Statement: Certification Reciprocity
Addresses the lack of certification reciprocity between states and advocates for a multistate compact recognizing qualified pilot car operators across borders.
Duration
~3 minutes spoken
Good morning. My name is [Your Name], and I'm a pilot car operator based in [Your City, State]. I've been escorting oversize and overweight loads for [X] years.
I'm here today to talk about certification reciprocity — or rather, the lack of it.
Right now, a pilot car operator who is certified and experienced in one state often has to start from scratch when they cross a border. Different states require different certifications, different training courses, different background checks, and different fees. Some states require nothing at all, which creates its own set of problems.
This patchwork system hurts everyone. It raises costs for carriers who have to hire locally in each state rather than using qualified operators across a multi-state route. It reduces the pool of available, qualified escorts during peak hauling season. And most importantly, it undermines safety — because an operator who is fully qualified in one state may be treated as unqualified the moment they cross a state line.
We are not asking every state to adopt the same certification. We are asking for reciprocity — a framework where a pilot car operator certified in one state is recognized as qualified in another, the way commercial driver's licenses are recognized nationwide.
A pilot car operator who has completed a recognized certification program — whether it's a state program, an industry-recognized course, or a federal standard — should be able to operate across state lines without redundant paperwork, redundant fees, and redundant training.
This is not a radical idea. CDL holders have reciprocity. Law enforcement officers have reciprocity. Pilot car operators, who are responsible for public safety on some of the most complex transports on our highways, deserve the same.
We urge this body to support a multistate reciprocity compact for pilot car certification. It will reduce costs, increase the availability of qualified operators, and — most importantly — improve safety on our highways.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.