RouteAllPilot Car Certificate Reciprocity By State
Official Sources Reviewed: November 12, 2026
No pilot car certificate works in every state. Arizona accepts any state’s card, New York accepts none, and seven certifying states publish their own short lists. Utah and Oklahoma cards are named on all seven lists. Use the tables below to see which states name your card, then confirm with the state before the job.
On This Page
This page compares which certificates each state accepts. For how each state certifies its own drivers, see Pilot Car Certification By State.
Which States Accept Which Pilot Car Certificates?
Nineteen states publish a rule or list that answers this question. Read your destination’s row, not your home state’s row: the state you drive in decides what it accepts.
| State | Own Card Required? | Accepts | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Yes. A CVSA-standard or equivalent course, repeated at least every 4 years. | Any other state’s escort certificate. It does not by itself authorize traffic control. | A.R.S. 28-1110 |
| Colorado | Yes. CDOT says you must complete the pilot escort course. | Arizona, Florida, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Utah, Washington and the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association (SC&RA). | CDOT permitting FAQ |
| Florida | Yes. An 8-hour flagging course plus an 8-hour defensive driving course or a CDL. | Another state with equal or stricter standards. FDOT’s approved course provider lists Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia and Washington. | Rule 14-26.012 |
| Georgia | Yes. Department of Public Safety (DPS) certification. | Recognizes Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Virginia and Washington. Reciprocates with North Carolina, Florida, Oklahoma and Washington. | Georgia DPS escort page |
| Kansas | Escort companies register every year; each driver needs a training course the state approves. | Check with the state. We could not confirm the KDOT list of accepted courses from the state’s site. | K.S.A. 8-1921 |
| Minnesota | Yes, under Minnesota Statutes 299D.085. | Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Washington, whatever state you live in. | State Patrol policy 20-002F1 |
| New Jersey | No. NJDOT says there is no certification requirement or process. | Nothing to accept. | NJDOT size and weight guide (2024), section 5.5 |
| New Mexico | You must meet your home jurisdiction’s escort-driver licensing rules. New Mexico certifies the escort vehicle. | Your home-state credential, under that state’s rules. | 18.19.8.90 NMAC |
| New York | Yes, above 12 ft wide, 80 ft long, 14 ft high or 10 ft overhang, or to flag. | None. New York does not recognize other states’ certificates. | NY DMV escort endorsement |
| North Carolina | Yes. An 8-hour course; a Class A CDL holder may take the exam without it. | Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia and Washington. | NCDOT reciprocation list (Rev 08/19) |
| Oklahoma | Yes, for hire. Oklahoma residents must hold an Oklahoma card. | A nonresident’s current card from a state with a reciprocal agreement. The rule does not list the states; check with the state. | OAC 730:50-5-17 |
| Pennsylvania | Only for the Certified Escort Vehicle superload program. | The 8-hour class is waived for Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, Colorado/Utah, Florida and Washington. You still apply. | PennDOT certified escort program |
| Texas | No card to drive the escort. A flagger who directs traffic needs approved training. | Training another state accepts for a flagger or pilot/escort operator. | TxDMV escort requirements |
| Utah | Yes. Drivers who live in Utah need a Utah course; 4-year card. | Nonresidents: another state’s card if its course meets the national Pilot Escort Training Manual guidelines. The list is by phone, 801-965-4892. | R909-2-24 |
| Virginia | Yes. An 8-hour approved course and an 80% test; the card lasts 5 years. | Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah and Washington. | Virginia DMV escort page |
| Washington | Yes, if your driver’s license is from Washington; 3-year card. | Out-of-state drivers: Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah and Virginia. | WSDOT pilot/escort page |
| Alabama | A pilot/escort flagging course equal to or better than Alabama’s. | The rule points to a list on the permit office website; that link is out of date. Check with the state. | Ala. Admin. Code 450-3-1-.05 |
| Nevada | A current course specific to flagger requirements. | The rule names no states. Check with the state. | NAC 484D.670 |
| Louisiana | Escort companies register every year. Drivers need a valid license from any U.S. state. | The statute sets no driver course. Check with the state for anything newer. | R.S. 32:387.1 |
For the other 31 states, the official sources we read do not publish an escort-driver card or an acceptance list. That is not proof that no credential applies. Check with the state, and use each state’s page in the 50-state certification reference to find the agency.
