Pilot and escort vehicles in mountainous areas
Information sheet - November 2023
There are specific pilot and escort requirement for the movement of restricted- access vehicles in mountainous areas. In Victoria, as is the case nationally, there are two levels of pilot vehicle drivers - level 1 (pilot) and level 2 (certified pilot).
Definitions can be found on the Driver of Pilot vehicles page.
Where are Victoria's mountainous areas?
Defined mountainous areas in Victoria are indicated on all Victoria's Class 1 National Network Maps.
Pilot and escort requirement for mountainous areas
The below tables 1 and 2 outline the pilot requirements for restricted-access vehicles. Where access to local roads is required, the relevant local government authority may specify additional pilots or escorts.
Vehicles larger than those specified in tables 1 and 2 may require additional pilots and/or escorts. Enquiries should be directed to [email protected]
Table 1- Length limits
| Vehicle type | Length | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid | 12.6m to 15.0m | 1 pilot |
| All-terrain | 12.6m to 16.5m | 1 pilot |
| Articulated | 19.1m to 22.0m | 1 pilot |
Table 2 - Width limits
| Width | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 2.51m to 3.0m | 1 pilot |
| 3.01m to 3.5m | 1 certified pilot |
| 3.51m to 4.0m | 2 certified pilots |
| 4.01m to 5.5m | 3 certified pilots |
Travel times
Travel must not be undertaken:
- Outside daylight hours
- During school bus travel times
- On weekends, public and school holiday periods.
Applications for exemptions should be applied for via the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).
Note: these travel times do not apply to emergency and emergency preparedness vehicles.
Exceptions to tables 1 and 2
The following tables outline the exceptions from table 1 and 2. The above travel times apply to all tables, with table 3 and 4 having additional travel time restrictions.
Note: these tables do not apply to emergency and emergency preparedness vehicles.