Louisiana oversize load rules
Legal limits, pilot car requirements, travel restrictions, superload thresholds and permit fees for oversize and overweight loads in Louisiana.
Legal limits without a permit
| Width | 8′6″ (102 in) |
|---|---|
| Height | 14′ on interstates · 13′6″ on other highways |
| Length | 59′6″ semitrailer on designated truck routes · 65′ combination elsewhere · 45′ single vehicle |
| Weight | 80,000 lb gross |
Travel restrictions
- Sunrise to sunset; no night travel, inclement weather or designated holidays unless the permit allows
- Loads within 8′ wide, 14′4″ high and 120,000 lb with no projecting load may travel Sundays after 1 PM, on holidays and at night
- No oversize movement on the New Orleans Mississippi River bridges 6:30–9 AM and 3:30–6 PM weekdays
- US 190 Mississippi River Bridge (Baton Rouge): no movement 6:30–9 AM and 3:30–6 PM weekdays for loads over 8′6″ wide, 14′4″ high, 70′ long or 120,000 lb
Escort (pilot car) requirements
- Private escort: in front on two-lane roads, behind on multi-lane highways (over 12′ to 16′ wide)
- State Police escort (over 16′ wide)
- Front and rear State Police escorts (over 18′ wide)
- Height-indicator pole truck in front, except on interstate-only routes (over 15′10″ high); utility-line-lifting pole truck over 16′8″
- Bucket truck required and front and rear State Police escorts may be required (over 18′ high)
- Private escort (over 90′ to 125′ long)
- State Police escort; hauling trailer must have a steerable dolly (over 125′ long)
- On multi-lane highways a load that needs an escort and a pole truck must have both; the escort travels behind.
- One escort may accompany two over-length loads or one over-width load.
Superloads
Louisiana layers its reviews: over 16′5″ high needs a pre-approved route 48 hours ahead; over 18′ wide needs parish, municipal, utility and private-owner authorizations; over 18′ high needs a district authorization number and utility clearance; over 254,000 lb (232,000 lb on non-designated highways) must be submitted 4 to 6 weeks ahead, and over 900,000 lb may need independent engineering analysis.
Permit fees
| Single trip, oversize | $10 per trip per day |
|---|---|
| Single trip, overweight | By excess weight and miles (from $30) |
| Yearly oversize (90′ L, 12′ W, 14′4″ H) | $500 |
| Monthly oversize | $10 per valid day |
Over-width or over-height loads get one trip per day per permit. Overweight fees follow DOTD schedules by excess weight and distance; loads over 254,000 lb add a structural evaluation fee.
Common questions
When does a load need a pilot car in Louisiana?
Over 12′ wide or over 90′ long needs a private escort. Over 16′ wide or over 125′ long needs a State Police escort. Over 15′10″ high needs a height-pole truck in front unless the route is interstate only.
Can oversize loads travel at night or on Sundays in Louisiana?
Only small ones: loads within 8′ wide, 14′4″ high, 120,000 lb and no projecting load may move at night, on holidays and Sundays after 1 PM. Everything else runs sunrise to sunset.
What is the legal height in Louisiana?
14′ on interstates and 13′6″ on other highways.
Sources
- DOTD Regulations for Trucks, Vehicles and Loads, 2026 (PDF)
- La. Admin. Code tit. 73 § I-309 (permit restrictions)
- DOTD single trip permits
Planning reference. Permits carry their own conditions, and city and county roads have separate rules. Confirm with the Louisiana DOTD Truck Permit Office before moving a load. Found an error? Report it.
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