The 2.9 Metre Threshold
Under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 and the Special Types General Order (STGO) 2003, any vehicle carrying a load wider than 2.9m (9ft 6in) is classed as an abnormal load. That triggers a cascade of legal requirements that the haulier — and you as the customer — need to know about.
A standard single-section park home is often 12ft (3.66m) wide. A twin-unit half is typically 12ft to 16ft (3.66m to 4.88m). Every one of those needs escort and notification — there is no exception for short distances or quiet roads.
What Counts as "Escort"
An escort vehicle in this context is not a friend driving behind you with a hazard light. It is a vehicle that meets specific legal requirements:
- Roof-mounted beacons — amber rotating or flashing, visible from front and rear.
- "Long Load" or "Wide Load" signage — front and rear, on a board large enough to read from 50m.
- Two-way communication with the haulage vehicle driver — usually VHF radio.
- Driver training — most professional escort drivers hold a recognised industry qualification (e.g. the CSCS abnormal-load escort card).
A magnet-on roof beacon and a paper sign in the back window does not meet the requirement. Police forces will stop a non-compliant convoy and require you to wait for proper escort to arrive.
How Many Escort Vehicles Do You Need?
The number depends on load width:
| Load Width | Notification | Escort Vehicles | |---|---|---| | 2.9m – 3.5m | Notify police 2 working days before | 1 escort vehicle (rear) | | 3.5m – 4.3m | Notify police 2 working days before | 1 escort (front + rear if dual carriageway) | | 4.3m – 5.0m | Notify police 5 working days before | 2 escorts (front + rear) | | Over 5.0m | Notify police 5 working days before | Police escort may be required |
For most twin-unit moves you are in the 3.66m to 4.88m range, which means 2 working days notice and 2 escort vehicles per half — front and rear.
Notifying the Police
Notification is not optional and it is not casual. You (or your haulier) must submit form ESDAL (Electronic Service Delivery for Abnormal Loads) at least 2 clear working days before the move (5 days for the widest loads).
ESDAL goes to every police force whose area you cross. Each force can object to or vary the route — they may require travel only outside peak hours, escorted by their own traffic officers, or routed around specific junctions.
Skipping ESDAL is an offence under the Road Vehicles Construction and Use Regulations. Convictions carry fines and licence points — for the operator and the driver.
Lighting Requirements
Beyond the escort vehicles themselves, the load itself must be marked:
- Side marker boards along the widest part of the load, retro-reflective
- Amber side-marker lamps if the load extends more than 305mm from the bodywork
- End marker boards on the rear of the load if it overhangs more than 1m
For lodges and park homes, the unit's own structure usually exceeds the bodywork limits — meaning side markers are needed for the whole length of the move.
What Happens If You Skip It
A non-compliant abnormal-load movement can result in:
- Police stop and "Form HORT/1" prohibition notice
- Fixed-penalty fine on the driver
- Insurance void if there is a collision
- Operator licence consequences for the haulier
Worst case, if there is an injury collision and the move was not properly notified or escorted, the operator and customer can face prosecution under section 40A of the Road Traffic Act.
The Bottom Line
If your unit is wider than 2.9m — and almost any park home, lodge or twin-unit half is — escort is legally required, not optional. The cost of doing it properly is a fraction of the cost of doing it wrong. A reputable transport operator will price this in by default. If a quote omits escort costs, that's not a saving; it's a red flag.
When in doubt, ask your transporter to send you their ESDAL submission for your specific move. A legitimate operator will share it without hesitation.