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Department of Transport and Main Roads

Becoming an accredited pilot or escort vehicle driver

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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:

If your application is approved and you're signed up for e-reminders we will email you:

  • an interim industry authority as evidence that you are authorised to perform the role until your industry card arrives in the mail
  • 3 days before your industry authority is due to be renewed.

If you have your email address recorded with us, we'll let you know when your industry authority card has been posted.

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:

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

A pilot vehicle driver accreditation is issued for a period of 3 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:

If your application is approved and you're signed up for e-reminders we will email you:

  • an interim industry authority as evidence that you are authorised to perform the role until your industry card arrives in the mail
  • 3 days before your industry authority is due to be renewed.

If you have your email address recorded with us, we'll let you know when your industry authority card has been posted.

How long does an escort vehicle driver accreditation last?

An escort vehicle driver accreditation is issued for a period of 3 years.

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Interstate operators

Pilot/escort vehicle driver from a state that has formal accreditation

Level 1 pilot vehicle drivers and level 2 escort vehicle drivers who are registered or licensed or certified or accredited in another state or territory (for example Victoria, Northern Territory and Western Australia) may operate under the Safe Movement Guideline—Pilot and escort operations in Queensland provided all of the following are met:

  • the operation is restricted to the level of authority for which they are permitted to operate in their home state or territory
  • they hold and have held for a total of at least 3 years during the 5 years before the day of entry into Queensland, a provisional or open licence to drive the motor vehicle
  • operations are conducted in accordance with the requirements contained in the Safe Movement Guideline—Pilot and escort operations in Queensland
  • Level 1 pilot vehicle drivers and level 2 escort vehicle drivers provide evidence of achieved competency (including the ability to perform traffic control duties if a level 2 escort vehicle driver) if requested to do so by an authorised officer.

Pilot/escort vehicle drivers with no formal accreditation

Pilot vehicle drivers who reside in a jurisdiction that does not have a formal accreditation (such as New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia and Australian Capital Territory) are only permitted to carry out level 1 pilot operations in Queensland provided all of the following are met:

  • the journey has commenced outside of Queensland
  • they hold and have held for a total of at least 3 years during the 5 years before the day of entry into Queensland, a provisional or open licence to drive the motor vehicle
  • they currently reside in the state or territory in which their driver licence was issued
  • operations are conducted in accordance with the requirements contained in the Safe Movement Guideline—Pilot and escort operations in Queensland
  • they comply with the mass or dimension exemption (for oversize heavy vehicles movements) issued under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (Queensland) Act
  • they can provide evidence that they normally carry out pilot or escort operations as a means of earning a livelihood in their home state or territory (for example, a letter from their employer on business letterhead) if requested by a Transport and Main Roads transport inspector or Queensland Police officer
  • they only pilot a load going out of Queensland (a return journey) with the same transport company for which they piloted a load into Queensland.

Queensland accredited pilot/escort vehicle drivers wishing to operate interstate

Queensland accredited pilot and escort vehicle drivers should contact the relevant interstate authority for information on the duties they are authorised to perform if they intend conducting the role interstate.

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Pilot/escort movement record book

Goods and services tax (GST)

The amount shown includes goods and services tax (GST).

A pilot/escort movement record book is required to be maintained and details of most journeys recorded in accordance with section 4.4 Record of movement in the Safe Movement Guideline—Pilot and escort operations in Queensland.

Pilot/escort movement record books are available from most transport and motoring customer service centres or authorised Queensland Government Agency Program offices.

The fee for a pilot/escort movement record book is $17.70.

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Conditions of use

Accredited pilot and escort vehicle drivers must:

  • carry their 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 industry authority card or interim industry authority document at the request of an employer, police officer or an authorised officer
  • produce their industry authority card or interim industry authority to the driver of the oversize vehicle (with the Record movement book) and to other pilot/escort vehicle drivers before commencing the journey, to confirm their level of accreditation
  • comply with the Safe Movement Guideline—Pilot and escort operations in Queensland and (for oversize heavy vehicles movements) comply with the mass or dimension exemption issued under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (Queensland) Act 2012—visit the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator website for more information.

Agricultural vehicles and combinations

Oversize agricultural vehicles and combinations have access under these guides:

Both guides allow the use of non-accredited pilot vehicle drivers.

Critical areas, critical roads and major roads

The critical areas, critical roads and major roads are identified on the Queensland Globe. Find out more about using the Queensland Globe to view the critical road network.

Pilot/escort vehicle drivers accompanying vehicles/combinations over 3.5m wide and over 25m in length should ensure they have ready access to the Safe Movement Guideline—Pilot and escort operations in Queensland and the critical road network on the Queensland Globe.

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Registered training providers

The following registered training organisations (RTO) are approved to deliver the relevant training in Queensland.

Name of Organisation Head Office Location Course Areas Contact Details
Mears Construction & Training Pty Ltd South Johnston (Qld) Pilot and Escort Vehicle Driver Ph: 07 4064 2842
Motor School Albion (Qld) Pilot and Escort Vehicle Driver Ph: 1300 969 098

Note: Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) may deliver training from various locations.

For changes to RTO contact details please email [email protected].

How to apply for inclusion on our list of registered training organisations.

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Last updated 7 December 2024

Fee increase

On 1 July 2024, most fees were frozen at their current level for 1 year to ease cost-of-living pressures for Queenslanders.