Louisiana oversize and overweight rules
The short answer
Last checked
Without a permit, a load in Louisiana can be up to 8 ft 6 in wide on designated truck routes, 13 ft 6 in high on roads other than interstates or 14 ft high on interstates and 80,000 lb gross, with the conditions in the legal limits table. The first pilot car is required for loads over 12 ft wide or over 90 ft long, and a height pole car for loads over 15 ft 10 in high on roads other than interstates, with the conditions in the pilot car table. It treats a load as a superload when it is over 232,000 lb gross.
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Legal limits without a permit
| Limit | Up to | Roads | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 inSafety devices are excluded, and it holds on the highways the transportation secretary designates. | Designated truck routes | La. R.S. 32:380(A), (D) |
| Height | 13 ft 6 in | Roads other than interstates | La. R.S. 32:381(A)(1) |
| Height | 14 ftAllowed only when the vehicle stays solely on the Interstate and reaches terminals and services within one road mile. | Interstates | La. R.S. 32:381(A)(1) |
| Length, single truck | 45 ft | All roads | La. R.S. 32:382(A)(1) |
| Length, semitrailer | 59 ft 6 in | All roads | La. R.S. 32:382(A)(1) |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbWith a tridum or bigger axle group, a combination can reach 83,400 pounds on the Interstate or 88,000 elsewhere; the licensed gross weight still caps any vehicle. | All roads | LaDOTD Regulations (2025), Legal Limitations, Weight, p. 7 (La. R.S. 32:386(A)) |
Source: La. R.S. 32:380, La. R.S. 32:381, La. R.S. 32:382, LaDOTD, Louisiana Regulations for Trucks, Vehicles, and Loads (2025)
Axle weight limits
| Axle or group | Without a permit | With a permit | Roads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any single axle | 20,000 lbHolds for low pressure pneumatic tires; axles running cushion, solid rubber or high pressure tires drop to 18,000 pounds. | Not set | Interstates |
| Any single axle | 22,000 lbIt is the Interstate figure of 20,000 pounds plus a 2,000 pound variance allowed away from the Interstate. | Not set | Roads other than interstates |
| 2 axles in a group | 34,000 lb | Not set | Interstates |
| 2 axles in a group | 37,000 lbIt is 34,000 pounds plus a 3,000 pound variance off the Interstate, and any one axle is capped at 21,500 pounds. 21,500 lb an axleCovers only vehicles running without an overweight axle permit. | Not set | Roads other than interstates |
| 3 axles in a group | 42,000 lb 16,000 lb an axleCovers only vehicles running without an overweight axle permit. | Not set | Interstates |
| 3 axles in a group | 45,000 lb 17,000 lb an axleCovers only vehicles running without an overweight axle permit. | Not set | Roads other than interstates |
| 4 axles in a group | 50,000 lb 14,500 lb an axleCovers only vehicles running without an overweight axle permit. | Not set | Interstates |
| 4 axles in a group | 53,000 lb 15,500 lb an axleCovers only vehicles running without an overweight axle permit. | Not set | Roads other than interstates |
| 5 axles in a group | 58,000 lb | Not set | Interstates |
| 5 axles in a group | 61,000 lb | Not set | Roads other than interstates |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbWith a tridum or bigger axle group, a combination can reach 83,400 pounds on the Interstate or 88,000 elsewhere; the licensed gross weight still caps any vehicle. | 254,000 lbLoads above 232,000 pounds off designated highways, or above 254,000 anywhere, need detailed submissions 4 to 6 weeks ahead and must go by rail or water except end legs; above 900,000 an engineering study may be needed. | All roads |
| Per inch of tire width | 650 lb an inch | Not set | All roads |
| Steering axle, when the gross is over 80,000 lb up to 120,000 lb | Not set | Not a hard ceiling: heavier is possible only with special authorization from the Truck Permit Office.12,000 lb | All roads |
| Steering axle, when the gross is over 120,000 lb up to 254,000 lb | Not set | 13,000 lbRequires at least 12 feet separating axle groups and 4 feet separating tires inside a group. | All roads |
| Single axle standing alone, when the gross is from 1 lb up to 120,000 lb | Not set | Not a hard ceiling: heavier is possible only with special authorization from the Truck Permit Office.24,000 lb | All roads |
