How to Become a Pilot Car Driver in Oregon
- 1). Contact your local community college about any flagger certification programs it may offer. If no local programs are available, contact Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon, which offers certification in both standard flagging operations and rolling-stop traffic control. You may also check its list of certified flagger instructors to find out if one is available in your area. Neither of these certifications is required except on certain routes in Oregon, but both will improve your employability as a pilot car operator, since they will increase the number of routes you are available to drive.
- 2). Purchase a warning sign to mount on your vehicle. It must be at least 5-feet long by 10-inches tall with 8-inch letters painted with a 1-inch brush stroke on a "highway yellow" background. The sign must read "Oversize Load," according to Oregon Administrative Rule 734-082-0035, Section 2a. You may need additional signs for specific jobs, but this sign will be required for every job.
- 3). Purchase warning lights for your vehicle. You must have two flashing amber lights, one or more rotating amber lights or one or more amber strobe lights. Each of these options must flash at least 30 times per minute and be visible for 500 feet.
- 4). Purchase a CB radio and become familiar with its use. Oregon law requires you to maintain constant radio contact with the driver of the load you are escorting, so CB experience will be helpful when you apply for a job. You must also carry two 18-inch square red flags on 3-foot poles and eight safety flares. You will use these to alert traffic when your load is stopped and/or blocking traffic. Note, however, that you may not use safety flares when your load contains hazardous materials.
- 5). Consider obtaining pilot car certification in a neighboring state like Washington. While this is not required, it will increase your employability by allowing you to escort loads traveling outside of Oregon's borders.
- 6). Contact local transport companies to let them know you are available for pilot car work. There may also be pilot car companies near you who are looking for qualified operators. While work is never guaranteed, your flagging certification and out-of-state certification will make you a very competitive candidate for any pilot car job.
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