Abnormal Load Escort Car Services in the UK & Europe
UK Escort Cars
Our UK Abnormal Load escort cars follow the guidelines & lighting and marking regulations for Abnormal Load self escorting vehicles.
They are marked up to the ACPO / Highways England Code of Practice (Self-Escorting of Abnormal Loads and Abnormal Vehicles) fully equipped and are driven by highly experienced escorters.
Our Private Escort Vehicles (PEVS) are insured specifically to cover the escorting of abnormal loads on public highways as well as holding public liability insurance.
See below for our escort car equipment specification.
French Pilot Cars
French law requires escort car drivers to be qualified to work with abnormal load transports in France. Arrêté of 2 May 2011, NOR: DEVT1109077A
Convoi Exceptionnel Ltd only supplies escort cars / voitures pilotes in France with drivers who conform to this standard.
All pilot car drivers in France must hold either: a FIP certificate (Formation Professionnelle Initiale Des Conducteurs De Véhicules De Protection) or a FCP certificate (Formation Professionnelle Continue Des Conducteurs De Véhicules De Protection)
See below for more information on French pilot cars.
Escort Cars in the rest of Europe
Convoi Exceptionnel's appointed escort drivers liaise with multiple police forces en route and thanks to decades of experience, work quickly and professionally to troubleshoot any issues that may arise.
Our Europe-wide network of abnormal load escort vehicles carry two way radios with UK and European frequencies as well as highway safety equipment.
In each European country, you may need to negotiate with police forces in different local regions as well as at national level. Having an experienced escort driver is vital.
Local knowledge is important - ensuring efficiency & safety.
UK Escort Car Services
Our Abnormal Load Escort Vehicle minimum Specification:
- Fully marked up to the Code of Practice for Escorting Abnormal Loads
- Descriptive Signs indicating “Escort Vehicle” “Abnormal Load”
- Rear and side of vehicle marked with hi-visibility chevron markings.
- Beacons and lighting according to the Code of Practice
- Fully hands-free device fitted (BS Guide DD 235)
- 2 Mobile Radio devices (one for transport driver if he has no suitable radio)
- Traffic Cones with reflective sleeve
- 4 off lighting units for traffic cones
- Reflective breakdown triangles
- Spare load marker signs (4)
- Powder or CO2 Fire Extinguisher to BS EN3 (with valid certificate)
- An in-date First Aid Kit (1-10 employee – CE Approved)
- Camera
- Vehicle tracking system
- Full Police and Highway Authority contact details
- Hi-visibility jacket and vest with reflective sashes, hard hat for driver
- Maps covering areas being used including Truckers Bridge Height Map.
The key thing for private escorts is experience. A wide load is different from a long load. While lighter loads can move quite quickly, heavy haulage can be very very slow indeed. When it comes to recruitment, Convoi always favours people with knowledge and experience both when it comes to obtaining permits, and escorting.
In the UK, it was once the duty of the police to escort large loads. They handed over responsibility at each of more than 40 police force boundaries, with each area having its own rules. Consequently, moving such cumbersome cargo could be a drawn-out and expensive process with plenty of standing time waiting for changeovers.
Self-escorts have helped a lot with reducing this waiting time as it means that transports can run straight through county boundaries on clear roads, with the escort driver ensuring each police force is advised 30 minutes prior to crossing a county boundary where necessary. It also provides greater flexibility for Convoi to organise the movement of loads at optimum times to minimise traffic congestion and maximise load safety.
French Pilot Car Services
French law now requires escort car drivers to be qualified to work with abnormal load transports in France. Arrêté of 2 May 2011, NOR: DEVT1109077A. Convoi’s own escort car drivers all hold an FCP certificate.
It has long been the case that a “Chef de Convoi” has to be appointed for every transport running under the permit regulations. This designated person is responsible for the legal operation of each transport and also the route planning. In the case of a transport operator who can show that his driver speaks and reads French the Chef de Convoi is normally their driver. However, in the case that the driver does not speak and read French, the certified escort driver will normally assume this role.
In the case of rule infraction then the Chef de Convoi is jointly responsible together with the Truck Operator.
Some of the conditions of the permit which are likely to be a cause of fines are as follows:
- Running without a permit.
- Running off route.
- Exceeding the speed limit for convoi exceptionnels
- Exceeding permit dimensions.
- Running without a qualified escort car.
- Not having someone who speaks the local language with the transport.
- Exceeding driving hours.
- Absence of legal convoi marker signs (click here: French Convoi Markers) / lighting.
- Disregard of any other permit regulations.
Additional information
- From May 2016 the colour of all escort vehicles in France must be Yellow RAL 1004, RAL 1032 or equivalent.
- As from January 2015 Police or other competent authority have the right to ask to see the FIP or FCP Certification of an escort driver.
- In the case of non compliance the Escorter will not be allowed to continue and the transport will be immobilised until a suitably qualified Escorter is supplied.
Your specialists in Abnormal Loads throughout the UK & Europe
Convoi Exceptionnel Ltd. Inc 1998. ©Copyright. All rights reserved.
Registered Address : Director Generals House, 15 Rockstone Place, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 2EP, UK
Company Registration Number : 3670564 | VAT Registration Number : GB 730 0879 46
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