Which States Will Accept My Card?
Seven states publish a list of the outside cards they accept: Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Virginia and Washington. The table below reverses those lists so you can start from the card in your wallet. Arizona accepts every card on it.
| Your Card | Named By | Not Named By |
|---|---|---|
| Utah | Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington | None of the seven |
| Oklahoma | Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington | None of the seven |
| Washington | Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Virginia | None of the other six |
| Colorado | Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Washington | Virginia |
| Florida | Colorado, Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Virginia | Washington |
| North Carolina | Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Virginia, Washington | Colorado |
| Virginia | Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Washington | Colorado |
| Minnesota | Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington | Georgia |
| Arizona | Colorado, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Washington | Minnesota, Virginia |
| Georgia | Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington | Colorado, Minnesota |
| New York | None of the seven | All seven |
A state that leaves your card off its list can still have another route to qualify, such as Utah’s course-standard test for nonresidents. Ask that state before you take the job.
Does An Accepted Card Cover Defensive Driving?
Not in Florida. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) approved course provider says every escort needs a CDL or a National Safety Council (NSC) 8-hour defensive driving certificate, even out-of-state card holders. The Florida certification walkthrough covers the course.
Georgia’s 2026 application asks for proof of an NSC-approved defensive driving course “or an equivalent course.” The Georgia sources we read do not state an hour count for it. The eight-hour figure drivers quote matches Florida’s rule, not a Georgia page we could find. Ask the Georgia DPS Pilot Car Program at (404) 624-7254 before you book a course.
Pennsylvania’s superload program also asks for defensive driving and flagger training, even when your class is waived.
Does Where You Live Change The Answer?
Yes, in four states. The card you can use depends on your home state or your driver’s license.
- Oklahoma residents must hold an Oklahoma card. Only nonresidents can use a reciprocal state’s card.
- Utah residents must take a course Utah authorizes. Nonresidents can use another state’s card.
- Washington-licensed drivers need a Washington card. Drivers licensed elsewhere can use an approved outside card.
- New York gives residents an endorsement and nonresidents a certificate. Both need the New York test.
Minnesota is the exception in the other direction: its 2026 policy accepts the seven listed cards whatever state you live in.
What Does An Accepted Card Not Cover?
An accepted card answers one question: can this driver escort here. The rest of the state’s rules still apply.
- Traffic control: Arizona says an outside card does not authorize traffic control except under its rules.
- Equipment: Florida’s provider warns that out-of-state card holders are still fined for missing Florida equipment.
- Company registration: Kansas and Louisiana register escort companies every year.
- The vehicle: New Mexico certifies the escort vehicle itself.
Plan the hand-off before a state line with the escort handoff checklist if the next state does not accept your card.
Where Does RouteAll Fit?
RouteAll does not certify drivers or check reciprocity. Once you have confirmed the card works in every state on the route, RouteAll Pilot Pro keeps each escort job’s client, route, dates, miles and rate together and exports your pilot invoice. Viewing a route a hauler shares with you is free.
Before You Roll
Check every state on the route against the destination’s own list, not your home state’s. Carry your card, your driver’s license and any defensive driving certificate the state asks for.
Common Questions
Which states accept a Washington pilot car certification?
Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina and Virginia name Washington on their published lists, and Arizona accepts any state’s certificate. Pennsylvania waives its superload class for Washington. New York does not accept it. Checked November 12, 2026; confirm with the state before the job.
Does Florida accept a Utah or New York pilot car certificate?
Florida’s rule accepts a certificate from a state with equal or stricter standards. FDOT’s approved course provider lists Utah but not New York. You still need an 8-hour National Safety Council defensive driving course or a CDL, and Florida’s vehicle equipment.
Is a New York escort certificate accepted in other states?
