OVERVIEW
PERMITS: Louisana oversize permits are can be ordered for the number of days needed (usually one to three days). Must have permit prior to entering the state. Overweight permits are valid for 4 days.
OPERATING TIME: Sunrise to sunset seven days a week. Overweight only and not over 65′ overall length may have continuous travel.
RESTRICTED TRAVEL: Permit loads may not cross any bridge spanning the Mississippi River in the New Orleans area or be within 2 miles of such bridge from 6:30 am – 9:00 am and from 3:30 pm – 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Loads over 12′ wide may not travel on the Interstate system through Shreveport, Monroe, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans from 7:00 am – 9:00 am and from 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The restricted areas are detailed on the permit and on the provision sheets. Vehicles and loads over 14′ wide may not travel on Interstate highways in Louisiana except for fiberglass swimming pools, tanks, boats and mobile homes (special restrictions apply). No travel on major holidays and in certain areas on Mardi Gras.
LEGAL DIMENSIONS
Length:
- 59′-6″ trailer or load on Interstate and designated highways
- 65′ truck and trailer on other highways
Overhang: 4′ front, 8′ rear (over 59′-6″ length of load on trailer needs permit on all roads.)
Width: 8′-6″ Interstate and designated roads, 8′ on non-designated.
Height:
- 13′-6″ on non-designated roads
- 14′ on designated highways
Weight: 80,000 Gross (with a Tridem axle, 83,400 on Interstate & 88,000 non-Interstate if licensed for it)
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
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
- Single – 24,000 if GVW is 120,000 pounds or less, 20,000 if GVW exceeds 120,000 pounds
- Tandem – 48,000 if GVW is up to 120,000 pounds; but 45,000 if it exceeds 120,000 pounds
- Tridem – 60,000
Vehicles must be registered for 88,000 to run with overweight permit.
Steer axle cannot exceed 13,000 pounds if tandem exceeds 40,000 pounds and gross weight exceeds 120,000 pounds.
Loads exceeding these dimensions or with GVW exceeding 232,000 pounds are considered as Super Loads.
ESCORTS
Length:
- Over 90′ – one escort
- Over 125′ – State Police Escort
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).
- City of New Orleans (non-Interstate) – Police Escort needed if not on Interstate and:
- Width over 12′
- Height over 13′-6″
- Length over 90′
When hauling an overweight dozer, the blade or side boom may be removed and hauled on the same vehicle. For other equipment such as excavators, pieces (buckets, forks, etc.) that do not weigh more than 500 pounds can be removed and shipped on the same load.
Signs, Flags, and Lights: “Oversize Load” signs are required for all loads exceeding 10′ wide, over 75′ long or exceeding legal overhang. Flags are required on all over width loads. Flags must be placed on all four corners of the load and at any protrusions. Over-length must be flagged, no sign requirements. Rear overhang over 4′ must be flagged. NO sign or flag requirements for height only.