The following information about Louisiana Oversize Permits is for informational purposes only. It’s important to always read your permits and provisions sheets carefully as we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided. If you have any questions or need assistance, you can contact the following number.

Louisiana DOT #: 800-654-1433

Louisiana Oversize Permits Duration

Louisiana oversize permits can be ordered for the required number of days, typically ranging from one to three days. It is essential to obtain the permit before entering the state. Overweight permits, on the other hand, are valid for four days.

Operating Time

Sunrise to sunset, seven days a week, is the allowed travel window. Continuous travel is permitted for overweight-only loads that do not exceed an overall length of 65 feet.

Restricted Travel in Louisiana

For permit loads, there are restrictions on crossing any bridge spanning the Mississippi River in the New Orleans area or being within 2 miles of such a bridge from 6:30 am to 9:00 am and from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Additionally, loads over 12 feet wide are prohibited from traveling on the Interstate system through Shreveport, Monroe, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans from 7:00 am to 9:00 am and from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The restricted areas are specified on the permit and provision sheets. Vehicles and loads over 14 feet wide are not allowed to travel on Interstate highways in Louisiana, except for fiberglass swimming pools, tanks, boats, and mobile homes (special restrictions apply). No travel is permitted on major holidays and in certain areas on Mardi Gras.

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Call (832) 454-5883 For Permit Consultation

Legal Dimensions for Louisiana Oversize Permits

Length:

  • 59′-6″ trailer or load on Interstate and designated highways
  • 65′ truck and trailer on other highways

Overhang:

For loads with a length over 59 feet 6 inches on the trailer, a permit is required on all roads. Additionally, there should be a front overhang of 4 feet and a rear overhang of 8 feet.

Width:

8′-6″ Interstate and designated roads, 8′ on non-designated.

Height:

  • 13′-6″ on non-designated roads
  • 14′ on designated highways

Weight:

The gross weight allowance is 80,000 pounds. If equipped with a Tridem axle, the weight limit is 83,400 pounds on Interstate routes and 88,000 pounds on non-Interstate routes, provided the vehicle is licensed for this weight.

Interstate highway system:

  • Single – 20,000
  • Tandem – 34,000
  • Tridem – 42,000
  • Quad – 50,000

Non-Interstate highways:

  • Single – 20,000
  • Tandem – 37,000
  • Tridem – 45,000
  • Quad – 53,000

Routine Permit Limits in Louisiana

Length:

125′

Width:

18′

Height:

16′-6″

Weight:

  • Gross Weights
  • 5 axles – 108,000
  • 6 axles – 120,000
  • 7 axles – 132,000
  • 8 axles – 152,000
  • * Vehicles must be registered for 88,000 lbs to run with overweight permits.
  • Axle Weights
  • For a single axle, the weight limit is 24,000 pounds if the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is 120,000 pounds or less. If the GVW exceeds 120,000 pounds, the weight limit for a single axle is 20,000 pounds.
  • For a tandem axle, the weight limit is 48,000 pounds if the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is up to 120,000 pounds. However, if the GVW exceeds 120,000 pounds, the weight limit for a tandem axle is reduced to 45,000 pounds.
  • Tridem – 60,000

To operate with an overweight permit, vehicles must be registered for 88,000 pounds. Additionally, if the tandem axle exceeds 40,000 pounds and the gross weight exceeds 120,000 pounds, the steer axle cannot exceed 13,000 pounds.

Loads exceeding these dimensions or with GVW exceeding 232,000 pounds are considered as Super Loads.

Louisiana Oversize Permits image

Escort Requirements for Louisiana  Oversize Load PermitsRTS

Length:

Width:

  • Over 12′ – one escort
  • Over 16′ – State Police Escort on 2-lane or multi-lane highways

Height:

  • Over 15′-10″ may requires height pole off interstate
  • Over 16′-6″ may require escort (depends on routes).
  • In the City of New Orleans on non-Interstate roads, a police escort is required unless the route is on Interstate 10.and:
    • Width over 12′
    • Height over 13′-6″
    • Length over 90′

Miscellaneous

When transporting an overweight dozer, it is permissible to remove the blade or side boom and haul it on the same vehicle. For other equipment, such as excavators, pieces such as buckets or forks that do not weigh more than 500 pounds can be detached and transported on the same load.

Signs, Flags & Lights for Louisiana Oversize Load Permits

Oversize Load” signs are necessary for all loads exceeding 10 feet in width, over 75 feet in length, or exceeding legal overhang. Flags are mandatory for all over-width loads and should be positioned on all four corners of the load and at any protrusions. Over-length loads must be flagged, but there are no sign requirements. Rear overhang exceeding 4 feet must be flagged. There are no sign or flag requirements for height only.