Louisiana Oversize Load Permit Requirements
Legal truck dimensions, oversize load travel hours, pilot car and escort requirements, and how to order an oversize/overweight permit from Louisiana DOTD Truck Permit Office (LaGeaux permit system).
LA, reviewed October 2026
Check your load for Louisiana
Oversize permit required in Louisiana
- Width 10 ft 0 in exceeds the 8 ft 6 in legal limit.
No width-based pilot car at 10 ft 0 in wide.
Louisiana Truck Legal Width, Height & Length
A truck and load at or under these dimensions can travel Louisiana highways without an oversize permit. Exceed any one of them and you need a permit before you move.
| Legal width | 8 ft 6 in |
|---|---|
| Legal height | 13 ft 6 in |
| Legal length | Single vehicle 45 ft; semitrailer 59.5 ft on designated truck routes; trailers in twin combinations 30 ft; 65 ft general combination length; specialized combos (boat/auto transporters) 75-80 ft. |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs |
Louisiana Oversize Load Travel Hours
- Daily movement window
- Normal permit hours are sunrise to sunset (NWS). Loads over 12 ft wide are barred Mon-Fri 7-9 am and 3:30-5:30 pm on interstates in parts of Shreveport, Monroe, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge and New Orleans; over 12 ft wide not in New Orleans 7-9 am and 3:30-6 pm Mon-Fri on non-interstate. Night/inclement-weather movement generally prohibited except loads with no projection, legal width and length, height 14 ft 4 in or less and not over 120,000 lb.
- Weekend movement
- No general weekend ban stated; permit days can be selected as Mon-Fri, Mon-Sat or Mon-Sun, and holidays and certain other days may be excluded.
- Holiday restrictions
- Permitted loads are generally prohibited from traveling at night, in inclement weather and on 'certain designated holidays'; the DOTD manual does not list which holidays. Permits may exclude holidays and certain other days. See this year's holiday dates for all states.
Louisiana Pilot Car Requirements
Private escort required for loads over 12 ft wide up to 16 ft wide and over 90 ft up to 125 ft long; state police escort over 16 ft wide or over 125 ft long; pole truck over 15 ft 10 in high (not on interstate-only moves).
| First pilot car (width) | 12 ft 0 in wide and over |
|---|---|
| Two pilot cars (width) | Not confirmed: check your permit conditions |
| Height-pole escort | 15 ft 10 in tall and over |
| Length escort | 90 ft 0 in long and over |
Louisiana pilot car requirements by load width and height. Crossing a border? Compare with Mississippi, Texas.
How to order a Louisiana oversize permit
Louisiana DOTD Truck Permit Office (LaGeaux permit system)
Overweight as well? Check axle limits with the bridge formula calculator.
Crossing Louisiana without Louisiana apportioned plates? Estimate the temporary trip permit cost with the trip permit cost estimator.
Louisiana Oversize Load FAQs
- What are the oversize load travel hours in Louisiana?
- Normal permit hours are sunrise to sunset (NWS). Loads over 12 ft wide are barred Mon-Fri 7-9 am and 3:30-5:30 pm on interstates in parts of Shreveport, Monroe, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge and New Orleans; over 12 ft wide not in New Orleans 7-9 am and 3:30-6 pm Mon-Fri on non-interstate. Night/inclement-weather movement generally prohibited except loads with no projection, legal width and length, height 14 ft 4 in or less and not over 120,000 lb. Weekends: No general weekend ban stated; permit days can be selected as Mon-Fri, Mon-Sat or Mon-Sun, and holidays and certain other days may be excluded.
- When is a pilot car required in Louisiana?
- Private escort required for loads over 12 ft wide up to 16 ft wide and over 90 ft up to 125 ft long; state police escort over 16 ft wide or over 125 ft long; pole truck over 15 ft 10 in high (not on interstate-only moves). Height: 15 ft 10 in and taller (height-pole escort).
- What is the legal truck width in Louisiana?
- The standard legal width in Louisiana is 8 ft 6 in (102 inches), the federal minimum width allowed on the National Network of highways. A load wider than that needs an oversize permit.
- How tall can a truck be in Louisiana without a permit?
- The legal height limit in Louisiana is 13 ft 6 in, measured from the road surface to the highest point of the vehicle or load. Taller loads need an oversize permit and a surveyed route for bridge and wire clearances.
- Can oversize loads move on holidays in Louisiana?
- Permitted loads are generally prohibited from traveling at night, in inclement weather and on 'certain designated holidays'; the DOTD manual does not list which holidays. Permits may exclude holidays and certain other days.
- How do I get an oversize or overweight permit in Louisiana?
- Apply through Louisiana DOTD Truck Permit Office (LaGeaux permit system) or its online permit portal. Have your USDOT number, vehicle and load dimensions, axle weights and route ready. Permit expediting agents can file on your behalf if you need the permit the same day.
Regulations change. This page summarises published Louisiana rules as reviewed October 2026 and is not legal advice; the conditions printed on your permit control. Note: Legal height is 14 ft on interstates and 13.5 ft on non-interstate highways (13.5 used here). The manual does not state the number of private escorts per width tier, so escortTwoWidthFt is null (state police front and rear escorts needed over 18 ft wide; state police over 16 ft). Multilane note: the escort travels behind the load and a pole truck is also needed in front. Holiday list not given in the manual. Superloads and route approvals have extended processing times.