| Single axle standing alone, when the gross is over 120,000 lb | Not set | Not a hard ceiling: heavier is possible only with special authorization from the Truck Permit Office.20,000 lb | All roads |
| 2 axles in a group, when the gross is from 1 lb up to 120,000 lb | Not set | 48,000 lbEach axle must carry 40% to 60% of the group. Not a hard ceiling: heavier is possible only with special authorization from the Truck Permit Office. | All roads |
| 2 axles in a group, when the gross is over 120,000 lb | Not set | 45,000 lbRequires 12 feet of clear space ahead of and behind the tandem plus 4 feet of tire spacing within it; with tighter spacing the cap is 40,000 pounds. | All roads |
| 3 axles in a group | Not set | 60,000 lbEach axle must carry 25% to 40% of the group. Not a hard ceiling: heavier is possible only with special authorization from the Truck Permit Office. | All roads |
The federal bridge formula applies to axle groups on interstates (La. R.S. 32:386(H)(1)). “With a permit” lists the state’s permit figures; read each row’s condition, since some are review thresholds rather than limits.
Source: LaDOTD, Louisiana Regulations for Trucks, Vehicles, and Loads (2025), La. R.S. 32:386
Pilot cars and escorts
Each row is one rule. A load can meet several; the permit lists the escorts for your move.
| Load | Roads | Front | Rear | Height pole | Police | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| over 16 ft wideDOTD’s guidance doesn’t give a number of State Police escorts or say whether a private escort also goes along. Over 18 feet wide, State Police escort front and rear.Escort Requirements and Related, State Police Escorts | All roads | police escort | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| over 18 ft wideA representative from the DOTD district might also need to sign off on the move or ride with it.Escort Requirements and Related, State Police Escorts | All roads | 2 police escorts | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| over 90 ft up to 125 ft longThe escort drives behind the load on every highway, and a single escort can serve two overlength loads. The permit sets how many escort vehicles are needed.Escort Requirements and Related, Private Escorts | All roads | 1 behind | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| over 125 ft longDOTD’s guidance doesn’t give a number of State Police escorts or say whether a private escort also goes along. The hauling trailer needs steerable or trackable dollies.Escort Requirements and Related, State Police Escorts | All roads | police escort | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| over 16 ft 8 in highThis is a truck with approved line-lifting instruments, not a height pole car, and it leads on state-maintained highways. With prior Truck Permit Office approval it can be waived when the load is stripped with PVC pipe or boards.The condition says what goes alongEscort Requirements and Related, Pole Trucks | All roads | See the source | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| over 18 ft highA bucket truck is not an escort vehicle. Metropolitan or utility-dense rural routes may need one at lower heights; before requesting a permit over 18 feet high, contact each DOTD district office on the route.The condition says what goes alongEscort Requirements and Related, Bucket Trucks | All roads | See the source | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| over 12 ft up to 16 ft wideOn two-lane highways the escort drives ahead of the load. The permit sets the escort count and can ask for extra vehicles, and a private escort holds a Louisiana Escort Vehicle Permit.Escort Requirements and Related, Private Escorts | Two-lane roads | 1 in front | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| over 12 ft up to 16 ft wideOn multi-lane highways the escort drives behind the load. The permit sets the escort count and can ask for extra vehicles.Escort Requirements and Related, Private Escorts | Two or more lanes in your direction | 1 behind | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| over 15 ft 10 in highCovers state-maintained highways except interstates; loads staying on interstates, or off the state system, are exempt. On multi-lane roads the pole truck is extra to the trailing escort.Escort Requirements and Related, Pole Trucks, first bullet group (vehicles equipped with height indicators) | Roads other than interstates | 1 height pole car | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
- The lead pilot car is the one that carries the height pole.
