New York State Certified Escort Manual PDF

# New York State Certified Escort Manual ## Foreword In August of 1995, legislation was signed to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law as it relates to flagpersons and escort vehicles. This legislation now allows for a person who holds a certificate issued by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to ac...

# New York State Certified Escort Manual ## Foreword In August of 1995, legislation was signed to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law as it relates to flagpersons and escort vehicles. This legislation now allows for a person who holds a certificate issued by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to act as a flagperson while conducting an oversize vehicle escort. This bill, which became effective on January 1, 1996, would allow persons other than police officers to be trained and qualified to serve as escort drivers. In a cooperative effort between the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, the State Police, the Thruway Authority, and the Department of Transportation this manual was published for those who wish to receive certification as oversize escort drivers. In recognition of the need to protect the public from unnecessary danger and inconvenience, this manual provides information, including rules and regulations, legal requirements, safety guidelines, and reminders that should be helpful to those who conduct certified escort operations on the highways of New York State. The establishment of equipment and identification standards for escort vehicles and their drivers, uniform guidelines in traffic control, communications and accident prevention and response, will serve to maintain or improve the safe operation of motor vehicles throughout the state. Permit and oversize vehicle uniformity can now be established with the utilization of the Certified Escort Manual. An understanding of the provisions of this manual is an essential requirement for certification as an escort driver and it is recommended that the manual be kept in the escort vehicle as a reference. Comments concerning the contents were received from various industries, including the New York State Motor Truck Association, Associated General Contractors of America, New York Manufactured Housing Association, Construction and Industry Council, Nassau and Suffolk Contractors Association, and the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association. Their input is gratefully acknowledged. ## Table of Contents | Section | Page | |---|---| | I. PURPOSE OF ESCORT DRIVER CERTIFICATION | 4 | | 1. Need for Certification | 4 | | 2. Purpose | 4 | | II. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION | | | 1. Applicability | 4-5 | | 2. Requirements for Providing Escort Service | 5 | | III. CERTIFICATION PROGRAM | | | 1. Where to Apply and Take the Written Test | 5 | | 2. What to Bring With You | 5 | | 3. Escort Driver's Test | 5-6 | | 4. Testing and Certification Fees | 6 | | 5. Notification of Test Results | 6 | | 6. Change of Address or Name | 6 | | 7. Duplicate Certificates | 6| | 8. Expiration and Renewal | 7 | | 9. Certificate Revocation and Suspension | 7 | | 10 Important Reminders | 7 | | IV. SAFE DRIVING PRACTICES | | | 1. General Rules of the Road | 8 | | 2. Defensive Driving | 8 | | 3. Accident Prevention Formula | 9 | | V. (A) HAULING PERMIT TRAVEL REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE MOVEMENT OF OVERDIMENSIONAL LOADS | | | 1. General | 9-10 | | 2. Days and Times of Travel | 10 | | 3. Exceptions - Days and Times of Travel | 10 | | 4. Load Overhang | 11 | | 5.-12 Speed Limit, Holidays, Flags, Flag Person, Lights, and Signs | 11-13 | | 13. Mobile and Manufactured Housing | 14-17 | | 14. Amber Flashing Lights-Overdimensional Vehicle and Loads | 17 | | 15. Escort Vehicle Regulations | 17-18 | | 16. Escort Driver Certification Required | 18| | 17. Operational Provisions - Conduct | 18-20 | | 18. Police Escorts | 20 | | V. (B) GEOGRAPHICAL REGULATIONS APPLICABLE FOR TRAVEL THROUGH CITIES AND TOWNS | | | 1. Geographical "Authority" | 20 | | 2. Geographical "Times of Travel" | 20 | | 3. Geographical "Dimensional Travel Restrictions" | 20 | | 4. Bypass Routes | 20 | | VI. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF ESCORT DRIVERS | | | 1. General Duties | 21 | | 2. Front Escorts | 21 | | 3. Rear Escort | 21 | | 4. Authority of Escort Drivers | 22 | | VII. ESCORT VEHICLES | 22-23 | | 1. Size and Identification | 22-23 | | 2. Mandatory Equipment | 23| | VIII. PROPER ESCORT PROCEDURES | 23-27 | | 1. Before the Trip Begins | 23 | | 2. During the Trip | 24 | | 3. After the Trip is Completed | 28| | 4. Methods of Flagging Traffic | 28-29 | | IX. DON'TS OF ESCORT DRIVING | 27- 28 | | X. EMERGENCIES | 28-30 | | 1. Procedures in Case of an Accident Involving the Overdimensional Load or Escort Vehicles | 28 | | 2. Reporting an Accident | 29| | XI. STUDY QUESTIONS | 29-30 | | XII. APPENDICES | | | A-1. Flag Location | 31 | | A-2. Lighting Location | 32 | | A-3. Warning Signs Location | 33 | | B-1. Vest Insignia | 34 | | B-2. Escort Insignia | 35 | | C-1. Testing Locations | 36 | | D-1. State Jurisdictional Names and Addresses | 37 | | D-2. Bridge Authority Names and Phone Numbers | 38 | | D-3. Listing of Telephone Numbers for New York State | 39 | *** # Appendix A-1, Warning Flag Requirements <br> The appendix is a set of diagrams showing the requirements for warning flag placement on an overwidth load. First, the diagrams show flag placement for overwidth loads. Next, a similar set of diagrams shows flag placement for overlength loads or any load that has a rear overhang of more than four feet. # Appendix A-2, Warning Light Requirements for Night Moves <br> The appendix is a set of diagrams showing the requirements for warning light placement on an overwidth load. First, the diagrams show light placement for overwidth loads. Next, a similar set of diagrams shows light placement for overlength loads or any load that has a rear overhang of more than four feet. # Appendix A-3, Sign Location for Permitted Vehicles <br> The appendix provides two diagrams, one showing sign placement for a load that is exceeding the legal width and one showing sign placement for a load that is over length or a load that has a rear overhang of more than four feet. # Appendix B-1, Vest Patch <br> The appendix is a diagram showing the design for the "New York State Certified Escort" patch that is required to be worn by all certified drivers. # Appendix B-2, Escort Vehicle Insignia <br> The appendix is a diagram showing the design for the "New York State Certified Escort Vehicle" insignia that is required to be displayed on each escort vehicle. # Appendix C, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Testing Office Locations <br> The appendix is a table listing all of the locations for New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Testing Offices categorized by region: Upstate, Long Island, and Metropolitan. # Appendix D-1, State Jurisdictional Names and Addresses <br> The appendix lists contact details for the following: * New York State Department of Motor Vehicles * New York State Department of Transportation * New York State Police * New York State Thruway Authority # Appendix D-2, Bridge Authority Jurisdictional Names and Telephone Numbers <br> The appendix is a table listing contact details for bridge authorities in New York State. # Appendix D-3, Listing of Telephone Numbers for New York State <br> The appendix lists contact details for the following: * New York State Department of Transportation * New York State Department of Motor Vehicles * New York State Police * New York Tax and Finance * New York City Department of Transportation * US Department of Transportation