Arizona accepts any state’s certificate. None of the seven state lists we checked, from Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Virginia and Washington, names New York. North Carolina’s current list (Rev 08/19) dropped New York from its 2018 version.
Further Reading
- Florida Pilot Car Certification Walkthrough
- New York Escort Driver Certification Walkthrough
- Pilot Car Certification By State
Sources And Scope
Each row cites the state’s own statute, rule or agency page, retrieved November 12, 2026. Florida’s accepted-state list comes from the University of Florida T2 Center, FDOT’s approved course provider; Florida’s rule itself states the standard, not the list. Lists change; confirm with the state before you accept a job.
- Arizona Revised Statutes 28-1110 — Subsection H: another state’s certification satisfies Arizona’s requirement but does not authorize traffic control. Retrieved November 12, 2026.
- CDOT Permitting Information FAQ — Course requirement and the list of recognized states and SC&RA. Retrieved November 12, 2026.
- Florida Administrative Code 14-26.012(2) — Escorts qualified by another state with equal or more stringent standards, qualified within four years; defensive driving and flagging course rules. Effective April 24, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2026.
- UF T2 Center Pilot/Escort FAQ — Accepted out-of-state certificates; CDL or NSC 8-hour defensive driving required for all escorts. Retrieved November 12, 2026.
- Georgia DPS Certified Escort Vehicle — Recognized and reciprocal states; electronic cards; program contact. Retrieved November 12, 2026.
- Georgia DPS 2026 Escort Application — Defensive driving course approved by the NSC or an equivalent course. Retrieved November 12, 2026.
- K.S.A. 8-1921 — Annual escort company registration and approved driver training course. Retrieved November 12, 2026.
- Minnesota State Patrol Policy 20-002F1 — Effective January 21, 2026: seven recognized states, regardless of residence. Retrieved November 12, 2026.
- NJDOT Commercial Vehicle Size And Weight Guide (2024) — Section 5.5: no certification requirement or process. Retrieved November 12, 2026.
- 18.19.8 NMAC — Section 90: driver licensed under the home jurisdiction’s escort-driver rules; escort vehicle certification. Retrieved November 12, 2026.
- NY DMV Escort Driver Endorsement — Thresholds; other states’ certifications not recognized. Retrieved November 12, 2026.
- NCDOT Reciprocation Agreement, Rev 08/19 — Ten accepted states; Colorado does not recognize North Carolina cards. Retrieved November 12, 2026.
- NCDOT EVO General Information, Rev 03/25 — 8-hour course; Class A CDL exam option. Retrieved November 12, 2026.
- OAC 730:50-5-17 — Subsection (f): Oklahoma residents need Oklahoma certification; nonresident reciprocal exception. Retrieved November 12, 2026.
- PennDOT Certified Escort Program Information — Accepted out-of-state classes, defensive driving and flagger training. Retrieved November 12, 2026.
- TxDMV Escort And Equipment Requirements — Flagger training; training another state accepts is acceptable. Retrieved November 12, 2026.
- Utah Administrative Code R909-2-24 — Effective March 16, 2026: domicile rule, nonresident standard, reciprocity contact, 4-year card. Retrieved November 12, 2026.
- Virginia DMV Escort Vehicle Driver — Reciprocity under Va. Code 46.2-2907 with seven states. Retrieved November 12, 2026.
- Virginia DMV Apply For Escort Certification — 8-hour course, 80% test, 5-year card. Retrieved November 12, 2026.
- WAC 468-38-100 — Washington card for Washington-licensed drivers; approved other-jurisdiction cards. Retrieved November 12, 2026.
- WSDOT Pilot And Escort Vehicle — Partner certification states. Retrieved November 12, 2026.
- Alabama Admin. Code 450-3-1-.05(11) — Course equal to or exceeding Alabama’s. Retrieved November 12, 2026.
- Nevada NAC 484D.670(6) — Current flagger-course certification. Retrieved November 12, 2026.
- Louisiana R.S. 32:387.1 — Annual escort company registration; driver license from any U.S. state. Retrieved November 12, 2026.