Become a Certified Escort Vehicle Driver

A certified escort vehicle driver is responsible for the safe movement of an over-dimensional load utilizing an appropriately identified vehicle and, if necessary, conducting flagging operations.  2020 Driving School offers an eight (8) hour course to help you obtain your Virginia certification.

Escort Vehicle Driver Training classes are held at our Fredericksburg location, normally every second Tuesday of each month.

Course price:  $325.00

 

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Fundamentals of the Program

An escort vehicle is one that is used to escort trucks with loads or convoys of vehicles.  It serves as a forward or rear warning device to the general public and is required for certain over-dimensional or overweight loads.  Escort vehicles are also referred to as flag or pilot cars.  Attendees for this class must have a valid driver’s license from the jurisdiction in which they live.

After successfully completing the 8-hour Escort Vehicle Driver Training class, students will be issued a certificate and will be prepared for the exam at the DMV.  The cost of the DMV exam is $25.00.

Our class teaches participants the skills and knowledge for the following:

  • Enhance the safety of the traveling public
  • Enhance the safety of the people involved in the movement of the over-dimensional load
  • Prevent damage to the highway and road system, such as overhead obstacles and road shoulders
  • Prevent damage to the load being transported
  • Reduce undue delay to the normal flow of traffic
  • Assure continuation of the industry’s safe transportation record
  • Prevent increases in insurance costs for the trucking companies due to loss claims
  • Avoid costly damage suits
  • Encourage uniform escort operations
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What is Escort Vehicle / Pilot Car Driver Training?

An escort vehicle also known as a pilot car or flag car is used to guide and protect the movement of over-dimensional or overweight loads on public roads. The escort vehicle driver serves as a forward or rear warning device for the general public, and is responsible for the overall safe movement of the load from origin to destination.

Virginia law requires all escort vehicle operators to be certified before performing escort duties for oversize or overweight loads. To obtain your Virginia escort vehicle driver certification, you must:

– Hold a valid driver’s license from your state of residence
– Complete a Virginia DMV-approved 8 hour escort vehicle driver training course
– Pass the DMV escort vehicle driver certification knowledge test with a score of 80% or higher
– Submit a completed Escort Vehicle Driver Certification Application (HP 404) to any Virginia DMV customer service center.

Relevant, up-to-date information

Relevant, up-to-date information

Information for this class comes from several sources, including the Virginia Escort Driver’s Manual and the Virginia Hauling Permit Manual from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles; the Virginia State Code; the Pilot Car Escort Best Practices Guidelines from the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association; the US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Commission; and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.

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Our 8 Hour Pilot Car Certification Course

Our pilot car training class is an intensive 8 hour in-person course held at our Fredericksburg, VA training location. Classes are typically scheduled every second Tuesday of each month and begin at 7:00 AM — giving you enough time to travel directly to the DMV and take your certification exam the same day.

Course information is drawn from authoritative sources, including:

– The Virginia Escort Driver’s Manual (HP 405) and the Virginia Hauling Permit Manual (Virginia DMV)
– The Virginia State Code (§ 46.2-2906 and § 46.2-2907)
– Pilot Car Escort Best Practices Guidelines (Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association)
– Federal Highway Administration (U.S. Department of Transportation)
– Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA)

Cost & Course Details

Here is a full breakdown of the cost to get your Virginia pilot car certification through 2020 Driving School:

Cost: $325.00

Virginia DMV Certification Exam Fee: $25.00

Total Estimated Cost: $350.00

Your Virginia escort vehicle driver certification is valid for five years. Upon renewal, certified escort vehicle drivers must also complete the classroom training before their certification can be renewed.

Prepare for the certification exam

Prepare for the certification exam

Get the insights and information needed to take the certification test at the DMV.  This course is designed to cover all the necessary information one will need to best prepare for the exam.

This 8-hour course typically begins at 7:00 am, giving students enough time to travel to the DMV the same day to test.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicle is dedicated to making Virginia’s roadways safer for the transportation of oversized cargo.  The goal of this program is to educate the escort vehicle driver so that they can safely escort an oversize load from its point of origin to its destination, whether thats within the State of Virginia or out of state.

Retaking the DMV Knowledge Exam

To become a certified escort vehicle operator in Virginia, you must complete an approved training course and pass the DMV certification exam. 2020 Driving School offers an 8-hour Escort Vehicle Driver Training course that prepares you for certification.

Escort certification classes are held at our Fredericksburg, Virginia location, normally every second Tuesday of each month.

A certified escort vehicle is a vehicle used to guide and warn traffic during the transport of over-dimensional or overweight loads. It acts as a lead or follow vehicle to ensure safety and proper movement on the road.

Yes. Virginia has reciprocity agreements with several states, meaning your Virginia pilot car certification may be accepted in those states as well.

To become a certified pilot car driver, you need a valid driver’s license, complete an escort vehicle driver training course, and pass the DMV exam. 2020 Driving School provides the required training to help you qualify.

The escort vehicle driver training course at 2020 Driving School is an 8-hour class designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed for certification.

No prior experience is required. You simply need a valid driver's license from your state of residence. Our course is designed for both first-time applicants and those renewing their certification.

The escort vehicle driver training course at 2020 Driving School costs $325. The Virginia DMV certification exam fee is an additional $25, bringing the total cost to approximately $350.

Enroll Today and Master the Road with Expert Driver Training!

  

2020 Driving School Coverage Areas in VA

2020 Driving School proudly serves Virginia and surrounding areas with DMV-approved driving lessons. Our professional driving courses provide flexible, affordable driving lessons for beginners, teens and adults across multiple locations in Virginia, making it easy to learn to drive safely and confidently in your area.

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Disclaimer: Home and school pickup/drop-off may be available for students located in Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, and Stafford. Eligibility depends on your exact address, distance, and instructor availability, as most instructors are based within these areas. If your location falls outside our service range or beyond our pickup radius, you will be assigned a designated pickup location. Please refer to our pickup locations here. For confirmation of eligibility, we recommend calling our office before scheduling.

The Virginia DMV is committed to promoting transportation safety through the certification of quality driver training programs. If you have comments or concerns about this driving school, call the DMV toll-free number: (877) 885-5790

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