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Pilot and escort vehicle driver

Accredited pilot vehicle driver

What am I authorised to do as a pilot vehicle driver?

The holder of a pilot vehicle driver accreditation is authorised to operate a pilot vehicle to warn other road users of the presence of an oversize vehicle/combination.

How do I become a pilot vehicle driver?

To become a pilot vehicle driver you must:

• hold a current Australian or New Zealand open or provisional driver licence which has been current for a total of at least three years during the five years immediately prior to the application (the three year period does not need to be continuous)
• meet the necessary competency requirements
• complete the Pilot/Escort Vehicle Driver Accreditation Application form (F4483) which may be lodged at a Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centre, or an authorised Queensland Government Agency Program Office
• pay the applicable fee/s when the application is lodged.

What competency requirements must I meet to become a pilot vehicle driver?

To meet the competency requirements, you must provide/undertake one of the following:

• A Statement of Attainment "Pilot or Escort Oversized and/or Overmassed Loads" (TLIC3010A or TLIC1007) issued by a registered training provider.
• Pass a written test delivered through a TMR customer service centre – you can obtain relevant knowledge in preparation for the test by referring to the Guideline for excess dimension – vehicles carrying indivisible articles, special purpose vehicles and vehicles that require a pilot or escort in Queensland, Form 4 and the Queensland Road Rules.

How long does an accreditation for a pilot vehicle driver last?

A pilot vehicle driver accreditation is issued for a period of three years.

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Accredited escort vehicle driver

What am I authorised to do as an escort vehicle driver?

The holder of an escort vehicle driver accreditation is authorised to operate a pilot or escort vehicle to warn other road users of the presence of an oversize vehicle/combination and perform traffic control.

How do I become an escort vehicle driver?

To become an escort vehicle driver you must:

• hold a current Australian or New Zealand open or provisional driver licence which has been current for a total of at least three years during the five years immediately prior to the application (the three year period does not need to be continuous)
• meet the necessary competency requirements
• complete the Pilot/Escort Vehicle Driver Accreditation Application form (F4483) which may be lodged at a Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centre, or an authorised Queensland Government Agency Program Office
• pay the applicable fee/s when the application is lodged.

What competency requirements must I meet to become an escort vehicle driver?

To meet the competency requirements, you must provide/undertake the following:

• A Statement of Attainment – "Pilot or Escort Oversized and/or Overmassed Loads" (TLIC3010A or TLIC1007) issued by a registered training provider. You must provide proof to the registered training provider that you have undertaken 12 trips as a pilot vehicle driver (proof to be provided in the form of a pilot/escort movement record book or equivalent).

How long does an escort vehicle driver accreditation last?

An escort vehicle driver accreditation is issued for a period of three years.

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Interstate operators

A pilot/escort vehicle driver from another state or territory may bring a load into Queensland under the following conditions.

For pilot/escort vehicle drivers who reside in another state or territory that has formal accreditation (Victoria, Northern Territory and Western Australia), the driver must:

• restrict operation to the level of authority given by their state of origin
• comply with the performance guideline for pilot/escort vehicles and drivers – Guideline for excess dimension – vehicles carrying indivisible articles, special purpose vehicles and vehicles that require a pilot or escort in Queensland, Form 4
• provide their current interstate accreditation/authority, or evidence of achieved competency, if requested by a Transport and Main Roads transport inspector or Queensland police officer.

For pilot/escort vehicle drivers from states or territories with no formal accreditation, the driver must:

• reside in the jurisdiction where their driver licence was issued
• restrict operation as a pilot vehicle driver only
• comply with the performance guideline for pilot/escort vehicles and drivers – Guideline for excess dimension – vehicles carrying indivisible articles, special purpose vehicles and vehicles that require a pilot or escort in Queensland, Form 4
• provide evidence that they carry out their pilot or escort operations as a means of earning a livelihood in their state of origin (for example, a letter from their employer on business letterhead) if requested by a Transport and Main Roads transport inspector or Queensland police officer.

Queensland pilot/escort vehicle drivers wishing to operate interstate should contact the relevant interstate authority for information on the duties they are authorised to perform.

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Pilot/escort movement record book

A pilot/escort movement record book is required to be maintained and details of most journeys recorded in accordance with section 14.4 "Record of Movement" in the Guideline for excess dimension – vehicles carrying indivisible articles, special purpose vehicles and vehicles that require a pilot or escort in Queensland, Form 4.

Pilot/escort movement record books are available from most Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centres, or authorised Queensland Government Agency Program Offices.

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Conditions of use

Accredited pilot and escort vehicle drivers must:

• carry their accreditation identity card, industry authority card or interim industry authority document at all times and their pilot/escort movement record book (if applicable) when performing the role
• produce their accreditation identity card, industry authority card or interim industry authority document at the request of a police officer or a Transport and Main Roads transport inspector
• comply with the performance guideline for pilot vehicle drivers – Guideline for excess dimension – vehicles carrying indivisible articles, special purpose vehicles and vehicles that require a pilot or escort in Queensland, Form 4.

Note: The internet version of Form 4 does not include "Critical Areas and Roads in Queensland for Vehicles/Combinations Requiring Pilot/Escort map". It is only available through the Queensland Government Bookshop. Pilots accompanying vehicles/combinations over 3.5m wide, and over 25m in length should purchase a copy of the Guidelines (which includes the map) through the Queensland Government Bookshop.

Contact details:

SDS Customer Service
Phone: 1800 801 123^x

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Registered training providers

Under national agreement, jurisdictions must enter into Service Provider Deeds (SPD) with Registered Training Organisations (RTO) that do or wish to provide services interstate.

Provided an SPD is in place with the home jurisdiction, an interstate jurisdiction should recognise a Certificate of Competency issued by the RTO. If there is no SPD in place with the home jurisdiction, then an interstate jurisdiction will not recognise certificates issued by the RTO.

The below RTOs marked with an asterisk (*) have a signed SPD with the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

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^yCall surcharge will apply. Higher rates from mobile phones will apply.