Department of Labor

Vehicle Escort Driver

Description

Vehicle escort drivers drive vehicles that accompany overdimensional loads being driven in NYS.

Licensing Requirements

Applicants must take a written test at a New York State Department of Motor Vehicles office. In addition, an applicant must have a valid New York State license or out-of-state license with current New York State driving privileges.

Age Requirement

Applicants must be at least 21 years of age.

Fees:

$40 -- Written test fees
$40 -- Renewal fee (concurrent with expiration of NYS license or 4 years for out-of-state licensed drivers)
$5 -- Duplicates

Examination Requirements

To become a certified vehicle escort driver in New York State, applicants must take a written test consisting of 20 questions and score 70 percent or higher.

Note: A Certified Vehicle Escort Driver Manual is available to applicants for study prior to the written examination (available online at https://www.dot.ny.gov/nypermits/repository/escort.pdf).

Examination Description

The vehicle escort driver test includes questions on safe driving, rules of the road, regulations governing the movement of over-dimensional loads, responsibilities of the escort driver, escort procedures, and New York State traffic laws. Applicants should also be familiar with the New York State Driver's Manual and the Hauling Permit Manual.

Limited Permit Requirements

There are no limited permit requirements for escort certification. Applicants who pass the written test are immediately certified and are given a 60-day interim certificate. Their permanent certification is sent to them by mail.

Certificates Issued and Active

In 2017, there were 720 original certificates issued for escort vehicle drivers.
As of October 31, 2018, there were 7,933 drivers with Escort certificates.

Licensing Authority

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
Motor Carrier Bureau
Bus Driver Unit
6 Empire State Plaza, Room 331
Albany, New York 12228

To contact the NYS DMV Call Center: https://dmv.ny.gov/contact-us/dmv-phone-numbers

Standard Occupational Classification

53-3041 - Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs
To learn more about this occupation go to the Occupational Information Network (O*Net) .

Additional Information

New York State Department of Transportation
50 Wolf Road
Albany, New York 12205
Phone: (518) 457-6195

Disclaimer:

Fees stated and other information contained in this report are subject to change. Please contact the licensing authority listed above for the most current information.

This page was last updated on 11/7/18.