Federal & State Regulations | Oversize and overweight movements - Louisiana

General requirements

Reducible expectations	With few exceptions, permits will not be issued for oversize or overweight movements that can be reduced or loaded within the legal size and weight limits.
Permit timing	Overlength, overheight, and overwidth permits may be granted on a single trip basis or on a blanket basis for envelope vehicles (monthly or yearly).
Method of application	Permits may be applied for in person, by mail, by wire services/permit services, on-line, prepaid permits, or through J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., Trip Permits, at (800) 231-5266.. Permits will not be issued by the DOTD enforcement units.
Payments accepted	Cash, company or personal check, or money orders are accepted. Credit cards are accepted for the payment of fees for special permits, payment on account, and on a limited-time basis for the purchase of single trip permits. Charge accounts are available. A surety bond must be posted with the Truck Permit Office to establish a permit charge account.
Electronic permits	The original of a permit must be carried at all times in the vehicle to which it was issued. Facsimile copies of valid oversize prepaid permits are acceptable provided the copies are legible and complete.
Route surveys	A route clearance request form is for loads exceeding 232,000 lbs, 16' 5'' high, or 18' wide is required to be completed. Allow 48-hours for review.

Insurance requirements

Liability	All permits are issued on the condition that the permittee accepts and uses the permit at his own risk, even though all instructions, directions, and requirements of the Department have been followed. The permittee and the owners and operators of escort vehicles shall hold the State of Louisiana and the Department of Transportation & Development harmless from any damages resulting from the movement.
Coverage	Before a special permit is issued, a liability bond or certificate of insurance which insures any damage to state property must be on file with the Truck Permit Office for all vehicles and loads which are either overweight, and/or 14 or more feet in width. The amount of the bond is $100,000 for a single trip and $250,000 for a year. The original of the property damage bond, a power of attorney for the principal, and a power of attorney for the insurance company must be furnished to the Truck Permit Office.

Available Permits and Fees

Overdimension
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Single trip	Oversize	$10
Annual	Oversize	$500
Monthly	Oversize	$10 per day
Overweight
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Single Trip	Overweight (fee based on weight and distance)	variable
Annual	Overweight	$2,500
Annual	Ready-mixed concrete truck – rear tandem axle	$800
Annual	Ready-mixed concrete truck – tri- or quad- axle	$400
Annual	Bagged rice	$500
Annual	Liquid bulk container	$200
Annual	Steer axle	$15
Annual	Timber cutting/logging equipment	$100
Annual	Timber harvest season	$100
Annual	Class I - Containerized cargo	$50
Biannual	Class II - Containerized cargo	$375
Annual	Containerized special cargo	$750
Overdimension and/or Overweight
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Annual	Agronomic/Horticultural	$100
Annual	Cotton modules	$50
Annual	Forest products	$10
Annual	Harvest season/natural forest product	$10
Monthly	Oil field equipment	$15
Special fees
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
	Prepaid oversize permits	$10