Superloads
Louisiana treats a load as a superload when it is any one of these:
- over 232,000 lb gross
Source: La. DOTD, Louisiana Regulations for Trucks, Vehicles, and Loads (2025)
When you can travel
Holidays
Loads that are not legal width and length, over 14 ft 4 in high, or over 120,000 lb, or that project beyond the vehicle
Generally barred on certain designated holidays, but the state booklet gives no holiday list or time windows, and no dates for the coming holidays were found. Mobile home permits get extra days added when a holiday falls inside the 3-day permit. Vehicles at legal width and length, 14 ft 4 in or less high and 120,000 lb or less are typically not barred.
Louisiana DOTD permit booklet, Curfews, Night Movement, Inclement Weather, and Holidays
Weekends
No weekend bar is stated in the state permit rules booklet.
Louisiana DOTD permit booklet, Permit Load Travel Restrictions
Night
Permit loads over legal size or with projecting loads
Normal hours are sunrise to sunset. Night moves are barred unless the vehicle is legal width and length, 14 ft 4 in or less high, 120,000 lb or less, and nothing projects. Safety lights are required at night.
Cities and rush hour
Shreveport I-20/I-220; Monroe I-20; Lake Charles I-210 and I-10; Baton Rouge I-110, I-10, I-12; New Orleans I-610 and I-10
Loads over 12 ft wide
No movement 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, on listed Interstate segments in Shreveport (I-20, I-220), Monroe (I-20), Lake Charles (I-210, I-10), Baton Rouge (I-110, I-10, I-12) and New Orleans (I-610, I-10).
Louisiana DOTD permit booklet, Permit Load Travel Restrictions
New Orleans (Mississippi River bridges; city streets)
Any permitted vehicle near the river bridges; loads over 12 ft wide in the city
No permitted vehicle on or within 2 miles of any Mississippi River bridge in New Orleans 6:30 to 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Loads over 12 ft wide are also barred in New Orleans 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 to 6:00 p.m., except on the Interstate and US 90 Business between the Crescent City Connection and I-10.
Baton Rouge US-190 Mississippi River Bridge
Projecting loads, or loads over 8 ft 6 in wide, 14 ft 4 in high, 70 ft long or 120,000 lb
Barred 6:30 to 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, at the US 190 Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge.
Every state on one page: holiday, weekend, night and city restrictions by state. For this year’s holiday, see Thanksgiving 2026 restrictions.
Single trip permit fees
Within each kind of fee the largest that fits your load applies, and the kinds add up.
| Fee | When it applies | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Permit feeR.S. 32:387(H)(1)(a) | Every single trip permit | $10 |
| Permit feeR.S. 32:387(H)(2)(c)(i), 0 to 50 miles column, 80,001 to 100,000 pounds row | over 80,000 lb up to 100,000 lb gross | $45 |
| Permit feeR.S. 32:387(H)(2)(c)(i), 0 to 50 miles column, 100,001 to 108,000 pounds row | over 100,000 lb up to 108,000 lb gross | $75 |
| Permit feeR.S. 32:387(H)(2)(c)(i), 0 to 50 miles column, 108,001 to 120,000 pounds row | over 108,000 lb up to 120,000 lb gross | $105 |
| Permit feeR.S. 32:387(H)(2)(c)(i), 0 to 50 miles column, 120,001 to 132,000 pounds row | over 120,000 lb up to 132,000 lb gross | $135 |
| Permit feeR.S. 32:387(H)(2)(c)(i), 0 to 50 miles column, 132,001 to 152,000 pounds row | over 132,000 lb up to 152,000 lb gross | $180 |
| Permit feeR.S. 32:387(H)(2)(c)(i), 0 to 50 miles column, 152,001 to 172,000 pounds row | over 152,000 lb up to 172,000 lb gross | $232.50 |
| Permit feeR.S. 32:387(H)(2)(c)(i), 0 to 50 miles column, 172,001 to 192,000 pounds row | over 172,000 lb up to 192,000 lb gross | $285 |
| Permit feeR.S. 32:387(H)(2)(c)(i), 0 to 50 miles column, 192,001 to 212,000 pounds row | over 192,000 lb up to 212,000 lb gross | $337.50 |
| Permit feeR.S. 32:387(H)(2)(c)(i), 0 to 50 miles column, 212,001 to 232,000 pounds row | over 212,000 lb up to 232,000 lb gross | $390 |
| Permit feeR.S. 32:387(H)(2)(c)(i), 0 to 50 miles column, 232,001 to 254,000 pounds row | over 232,000 lb up to 254,000 lb gross | $442.50 |
| Distance feeR.S. 32:387(H)(2)(c)(i), all five distance columns | over 80,000 lb up to 254,000 lb gross | Not computed here, see the source |
| Permit feeR.S. 32:387(H)(2)(c)(iv) | over 254,000 lb gross | $15 |
| Ton mile feeR.S. 32:387(H)(2)(c)(iv)(aa) to (cc) | over 254,000 lb gross | Not computed here, see the source |
Source: La. R.S. 32:387(H)(1) and (H)(2)
Where to apply
Louisiana issues permits through LaGeaux Permit System. Start from the agency’s permit page, which leads to it.
