pilot cars are they required to have a cdl ?

No, but in some states they do to steer.
Depending on states you operating in they may need to be certified.

 

99% of them I use don't have CDLs. The one I have run with for 15 years does not have a CDL.
In Kansas it qualifies you to escort a super load.

 

What states are you planning to run through? And do you have a pilot car in mind? It seems to be difficult to find a good one. For multiple runs, he/she has to be good, otherwise you just pop a fuse. Seems like most of them can just concentrate for 1 day, then become scatterbrained.

 

Most of them that I hire that are not my regulars are idiots, sometimes I wonder how they find their way home.

 

Why they use their GPS,,,, LOL

 

To answer the OP, no they do not need to have a CDL but in a lot of states they need to be certified. I have looked into this and it looks like if they are Utah certified it is recognized in every state except New York. The thing that you have to research is what equipment is required for each state. Some want 18" cones and some want 24" and yet others have no cone requirement.

Some states they can run with a oversized banner on the front bumper. Some states they want it mounted on the top of the vehicle. Others, like Montana, they must have the sign visible front and back. One of our front cars almost got a ticket for only having the sign on the front instead of front and back.

There are a lot of regulations specific to pilot cars. It is also helpful if they carry a slip tank. Ours either carry gas for the pilot truck or we have one that carries diesel. Mainly because that truck is also used for filling our loaders and such.