escort with a height sensor, when traveling on a limited access highway. 672-2-06.2

47. Oversize Vehicle Height 15 Feet or greater requires a Vehicle Front Escort with a height sensor when traveling through larger cities where traffic signals may be encountered.

48. Oversize Vehicle Length Any permitted load whose length exceeds 75 feet but is less than or equal to 100 feet, a Rear Escort/Amber Light is required. 672-2-06-1(i)

49. Oversize Vehicle Length For any permitted load whose length exceeds 100 feet but is less than or equal to 125 feet, a Vehicle Rear Escort is required. 672-2-6-1(ii)

50. Oversize Vehicle Length For any permitted load whose length is greater than 125 feet, a Vehicle Front and Vehicle Rear Escort is required. 672-2-6-1(iii)