Pole and utility vehicles/trailers – Louisiana

Combination of vehicles

The load carried by a combination of vehicles transporting timber poles, piling, or forest products in their natural or treated state must:

• Not exceed 65 feet plus one-foot additional tolerance in length;
• Operate only during daylight hours; and
• Display a red flag or cloth not less than one foot square at the rear of the load.

In addition, a combination of vehicles transporting forest products in their natural state must be equipped with stationary vertical retaining poles on the driver’s side of the trailer portion.

Balance type or fifth-wheel type utility trailers

All vehicles or combinations of vehicles utilizing a balance type utility trailer or a fifth-wheel type utility trailer engaged in the transportation of utility poles are:

• Deemed to have a special permit by operation of law and may use the public highways for the transportation of utility poles by a utility, its representative, or its contractor for the normal operation of its facilities to provide service to the area it serves;
• Subject to the restriction that no load may extend more than 35 feet past the rear of the vehicle or combination of vehicles; and
• The load must maintain a minimum clearance of one and one-half feet above the ground.

Load on rear vehicle of a combination

The load upon the rear vehicle of a combination of vehicles transporting poles and piling:

• Must not project more than 15 feet beyond the rear of the bed or rear tire of the vehicle, whichever is further from the cab; and
• Maintain a two-foot clearance above the pavement structure.

The load upon the rear vehicle of a combination of vehicles transporting forest products in their natural state:

• Must not project more than 20 feet beyond the rear of the bed or rear tire of said vehicle, whichever is further from the cab; and
• Maintain a two-foot clearance above the pavement structure.

Forest products in their natural state

A combination of vehicles transporting forest products in their natural state must:

• Operate only during daylight hours;
• Display a red flag or cloth not less than one foot square at the rear of its projected load; and
• Be equipped with stationary vertical retaining poles on the driver’s side of the trailer portion.

Lamps and reflectors

Trailers, semi-trailers and pole trailers 30 feet or more in length must have, centrally located with respect to the length of the trailer, on each side:

• One amber side marker lamp; and
• One amber reflector.

Pole trailers must also have on each side, at the rearmost support for the load, one combination marker lamp showing amber to the front and red to the rear and side, mounted to indicate maximum width of the pole trailer.

Drawbar or connection

The drawbar or connection between two vehicles, when one is towing another, may exceed the 15-foot drawbar rule when the vehicles are transporting poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects of a structural nature which cannot be readily dismembered.

Utility vehicle permits

Utility vehicle permits are for vehicles transporting utility poles which exceed the legal limitations on length and projecting loads. These permits:

• Allow a maximum length of 90 feet if the poles are at least two feet above the roadway;
• They may be purchased only by utility companies but may be used by contractors working for these companies;
• Are valid for 24 hours from the effective date and time of day shown on the permit; Cost $8 for 24 hours;
• Once filled out in ink, they may be used without calling the truck permit office to activate;
• DO NOT prohibit traveling at night, during severe weather, on Sundays after 1 p.m., or on holidays; and
• Are issued on the U-form.