Permit Limitations

Permit limitations
Length	Limitations
Overhang	• 4' front, 8' rear standard • 20' rear of the bed or the back of the rear tire of the vehicle, whichever is further from the cab, and the load must clear the pavement by at least 2' for forest products in their natural state • 15' rear of the bed or the back of the rear tire of the vehicle, whichever is further from the cab, for vehicles transporting wooden poles or piling
Weight	Limitations
Single axle	• 24,000 lbs if the gross vehicle weight is 120,000 lbs or less • 20,000 lbs if the gross vehicle weight exceeds 120,000 lbs • Multi-State permit weight limits are 12,000 lbs on the steering axle and 20,000 lbs on others
Tandems	• 48,000 lbs if the gross vehicle weight is 120,000 lbs or less • 40,000 lbs if the gross vehicle weight exceeds 120,000 lbs • 45,000 lbs if the gross vehicle weight exceeds 120,000 lbs and the spread between axle groups is a minimum of 12' and the spread between tires in a group is a minimum of 4' • 40,000 lbs if the maximum on Multi-State permits.
Tridems	60,000 lbs
Trunnion	54,000 lbs (16 tires)
Configuration	Limitations
Manufactured Housing	16' 6" maximum width
Annual oversize	• 90' in length • 12' in width • 25' rear overhang • 14' 4" in height
Annual overweight	• GVW not to exceed 120,000 lbs • Loads with a GVW exceeding 108,000 lbs must have at least 6 axles
Ready-mix	On non-Interstate highways, maximum weights are: • 69,000 lbs on a rear tandem-axle mixer truck • 83,000 lbs on a tri-axle mixer truck • 84,000 lbs on a rear quad-axle mixer truck
Agronomic - Horticultural	On non-Interstate highways, maximum weights are: • 100,000 lbs GVW • 12,000 lbs steering axle • 48,000 lbs tandem axles • 60,000 lbs tridem axles
Bagged rice	On non-Interstate highways, maximum weights are: • 95,000 lbs GVW • 37,000 lbs tandem axles • 45,000 lbs tridem axles
Cotton module	On state-maintained highway (non-Interstate), maximum weights are: • 68,000 lbs GVW • 20,000 lbs single axle • 48,000 lbs tandem axles
Forest management equipment	10' maximum width
Harvest season or natural forest products	Limitations on size do not apply to trucks transporting cotton modules or cotton from the field to the gin, or cotton seed from the gin to the mill, and that possess this permit. On non-Interstate highways, maximum weights are: • 86,600 lbs GVW • 22,000 lbs single axle • 37,000 lbs tandem axles (except that a vehicle with tandem axles carrying forest products in their natural state are allowed 40,000 lbs).
Harvest season or natural forest products	Limitations on size do not apply to trucks transporting cotton modules or cotton from the field to the gin, or cotton seed from the gin to the mill, and that possess this permit. On Interstate highways, maximum weights are: • 83,400 lbs GVW • 20,000 lbs single axle • 35,200 lbs tandem axles
Liquid bulk container	On Interstates and non-Interstate highways, maximum weights are: • 95,500 lbs GVW • 40,000 lbs tandem axles • 60,000 lbs tridem axles
Steering axle	No load may be carried by a rig-up truck with a steering axle permit and another vehicle may not be towed by the truck. • Steering axle weight may not exceed 24,000 lbs • Length may not exceed 45' • Width may not exceed 10'
Timber harvest	For the operation of a vehicle or combination of vehicles that will be used to transport pulp wood, wood chips, unrefined timber, or woody biomass products in their natural state. The vehicle must: • Be equipped with weight scales for purposes of weight regulation • Have legal axle weights • Not exceed a maximum 92,000 lbs • Not exceed 50 m.ph. on the public highways
Timber cutting - logging equipment	On non-Interstate highways, maximum weights are: • 105,000 lbs GVW • 12,000 lbs steering axle • 48,000 lbs tandem axles • 12' maximum width
Monthly oversize	• 90' in length • 12' in width • 30' front or rear overhang • 14' 4" in height • Legal weight
Monthly oilfield equipment	For empty lowboys that are designed to transport oilfield equipment. The maximum dimensions on non-Interstates are: • 70' in length • 10' in width • Legal weight and height
Monthly oilfield equipment	For empty lowboys that are designed to transport oilfield equipment. The maximum dimensions on Interstates are: • 70' in length • Legal weight, width, and height
Containerized Cargo Class I	• 80,000 lbs GVW • 40,000 lbs tandems
Containerized Cargo Class II	Vehicles hauling prepackaged products in international trade originating from or destined to an intermodal facility. The contents of a sealed container being used in international trade in conjunction with a maritime shipment is considered indivisible: • 95,000 lbs GVW • 22,000 lbs per axle
Containerized Special Cargo	Only for one-way hauls from Pineville, Louisiana and New Orleans, Louisiana. Permit is limited to sealed containerized cargo which contains containerboard, kraft liner, or roll pulp. • Vehicle or combination of vehicles with not more than 5 axles • 90,000 lbs GVW • 40,000 lbs tandems
Biannual Tandem Container	For the operation of a combination of vehicles or tandem loads hauling containers (divisible or non-divisible) to and from port facilities. • 140,000 lbs GVW • 40,000 lbs tandems • 60,000 tridems • 83' overall length maximum • Must have a dual axle dolly with tilt sensors