What the rules don’t say
Where the sources are silent or say two things. Ask the state before you rely on these.
Legal limits
- Louisiana’s width limit applies on routes the state designates, and the rules do not list every combination length. Confirm the legal width for your route and the length limit for your combination with the permit office.
- State law sets the 59 foot 6 inch semitrailer length without naming roads, while DOTD’s regulations tie it to designated truck routes. Confirm which roads allow it.
Axle weights
- Off the Interstate, the axle figures add a 2,000 pound variance on a single axle and 3,000 pounds on larger groups. The statute itself names no five axle group limit, so confirm the state’s figure for your configuration.
- A combination with a tridum or quadrum axle group may carry 83,400 pounds on the Interstate and 88,000 pounds on other state highways. Confirm how the state counts your axle groups before relying on the higher gross.
- Permit weights depend on tire type and width, the gap between axle groups, and axle spread. Over 120,000 pounds gross, a tandem is held to 40,000 pounds when groups are under 12 feet apart or tires under 4 feet apart.
- DOTD’s permit chart shows 12,000 pounds on the steering axle. Its fee schedule note allows 13,000 pounds from 120,000 to 254,000 pounds gross with proper spreads, and La. R.S. 32:387(H)(2)(c)(ii) allows 13,000 from 212,000 to 254,000. Ask which applies.
- Permitted tandems and tridums must split load within set shares between axles. Off-road equipment, forest products, bulk commodities, natural gas vehicles and other special permits follow separate limits, so confirm which one fits your haul.
- The state may lower weights on a highway for weather or road condition, with signs at each end, rather than on a fixed calendar. Check for postings along your route.
Pilot cars and superloads
- Louisiana requires private escorts for loads over 12 and up to 16 feet wide and over 90 and up to 125 feet long, but DOTD’s guidance doesn’t state how many. The permit office sets the number in your authorization, so confirm it.
- The rules do not say whether private escorts also travel with a State Police escorted load. Ask what is required above 16 feet wide or 125 feet long.
- Loads over 18 feet high may require front and rear State Police escorts, but the rules say may, not must. Ask the office whether yours will.
- City or parish police escorts and local permits may be required through metropolitan areas, and loads over 18 feet wide may need a DOTD district representative. Ask early about these.
- The pole escort travels in front, with a second escort behind on multilane highways when the size calls for one. DOTD’s guidance needs structural evaluation over 232,000 pounds off designated highways or 254,000 on any highway; loads over 18 feet wide or high have extra procedures.
Permit fees
- The overweight fee depends on axle count and trip distance, with separate schedules for fewer axles, four axle combinations and off-road equipment. Ask DOTD for the amount for your configuration, since a four axle combination from 80,001 to 90,000 pounds starts at $67.50.
- An oversize permit is $10 per trip, or $10 per operating day for trips lasting more than one calendar day. Mobile homes are $10 for 72 hours. Confirm how many days your trip will be charged.
