Oversize / Overweight Permits in Louisiana

Louisiana Oversize/Overweight Regulations

According to Louisiana law, any load exceeding the following weight and size limits is considered an oversize/overweight load:

Legal Size Limit:

Width: 8′ 6″ (from the outside points of the widest extremities, excluding safety devices)
Height: 14′ (from the roadbed to the highest point of the load or vehicle, whichever is higher)
Length: 65′ (from the foremost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further, to the rearmost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further)
Overhang: 4′ and 8′ for the front and rear respectively

Legal Weight Limit:

Maximum gross weight: 80,000 lb. (including the weight of the load)
Maximum gross weight for quadrum :88,000 lb.
Maximum gross weight for quadrum on interstate roads:83,000 lb.
Single axle: 20,000 lb.
Tandem axle: 34,000 lb.
Tridem axle: 42,000 lb.
Quadrum axle: 50,000 lb.

Louisiana Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits

A general single-trip permit is issued for non-divisible oversize loads that exceed the legal limitation on length, width, height, or projecting loads. It covers one movement from point A to point B during the running times specified in the permit.

Notes:

Overlength-only vehicle combinations, excluding mobile homes, hauling the same load all day may make more than one (1) trip per day. Only one trip is permitted if the load is additionally overwidth or overweight.
Not overweight mobile homes may be issued with a consecutive 72-hour permit.

For more details:

http://wwwsp.dotd.la.gov/Business/LaGeaux_Docs/Rules%20and%20Regulations.pdf

Louisiana Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits

To obtain an annual permit, a load must meet the following requirements:

maximum length – 90′
maximum width – 12′
maximum height – 14′ 4″
overhang – up to 25′
maximum gross weight – 80.000 lbs

A fee ranges from $500 (for oversize only) to over $2500 (for both oversize and overweight vehicles and combinations).

Annual permits for motor homes and manufacturing housing are not allowed.

Louisiana Wide Load Requirements

All loads wider than 8′ 6″ require an oversized permit issued by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.

Oversize Load Flag Requirements:

All front and rear extremities of oversized loads must be marked with clean bright red 18″ square flags.

Oversize Load Sign Requirements:

Vehicles transporting oversize loads must be equipped with an “oversize load” banner on the front and back. It must be 7′ long and 10″ high with black letters on the yellow background.

Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:

2 amber lights at the widest points of the front edges; must be visible from the sides, front, and rear
2 red lights at the widest points of the rear edges; must be visible from the sides and rear
1 amber light for any part of the vehicle or load wider than than the front or rear edges; must be visible from the sides, front, and rear
if the overwidth part is at or near the rear of the vehicle, the light may be red; must be visible from the sides, front, and rear
overlength loads or with rear end overhangs of more than 4′ must have a red light on each side
2 red lights (one on each side) and 2 red reflectors (one on each side) must be located on the rear of the vehicle or load to indicate the maximum width of the overlength or projecting part.

Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:

private escort vehicles with a Louisiana approved permit for 12′-16′ wide and 90′-125′ long loads and vehicles
one vehicle may escort 2 overlength loads and vehicles, but only 1 overwidth vehicle or load
state police escorts for over 16′ wide loads on 2-lane and more highways; longer than 125′ loads and vehicles must be equipped with a steerable dolly
wide or higher than 18′ loads must be escorted with one front and one rear escort vehicle

Note: City police escort requirements may vary from city to city.

Louisiana Wide Load Restrictions

All loads wider than 8′ 6″ are subject to the following restrictions:

Oversize Holiday Restrictions:

Oversize loads or vehicles must be within 2 miles of bridges spanning the Mississippi at 6:30 – 9:00 am and 3:30 – 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:

Most oversize vehicles are prohibited from traveling from sunset to sunrise. However, in some cases, they can be permitted to move at night, during moderate rain, or on holidays.

Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:

Louisiana does not provide specific bridge restrictions as the Federal Bridge Formula determines them.

Note: Some bridges can be marked with the maximum allowed weight sign that differs to the Federal Bridge Formula limits.

Oversize Seasonal Weight Restrictions:

While the Frost Law is applied in many states and provinces of Canada, no specific seasonal restrictions are provided by the state of Louisiana. However, they may appear in Louisiana oversize load permits, arising from the nature and type of the load.

Louisiana Wide Load Limits

Louisiana sticks to the Federal legal width limit of 8′ 6″. Everything wider requires a permit to be moved on public roads.

Maximum Load Limits Until a Trucking Permit IS Required:

8′ 6″ (from the outside points of the widest extremities, excluding safety devices)

Axle Weight Limits:

Legal axle weight limit:

single axle – 20,000 lbs
tandem axle (at least 40″ between axles) – 34,000 lbs
triple axle (at least 40″ between axles) – 42,000 lbs
quadrum axle (at least 40″ between axles) – 50,000 lbs

Legal axle weight limit on non-interstate highways:

single axle – 22,000 lbs
tandem axle (at least 40″ between axles) – 37,000 lbs
triple axle (at least 40″ between axles) – 45,000 lbs
quadrum axle (at least 40″ between axles) – 50,000 lbs

The maximum permitted axle weight limit:

single axle – 24,000 lbs (gross weight doesn’t exceed 120,000 pounds, otherwise 20,000 lbs)
tandem axle – 48,000 lbs (gross weight doesn’t exceed 120,000 pounds, otherwise 40,000 lbs)
triple axle – 60,000 lbs

Oversize Tire Regulations:

Tires must be in normal operating condition, properly inflated, and feature the minimum tread depth of 2/32″.

Tires must not feature protuberances of any material other than rubber unless their use is required for safety.

Louisiana Trip Permits

The state of Louisiana issues a 48-hour permit at the cost of $50. All trucks properly registered in another state are eligible for this permit.

Louisiana Fuel Permits

Louisiana is a member of the International Fuel Tax Agreement. Gasoline tax is $0.20 per gallon. There is also a one-time application fee of $35.00.

Louisiana Specialty Permits

The need for special permits may arise from your load’s nature, size, and weight.

Containerized Special Cargo Permit:

This type of permit is for vehicles transporting sealed containerized cargo (containerboard, kraft liner, or roll pulp) for export only and for one-way hauls from Pineville, Louisiana and New Orleans, Louisiana. To obtain the permit, the vehicle must have up to five axles at a total gross weight not to exceed 90,000 pounds with a tandem axle weight not to exceed 40,000 pounds.

For more information about specialty permits:

http://wwwsp.dotd.la.gov/Business/LaGeaux_Docs/Rules%20and%20Regulations.pdf

Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Louisiana

Oversize and overweight fines in Louisiana start at $100 for the first offense and can reach over $10000. Their size depends on the weight exceeding the maximum legal weight and the number of offenses since the first one within a year.

Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Louisiana

The cost of Louisiana OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, its nature, and its excessive weight and size. It starts at $10 per day and can exceed several thousand dollars for an annual permit.

You may also be charged an application fee for processing your permit request.

Trucking Permit Service

Express Permits provides a full spectrum of trucking permit services, assisting motor carriers in obtaining the appropriate oversize and overweight permits, coordinating with authorities, and ensuring compliance with state regulations, saving valuable time, effort, and potential penalties. You can rely on us regardless of your load’s type, nature, and destination.