Signs

General sign requirement	Two signs are required for vehicles and loads exceeding 10' in width. One sign must be on the front of the vehicle, the other on the rear of the load. Vehicles and loads exceeding 75' in length or the legal rear end overhang must display two signs on the sides of the overhanging part of the load. Vehicles and loads exceeding the legal front end overhang must display one sign on the front of the vehicle.
Escort sign requirement	The escorting vehicle shall be equipped and have readily accessible two oversize load signs.
	Type	Size	Lettering	Background
General signs	OVERSIZE LOAD	7' x 18"	10" black lettering with 1.4" brushstroke	Yellow
Escort signs	OVERSIZE LOAD	7' x 18"	10" black lettering with 1.4" brushstroke	Yellow

Lights

General light requirements	All vehicles and loads which are permitted to travel at night or during inclement weather must be equipped with lights as required by law.
Escort light requirements	The escort vehicle must display an approved 360° "Emergency Warning Lamp."
	Type	Placement
General light type and placement	Amber/red lights	Amber placed on two front corners with red on the back corners, as well as any portion of the load that extends beyond the front/rear edges.
Escort light type and placement	Amber bar, strobe, revolving, and/or stationary lamps meeting SAE standards J845 and J595.	The base of the warning lamp (amber portion) must be mounted at a point atop the vehicle at a minimum of 60" from the roadway.

Flags

	Type	Size	Placement
General Flags	Red warning flags	18" square	On the extreme front and/or rear of the oversize vehicles or load, on any portion which is wider than the flagged front of the rear edges, and if the rear overhang is more than 4'.
Escort Flags	Red warning flags	18" square	Mounted other than vertical or horizontal atop the escort vehicle at approximately a 45° angle. The flags need to be mounted in line with the warning lamp(s).

Escort vehicle markings

Size	Placement	Content
Plainly legible and visible to the motoring public	On each door	Name and address or telephone number and city of the company/owner of the escort vehicle (well known company logos are acceptable).

Escort/Flagperson requirements

Escort requirements

Private escorts

A private escort will be required for vehicles and loads:

Over 12 feet wide and up to 16 feet wide on a two-lane highway;
Over 12 feet wide and up to 16 feet wide on a multi-lane highway; or
Over 90 feet long and up to 125 feet long.

An escort vehicle may escort two overlength vehicles or loads, but only one overwidth vehicle or load.

An escort vehicle must travel to the rear of the overwidth movement on multilane highways and in front of the escorted load on two-lane highways. An escort vehicle must be behind vehicles that are overlength only.

Headlights and rear lights on the escort vehicle and the vehicle being escorted must be lit at all times during the movement.

Pole or bucket truck escorts are required as follows:

