In the United States, fourteen states require Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operators (PEVOs) to be certified. Each of these states has slightly different rules, but the Washington PEVO certification is accepted in most of them.
Where is certification required?
The following states all require PEVOs to have some form of certification (exact requirements differ between states – see the section below for details):
Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.
Which certification should I get?
PEVOs often move loads through multiple states, so it is advantageous to have a certification that will be accepted in as many of them as possible. Many states have agreements (often called “reciprocity”) accepting other state PEVO certifications as valid. The Washington certification is one of the most widely-recognized: it is accepted in every one of the states listed above, with the exception of New York.
NOTE: If you are a resident of one of the states listed above, you will likely be required to carry that state’s certification while operating there. You should check your state’s rules for details. Depending on which state you live in, however, it still may be smart to carry another certification that will be recognized more widely. Many operators have both a Washington certification and one from their own state of residence.
The USDOT maintains a list of which states accept which certifications, plus links to individual state PEVO information.
Unlike some Driver Licenses, certifications are not transferable between states. You may not exchange your state certification for a different state certification. But you may earn and carry more than one.
Are there other requirements PEVOs should know about?
Depending on the state, there may be additional requirements to note.
- Some states, such as Utah, require a separate certification for the pilot vehicle itself. Check the requirements where you operate.
- Florida requires all PEVOs to complete the National Safety Council’s 8-hour defensive driving course, in addition to being pilot car certified.
- New York has its own certification that differs significantly from others states.
- Pennsylvania only requires a certification for its “Certified Escort Vehicle” program when replacing state police in a Superload movement.
- Texas only requires PEVOs to be Flagging certified.
In addition to certification, it’s important to make sure you have the right insurance, equipment, and training in order to pilot safely. Check out our PEVO info page for more details.
The number of states requiring PEVO certification changes every year, as do agreements between states. Make sure you always double-check the rules in the states where you operate.
