Pilot car driving isn't necessarily a job you hear a lot about, but it's an important
one nonetheless.
They help keep everyone on the road safe when wide-body trucks are carrying massive loads,
which could be things like aircraft parts and mobile homes.
Pilot car drivers typically travel in front of or behind these trucks and are equipped
with things like flashing lights and sirens to alert traffic and clear a path.
Becoming a pilot car driver isn't a very difficult thing to do, and you may be surprised at how
flexible and lucrative this job can really be.
Plus, it takes little to no experience to get started - in many parts of the United
States, you don't even need to hold a high school diploma.
And contrary to what you might think, you can do this gig without having to seek out
full-time employment - which means you may get to make your own schedule as an independent
contractor.
All things considered, this is one of the best, little-known side hustles out there.
As long as you have a driver’s license and a desire to make some money on the side, stay
tuned to learn how you can get started as a pilot car driver.
Pilot Car Driver Gig Basics As mentioned, as a pilot car driver, it will
be your responsibility to escort trucks carrying oversized freight to their destinations.
The duties you will be expected to perform will vary, but generally speaking, you can
expect to alert other drivers of an upcoming load while surveying the road ahead - and
communicating with the truck driver via radio to warn them of potential obstacles and hazards.
Pilot cars are fitted with bright neon signs, flashing lights, flags, and sometimes a siren
system.
This kind of equipment is required by the state to be used on pilot vehicles at all
times.
Since safety is the name of the game, you'll frequently see pilot cars tailing behind the
oversized load in order to alert approaching drivers of the situation.
It might be seen as overkill, but considering that even the slightest mistake can lead to
disastrous consequences, there’s no such thing as too safe here.
And because the job is so necessary for safety, you’ll be compensated quite well for your
time.
Pilot Car Driver Pay There isn't really a simple answer to how
much you can make as a pilot car driver.
It will largely depend on what route you choose to take when getting started, as it can vary
state by state and company by company.
Plus, you can either work for an established company or for yourself.
Since almost all you need to do the job are a valid driver's license, a reliable vehicle,
and some basic training, it’s not hard to do this for yourself as an independent contractor.
If you accept a job with a pilot car company, you can expect to make around $34,000 a year
on average.
Working for yourself, however, gives you much more potential to control your income and
your work schedule, but it can take a bit more time to get started.
Independent pilot car drivers typically earn around $200 for the first 100 to 150 miles.
After that, they make an additional $1.30 to $1.50 per mile.
According to Payscale.com, the average pilot car driver earns about $16.34 an hour.
While this might seem a little low, it's worth noting that you'll usually be compensated
for things like fuel, food, and lodging.
Companies that don't offer a stipend for these expenses tend to pay more to make up for it.
Some more experienced pilot car drivers report making upwards of $30 to $40 an hour so that
$16 an hour figure applies mainly to those just getting started in the industry.
The top ten percent of full-time pilot car drivers earn roughly $100,000 a year, while
the bottom ten percent make as little as 30 grand.
As we mentioned earlier, there is no salary cap for pilot car drivers, so as long as there
are trucks on the road, you can do as much – or as little – work as you want.
Pilot Car Driver Requirements Different states have different sets of rules
and regulations for pilot car drivers.
At the very least, you'll need to hold a valid driver's license, be at least 18 years of
age (or 21 in some states), carry vehicle liability insurance, and speak fluent English.
Beyond that, you might need to take a defensive driving course.
Some companies also require their drivers to hold a class A, B, or C commercial driver's
license.
Most states don't require pilot car drivers to get any kind of special certification,
but as of 2022, 12 states require pilot car drivers to obtain certification by taking
a one-day course and passing a written exam.
The Pros And Cons There are quite a few selling points that
make becoming a pilot car driver a great side hustle.
The number one would probably be having a ton of control over your income and getting
to make your own hours by choosing which assignments you want to do.
Plus, driving a pilot vehicle can be very rewarding.
A lot of drivers report feeling a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction after helping
escort a large load safely to its destination.
It's also a fairly straightforward gig that only requires you to drive around and keep
the truck drivers up to speed about road conditions and hazards.
If you enjoy long drives, it could be a great fit for you.
And if you choose to take on long-haul assignments, you'll get to see parts of the nation that
you likely wouldn't have otherwise.
In this way, driving a pilot car can be a great way to earn a living while maintaining
a somewhat nomadic lifestyle.
But, there are a few negatives to consider, too.
Since you'll likely be using your personal vehicle for work, this means you'll be putting
a lot of wear and tear on your car.
If you end up accepting work from a company that doesn't compensate for repairs and fuel,
this can add up quickly.
After all, you'll be racking up a ton of miles as a pilot car driver.
Not only will your vehicle take a beating on long-haul trips, but your body might as
well.
Pilot car drivers spend long hours sitting down.
Sitting in one position for long periods has been proven to lead to adverse health effects,
and can take a serious toll if you’re putting in long hours for many consecutive days or
weeks.
Of course, you can counter this by getting in some physical activity, such as weight
lifting or stretching, during your off-hours.
The last major con of working as a pilot car driver has to do with the fact that work is
only available when there is a need.
Unless you live near a highly populated area with lots of transportation companies, it
may be difficult for you to find assignments during certain times of the week, month or
year.
How to Get Started If you don't intend to work for a pre-existing
pilot car company and instead want to start your own, first things first, you'll want
to familiarize yourself with the local and state regulations for pilot car drivers.
This is where you'll want to determine what the age requirement is in your state if you're
under 21 and find out what kind of commercial driver's license you'll need if any.
Check with your State Department of Transportation to figure out if you'll need any special training
or certifications.
Even if they don't require these things, you might want to consider opting for training
to learn all of the latest industry standards and best practices.
Not only will this knowledge equip you to be a better pilot car driver, but it will
also inspire confidence in your clients.
Next, you'll want to decide what vehicle you'll be using.
Vehicles should be at least 2,000 pounds with a 360-degree viewing radius from the driver's
seat.
After you've determined what vehicle you'll be using, you'll need to equip it with the
proper safety equipment required by your state.
This involves fitting your vehicle with things like warning signs, flashing amber lights,
and safety flags.
As far as insurance goes, you'll need to acquire at least commercial auto coverage.
This step is non-negotiable as all states require it.
You should also have pretty decent liability insurance regardless of whether your state
requires it.
Last but not least, you'll need to obtain a work permit.
Since you'll be running your own business, this permit legally allows you to work as
a pilot car driver in your state.
After you've checked all of those items off your list, it's time to find clients.
To do this, you'll need to network with trucking companies in your area in order to build your
name and reputation.
If you know anyone that has worked as a pilot car driver before, ask them to give you advice
and hook you up with connections.
A great resource to sign up for real-time job alerts for pilot car drivers is pilotcarloads.com.
Simply set up an account, download the app, and you'll receive live notifications whenever
pilot driver jobs are available.
Get Paid to Drive Becoming a pilot car driver might not be the
right gig for everyone, but if you're someone that wants to set their own hours while getting
paid to travel, it's definitely worth looking into.
Of course, it’s not the only way you can get paid to drive.
Be sure to check out our videos on car wrap advertising and building a turo car rental
business for other ways to make money on the side with your vehicle.
We’ll see you in the next video!