Louisiana permits
Louisiana Oversize Permit Rules
Legal limits, escorts, pole trucks, bucket trucks, curfews and travel rules for oversize and overweight loads in Louisiana, each checked against the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
Last checked: Oct 1, 2026
This page is general information only, not legal advice and not a permit. Rules change often and each state's permit and official rules are the final word. Always confirm limits, escorts, routes and travel times with the state permit office before moving a load. Reliable Transport LLC is not responsible for decisions made using this information.
- Legal size
- 8'6"W, 13'6"H (14'H on interstates), 80,000 lbs
- Escorts start
- Over 12'W or 90'L
- Travel
- Sunrise to sunset
Hauling through other states? Use our permit map and route planner
Open the route plannerLA DOTD permits
How Louisiana sizes up a heavy load
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LA DOTD) Truck Permit Office issues oversize and overweight permits for Louisiana state highways, through its LaGeaux system. These are the numbers we plan every Louisiana load with. Run your exact load and route through our permit tool to see every state on the trip.
Check your load
Enter your width, height, length and weight in our permit tool to see the Louisiana rules and every other state on your route, each with its official source.
Louisiana limits
Louisiana legal limits and permit thresholds
Over any legal limit, the load needs an LA DOTD oversize or overweight permit.
Louisiana legal size, weight and permits
Official sources linked| Rule | Limit |
|---|---|
| Legal width | 8'6"W (102") (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026), La. R.S. 32:380, width) |
| Legal height | 13'6"H; 14'H on interstate highways (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026), La. R.S. 32:381, height) |
| Legal length | 59'6" semitrailer and load on designated truck routes; 65' combination on other highways; 45' single vehicle (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026), La. R.S. 32:382, length) |
| Legal weight | 80,000 lbs gross, subject to axle weights (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026), La. R.S. 32:386, weight) |
| Permit needed | Over any legal size: an LA DOTD oversize permit. Over legal weight: a single trip overweight permit, which also covers the oversize dimensions listed on it. Ordered through LaGeaux or the Truck Permit Office (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026), LA DOTD oversize and overweight truck permits) |
| Oversize permit trips | An oversize load that is also over width or over height gets one trip a day per permit (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026)) Check with the state. |
| Permitted axle weights | Single axle 24,000 lbs (20,000 lbs over 120,000 lbs gross), tandem 48,000 lbs (45,000 or 40,000 lbs over 120,000 lbs gross), tridem 60,000 lbs (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026)) |
| Insurance | Permit loads need a certificate of insurance of at least $100,000 on file; escort vehicles need $500,000 each of general liability, motor vehicle and workers' compensation coverage (LA DOTD oversize and overweight truck permits, LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026)) |
Escorts
Louisiana escort requirements
Private escorts up to 16'W and 125'L, State Police above that, plus pole trucks and bucket trucks for tall loads.
Louisiana escorts by load size
Official sources linked| Load | Escorts |
|---|---|
| Over 12'W, up to 16'W | 1 private escort: in front on a two lane highway, behind on a multi lane highway (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026), LAC 73:I.309, permit restrictions) |
| Over 90'L, up to 125'L | 1 private escort, behind the load (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026), LAC 73:I.309, permit restrictions) |
| Over 16'W | State Police escort (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026), LAC 73:I.309, permit restrictions) |
| Over 125'L | State Police escort. Check with the state. LA DOTD's book also calls for a steerable or trackable dolly on the trailer. (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026), LAC 73:I.309, permit restrictions) |
| Over 18'W | Front and rear State Police escorts, and the DOTD district maintenance engineer must approve the move. Check with the state. (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026), LAC 73:I.309, permit restrictions) |
| Over 15'10"H | Pole truck with a height indicator in front, on state highways; interstate only trips are exempt (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026)) |
| Over 16'8"H | Pole truck that can safely lift utility lines, in front. Check with the state. (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026)) |
| Over 18'H | Bucket trucks, and the carrier contacts each DOTD district on the route first. Check with the state. (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026)) |
Every private escort needs a Louisiana escort vehicle permit ($10 a year, expiring December 31). One escort can cover two over length loads but only one over width load. On a multi lane highway, a load that needs both an escort and a pole truck runs with the escort behind and the pole truck in front.
Height and routes
Pole trucks, flags and signs
What Louisiana asks of tall, wide and long loads.
Pole trucks
Over 15'10"H, a pole truck with a height indicator runs in front on state highways; over 16'8"H, one that can lift utility lines. (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026)) Check with the state.
Loads over 18'H
Before the permit, the carrier contacts each DOTD district on the route; route surveys and cost estimates need four working days' notice. (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026)) Check with the state.
OVERSIZE LOAD signs
Over 10'W, one sign on the front of the vehicle and one on the rear of the load. Over the legal length or rear overhang, signs on the sides of the overhang. Signs are at least 7' by 18" with 10" black letters on yellow. (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026), LAC 73:I.309, permit restrictions)
Flags
Red or fluorescent orange flags at least 18" square: four at the widest points of an over width load, and at the rear of an over length load or a rear overhang over 4'. (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026), LAC 73:I.309, permit restrictions)
Travel times
Travel hours, nights, weekends and holidays
When a permitted load may move in Louisiana.
