About signs
Vehicle mounted signs
When oversize vehicles or vehicles carrying very large loads use our roads, they must have special signs mounted on them. They may also be accompanied by pilot vehicles to warn other road users to take care.
If you see one of these signs or pilot vehicles when you are driving, you should slow down. If the oversize vehicle or load is coming towards you, you may need to pull over and stop to allow it to pass.
Oversize sign
The sign below will be displayed on the oversize vehicle itself. If you see this sign when driving, you should drive cautiously. The vehicle may be very wide, long or high, or a combination of all three.
Oversize vehicle
Pilot vehicles
When a vehicle is carrying a large load, it may be accompanied by a pilot vehicle, with flashing yellow roof lights and a roof-mounted sign, to warn other road users.
If the pilot vehicle is in front of the load, the sign will either say ‘Long load follows’ or ‘Wide load follows’.
If the pilot vehicle is behind the load, the sign will either say ‘Long load ahead’ or ‘Wide load ahead’.
Wide load follows
Extremely large loads
If a vehicle’s load is extremely large, two pilot vehicles will travel ahead of it.
The first pilot vehicle will have flashing yellow and purple roof lights and a roof-top sign that says ‘Danger slow down’.
The second pilot vehicle will have flashing yellow roof lights and a roof-top sign that says ‘Wide load follows’.
Danger slow down
Important
If you see an ‘Oversize’ sign or a pilot vehicle with flashing lights, slow down and be prepared to pull over and stop.
Last updated: 16 February 2007