A pilot car driver, also known as an escort vehicle driver or a lead car driver, is responsible for escorting oversized or over-dimensional vehicles, such as trucks, trailers, and cranes, to ensure that they can safely and legally travel on public roads. The job of a pilot car driver is to guide the large vehicles through the streets, highways, and bridges and to alert other drivers of the approaching convoy. The primary responsibilities of a pilot car driver include:
- Preparing and inspecting the pilot car: The driver must ensure that the escort vehicle is in good condition and is equipped with all the necessary safety equipment, such as warning signs, flags, and flashing lights.
- Communicating with the driver of the oversized vehicle: The pilot car driver must maintain contact with the driver of the oversized vehicle to coordinate movements and ensure that the convoy stays on course.
- Conducting route surveys: The pilot car driver must conduct a thorough survey of the route before the trip to identify any obstacles or hazards that could affect the convoy's movement.
- Managing traffic: The pilot car driver must manage traffic along the convoy route, signaling to other drivers when it is safe to pass or when they need to slow down.
- Reporting incidents and accidents: The pilot car driver must immediately report any incidents or accidents that occur during the journey.
- Maintaining logs and records: The pilot car driver must maintain accurate logs and records of the trip, including time spent, distance traveled, and any incidents that occur.