Daylight
Permit loads move from sunrise to sunset, as set by the National Weather Service. No night moves. (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026), LAC 73:I.309, permit restrictions)
Small permit loads
Loads that do not project past the vehicle, at legal width and length, up to 14'4"H and 120,000 lbs, are usually not held back at night, on holidays or in moderate weather. (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026), LAC 73:I.309, permit restrictions)
Interstate rush hours
Over 12'W, no weekday interstate travel 7 to 9 a.m. or 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on listed sections in Shreveport, Monroe, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge and New Orleans. (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026)) Check with the state.
New Orleans bridges
No permit vehicle may cross, or be within two miles of, a Mississippi River bridge in New Orleans 6:30 to 9 a.m. or 3:30 to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026), LAC 73:I.309, permit restrictions)
New Orleans streets
Over 12'W, no travel in the city 7 to 9 a.m. or 3:30 to 6 p.m. on weekdays, except on interstates and US 90 Business between the Crescent City Connection and I 10. (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026)) Check with the state.
Baton Rouge bridge
Over 8'6"W, 14'4"H, 70'L or 120,000 lbs, or with a projecting load: no crossing the US 190 Mississippi River bridge 6:30 to 9 a.m. or 3:30 to 6 p.m. on weekdays. (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026)) Check with the state.
Interstates
Over 14'W, no interstate travel. (LAC 73:I.309, permit restrictions) Check with the state.
Weather and holidays
No moves in severe weather (heavy rain, fog, ice, snow or low visibility); wet roads, light drizzle and wind do not count unless the move would be a hazard. No moves on certain designated holidays; LA DOTD does not list the dates, so check your permit. (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026), LAC 73:I.309, permit restrictions)
Superloads
Louisiana superload
LA DOTD does not publish one superload size. Over 232,000 lbs on non designated highways, or 254,000 lbs on any highway, the permit request needs detailed information four to six weeks ahead, and over 900,000 lbs it may need an outside engineering analysis. LA DOTD's permit page says superloads currently take up to 6 to 8 weeks. (LA DOTD truck regulations book (2026), LA DOTD oversize and overweight truck permits)
See how we plan the biggest loads on our Superload Transport page.
Our moves
Heavy loads we have moved
150,000 lb transformer
A 150,000 lb transformer from Pocatello, ID to Akron, OH.
Read the move →207,000 lb dryer drum
A 207,000 lb dryer drum from Louisville, KY to Richmond, VA.
Read the move →Moving a load in Louisiana?
Send the dimensions and weight. We file the Louisiana permit and plan the escorts.
Request a quote →See every move on our Moves page.
Sources
Official Louisiana sources
Every rule on this page is taken from the LA DOTD pages and rule text below and confirmed by a second source. Where we could not confirm a rule twice, the page says to check with the state. Rules change, and the permit itself always decides. Last checked: Oct 1, 2026.
Questions
Louisiana permit questions
What are the legal size and weight limits in Louisiana?
8'6"W, 13'6"H (14'H on interstates), a 59'6" semitrailer on designated truck routes (65' overall on other highways) and 80,000 lbs gross. Anything bigger or heavier needs an LA DOTD permit.
When does Louisiana require escorts?
Over 12'W up to 16'W, or over 90'L up to 125'L: 1 private escort. Over 16'W or 125'L: a State Police escort. Over 18'W: front and rear State Police escorts.
Where does the escort run in Louisiana?
For a wide load, in front on a two lane highway and behind on a multi lane highway. For a long load, behind the load on every highway.
When does Louisiana require a pole truck?
Over 15'10"H, a pole truck with a height indicator runs in front on state highways (interstate only trips are exempt). Over 16'8"H, it must be able to lift utility lines, and over 18'H, bucket trucks go with the load.
Can oversize loads move at night in Louisiana?
Generally no. Permit loads move from sunrise to sunset. Loads at legal width and length, up to 14'4"H and 120,000 lbs, that do not project past the vehicle are usually the exception.
Which Louisiana cities have rush hour bans?
Over 12'W, weekday interstate travel stops 7 to 9 a.m. and 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in parts of Shreveport, Monroe, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The New Orleans Mississippi River bridges are closed to permit loads 6:30 to 9 a.m. and 3:30 to 6 p.m. on weekdays.
Can wide loads use Louisiana interstates?
Not over 14'W. Loads over 14'W are routed off the interstate system.
How long does a Louisiana superload permit take?
Over 232,000 lbs on non designated highways or 254,000 lbs on any highway, LA DOTD asks for the request four to six weeks ahead, and its permit page says superloads currently take up to 6 to 8 weeks.
Keep planning
More for your Louisiana move
Permit rules in other states
Hauling through other states? Use our permit map and route planner
Open the route plannerReliable Transport LLC | Reliable Heavy Haul
Ready to move it?
We haul oversize and overweight loads across the USA and Canada from our home base at 7660 W Third St, Dayton, OH 45417. Send your load details and we will plan the Louisiana permit, route and escorts.
This page is general information only, not legal advice and not a permit. Rules change often and each state's permit and official rules are the final word. Always confirm limits, escorts, routes and travel times with the state permit office before moving a load. Reliable Transport LLC is not responsible for decisions made using this information.