Load Type	Pole/Bucket Truck Details
Loads over 15 feet 10 inches in height	A pole truck with a height indicator is required. The pole truck is to travel in front of the permitted load to detect low clearances while traveling on the state maintained highway system. This restriction does not preclude the requirement for bucket trucks at greater heights or as determined by the Truck Permit Office. Loads traveling strictly on Interstate highways or off the state maintained highway system will are exempt from this requirement. Loads that require an escort and are traveling on multi-lane highways will require both an escort and a pole truck (or car), since the escort vehicle is required to travel behind the loads on these highways
Loads over 16 feet 8 inches in height	A pole truck with an approved instrument to safely lift utility lines for the load to pass under is required. The pole truck is to travel in front of the permitted load to safely lift utility lines while traveling on the state maintained highway system. This restriction does not preclude the requirement for bucket trucks at greater heights or as determined by the Truck Permit Office. Loads that require an escort and are traveling on multi-lane highways will require both an escort and a pole truck (or car), since the escort vehicle is required to travel behind the loads on these highways.
Loads exceeding 17 feet 11 inches in height	A bucket truck is required. A bucket truck could be required by the Truck Permit Office at lower heights if the movement of the load requires travel through a metropolitan area or a rural area where the number of utility lines would hinder the safe movement of the load.

Police escorts

Travel through metropolitan areas may require city or parish escorts and/or permits. Contact with city or parish authorities is the responsibility of the hauler for possible requirements and/or restrictions.

State police escorts are required for all vehicles and loads over:

16 feet wide on two-lane highways;
16 feet wide on multilane highways; or
125 feet in length.

Loads over 18 feet in height may require a front and rear state police escort. Loads over 18 feet in width will require a front and rear state police escort.

Flagperson requirements

Vehicles over 75 feet in overall length may require a flagperson if specified by the Department.

There are no flagperson requirements for overweight or overheight movements; however, some loads may be required to be accompanied by a bucket truck or escort with a height pole, and equipment and qualified personnel to lift lines as needed.

Escort car/company requirements

Escort certification

All private escorts must have a Louisiana Approved Escort Vehicle Permit obtained from DOTD Weights and Standards Police Officer. This permit will certify that the required safety equipment and proof of liability insurance have been verified. Before an escort vehicle permit and decal can be issued, escort operators must certify that they meet the requirements regarding insurance, vehicle plate, driver's licenses, escort vehicle markings, and warning/emergency equipment. The permit is $10 for companies domiciled outside of Louisiana.

Closed vans (stepside), buses, campers, motorhomes, and motor driven cycles are not acceptable as escort vehicles. A vehicle that has all of the required equipment (in proper working order) may escort until which time he/she crosses a stationary scale or is stopped by a mobile unit. At that time the escort will be inspected and issued the permit and decal without being assessed a penalty. At no time may the escort vehicle tow another vehicle or trailer.

Escort car/company signs, flags, and lights

Before an escort vehicle permit and decal can be issued, the following requirements must be met:

Appropriate truck license for type and weight commercial plate on all Louisiana domiciled automobiles, and reciprocal agreements on all others.
Proof of insurance with policy number in the minimum amounts of $100,000 for liability and $50,000 for property damage.
Appropriate operator’s license for type of vehicle being operated. (Louisiana residents only).
Amber lights measuring nine inches by four inches square, with 360 degree visibility, must be posted with the base of the light measuring 60 inches from the roadway. All lights at both the front and rear must be operable. Bar lights or strobe lights may be used in place of amber lights.
Two 18-inch square red warning flags mounted on masts must be posted on top of the vehicle at an approximate 45 degree angle. The angle of the flags shall be posted so that they do not extend more than six inches from the side of the vehicle. The flags must be displayed in a V formation with the light mounted at the base of the V. When the flags are displayed, they must be in line with the light(s).
Door signs must include the name and complete address, or name, city, state, and telephone number. A well-known company logo is acceptable (permanent or semi-permanent). Lettering must be at least two inches tall and legible at 25 feet.
Two rear view side mirrors.
Radio communication with load.
A ten-pound dry chemical fire extinguisher or equivalent, four 15-minute burning flares, and two hand-held red flags (hazard markers may be substituted for flares).
Four red 18-inch square flags and two OVERSIZE LOAD signs must be displayed on the load. OVERSIZE LOAD signs must be 18 inches high by seven feet wide with black lettering on yellow background. Lettering must be ten inches high with 1¹/₂-inch brushstroke.