- State Police escorts are charged by mileage with a $25 minimum, and a $100,000 certificate of insurance is required. Loads over 254,000 pounds also pay a ton mile fee and a bridge evaluation fee for each structure.
- Route surveys for the heaviest moves can take six to eight weeks. Plan lead time and ask DOTD for the survey cost.
- Confirm the current fee schedule with DOTD before quoting, as the overweight statute has been amended more than once.
Where to apply
- Start from DOTD’s permit page and confirm which online system, currently the LaGeaux Permit System, takes applications.
Questions about Louisiana
- When do I need an oversize permit in Louisiana?
- Without a permit, a load in Louisiana can be up to 8 ft 6 in wide on designated truck routes, 13 ft 6 in high on roads other than interstates or 14 ft high on interstates and 80,000 lb gross, with the conditions in the legal limits table. Loads past these figures generally need a permit from the state; see the legal limits table for the exceptions and for length, which depends on the vehicle.
- How much does a Louisiana oversize permit cost?
- On the fee schedule we checked, a single trip permit starts at $10. Some charges are not computed here; the fee table names them. The estimator on this page adds up the fees for your load.
- When do you need a pilot car in Louisiana?
- The first pilot car is required for loads over 12 ft wide or over 90 ft long, and a height pole car for loads over 15 ft 10 in high on roads other than interstates, with the conditions in the pilot car table. How many cars, and whether they lead or follow, depends on the road; the pilot car table lists each rule.
- What is a superload in Louisiana?
- Louisiana treats a load as a superload when it is over 232,000 lb gross. The superloads list on this page gives each threshold with its source.
- When can oversize loads travel in Louisiana?
- At night: Normal hours are sunrise to sunset. Night moves are barred unless the vehicle is legal width and length, 14 ft 4 in or less high, 120,000 lb or less, and nothing projects. Safety lights are required at night. This applies to permit loads over legal size or with projecting loads. On weekends: No weekend bar is stated in the state permit rules booklet. Rush hour and city curfews also apply; they are listed on this page.
- Can oversize loads move on holidays in Louisiana?
- Generally barred on certain designated holidays, but the state booklet gives no holiday list or time windows, and no dates for the coming holidays were found. Mobile home permits get extra days added when a holiday falls inside the 3-day permit. Vehicles at legal width and length, 14 ft 4 in or less high and 120,000 lb or less are typically not barred. This applies to loads that are not legal width and length, over 14 ft 4 in high, or over 120,000 lb, or that project beyond the vehicle.
Sources
- Louisiana Regulations for Trucks, Vehicles, and Loads (Twenty-Fifth Edition, 2025)LaDOTD, Louisiana Regulations for Trucks, Vehicles, and Loads (2025)Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Truck Permit Office. Read .
- La. R.S. 32:380: Width; projecting loads on vehiclesLa. R.S. 32:380Louisiana State Legislature. Read .
- La. R.S. 32:381: HeightLa. R.S. 32:381Louisiana State Legislature. Read .
- La. R.S. 32:382: Length; special length limitsLa. R.S. 32:382Louisiana State Legislature. Read .
- Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:386: WeightLa. R.S. 32:386Louisiana State Legislature. Read .
- Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:387: Special permitsLa. R.S. 32:387Louisiana State Legislature. Read .
- Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development page naming the permit systemLouisiana Department of Transportation and Development, permit system pageLouisiana Department of Transportation and Development. Read .
- Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:387, Special permits (Subsection H, special permit fees)La. R.S. 32:387(H)(1) and (H)(2)Louisiana State Legislature. Read .
- Single Trip PermitsDOTD Oversized and Overweight Truck Permits, Single Trip Permits pageLouisiana Department of Transportation and Development. Read .
Found something wrong or out of date? Report an error to hello@thirteensix.com.
This page is a dated summary in our own words, not legal advice. The permit the state issues governs your move, and states change their rules; check with Louisiana before you travel.
Bordering states
- Crossing into Arkansas? See Arkansas rules
- Mississippi, coming soon
- Crossing into Texas? See Texas rules
More guides: all states and the rules library.
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