Guide for Flag Car Services in Indiana — Make Your Travel Secure & Bring Convenience

An overloaded cargo fleet poses a threat to people and cargo. Flag or pilot cars play a vital role in the trucking industry to maintain the load, road, and public safety. 

Cargo vehicles need pilot cars to be their eyes to warn and direct them of the possible threats on the route. In some states, such as Indiana, it’s a legal violation for a cargo vehicle to travel without a flag car.

To save your company from a bad name, do all your research on transporting heavy-weight cargo. And if you don’t know how to avail of these services, simply go through our guide for flag car services in Indiana. 

A Guide for Flag Car Services in Indiana

Pilot cars are driven by licensed drivers who acquire training for this purpose. They ensure the cargo’s safety and prevent the company from getting into any legal complications in case of road accidents. 

It’s also a big cost-saving move by the business to avoid possible accident, freight, and cargo damage costs by employing flag car services; if you are new to the transport industry and want to know how to use flag car escort services,  then consult the guide below to help you get your pick.

Check For Regulation Compliance

Transporting heavy cargo poses a lot of threat; hence, the local authorities impose rules to prevent possible damage and accidents. When exploring various pilot car services, make sure they follow all the rules and regulations related to heavy-weight cargo transport. 

Also, when you buy flag car services in Indiana, check for a valid Commercial Driver’s License or Indiana chauffeur license; he must be 18 or older. Pilot car drivers must always have their permits with them to present them to the police on request.

Check Reviews And Referrals

Google pages often have several reviews from those who have used the services. Check those reviews to ensure you choose the right pilot car service provider. 

However, contact people in the same industry for a referral to become more knowledgeable. People will likely give referrals based on their good or bad experiences; hence, it’s the safest and most cost-effective way to hire professional flag car services. 

Types of Services

The most suitable pilot car service provider is the one that offers all the related services, such as a high pole, chase car, and Route survey services, under one roof. One such proficient pilot car service provider you can trust is 365 Pilots, which offers quality flag car services in Indiana. 

When you have found the perfect service provider, you can move on to selecting the right pilot car that suits your business needs.

Selecting The Pilot Car

There are several things to remember when selecting the right pilot car for your cargo fleet. The companies have many options ranging from luxury sedans to SUVs; the budget and the business needs are the critical factors in choosing the pilot car. 

Take quotes of the same pilot cars for a specific journey from different service providers. Then, you can compare the quotes to get the best prices. Moreover, additional charges can drastically add to your transportation cost; hence, inquire about additional charges for delays or extra stops.

Make a Reservation For Your Delivery Time

Book a pilot car in advance if you have a particular time slot for transporting your heavy cargo load. You should check the availability of your desired car to save from any last-minute trouble. 

Furthermore, some flag car services in Indiana offer varying charges for day and night services, including motel and other overhead costs. If you are on a low budget, you can choose the best time for transportation that includes lesser overhead charges.

Inquire About Cancellation Policy

Although you may never want to cancel a pilot car under such circumstances, you should know the cancellation policy. Inquire the pilot car service provider about their cancellation policy so that you can safeguard the company’s integrity and costs.

Use of Monitoring Devices To Supervise The Drivers

A handy tool you can use to track the journey of your cargo freight is monitoring devices. These devices keep track of the speed, location, and potential blockages on the route of the oversized vehicle. 

Tracking devices commonly include GPS trackers, hazard warning systems, and speed monitors. All these things have different functions and help the pilot car driver in various ways. GPS trackers locate the position of the cargo vehicle speed monitor its speed so that it doesn’t exceed the appropriate limit. 

Using sensors, a hazard warning system warns the flag car driver of ongoing traffic congestion, low bridges, and other potential hazards. Other connecting devices such as cell phones and radios can also be used to stay connected with the driver and make the transport process smooth.

Effective Communication With The Driver

There should be effective communication between the pilot car driver and freight driver to stay in touch throughout the transportation process. The pilot car driver should use the communicating devices to notify the fleet driver about possible blockages, alternate routes, traffic conditions,n and more. 

Thus, the pilot car driver must be a good communicator. The cost-effective two-way communication devices commonly used by Indiana flag car services are two-way radios and mobile phones. If the cargo delivered is prone to high risk to human health, businesses might want to spend more on communication devices. 

Inspect The fleet Vehicle

The fleet vehicle should be in good shape as it’s an essential asset for the business. Also, cargo transportation depends on these vehicles; therefore, they must undergo an inspection process for maintenance. The pilot car drivers should do a thorough inspection to give the go-ahead to the fleet vehicles for heavy cargo transportation.

Plan The Route

The pilot car driver and the vehicle driver should always discuss the route beforehand so that they are aware of the possible consequences. An alternate route should also be addressed, as it’s safety, so you always have a plan B in an emergency or an accident.

Final Words.

When transporting overweight cargo, the pilot car is always ahead or behind the fleet vehicle to guide the way. However, it’s not as simple as it may seem; the experienced pilot car driver must always keep his eyes open and respond immediately to anything unusual on the route. 

Conclusion

So the above guide for flag car services in Indiana gives you an idea of how they work and what steps you should consider to use them best. There are several pilot car service providers, but if you are looking for a certified and professional option, then 365 Pilots is the one you should try. You can easily book our services through our website at competitive prices.