In Louisiana, any load that exceeds the legal size or weight limits requires an oversize/overweight permit before it moves. Below are the legal limits and the requirements that apply at each threshold.
1When you need a permit
A load is oversize or overweight once it passes any of these:
| Dimension | Louisiana legal limit | Permit if over |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 in | Wider |
| Height | 13 ft 6 in | Taller |
| Length (combination) | 75 ft | Longer |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Single axle | 20,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Tandem axle | 34,000 lbs | Heavier |
Rear overhang is limited to 8 ft without an over-length permit.
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| Once the load is over… | Louisiana requires |
|---|---|
| 12 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 15 ft 10 in high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 90 ft long | 1 escort · 125 ft → 2 escorts |
| 18 ft high or 18 ft wide | Route survey required |
| 16 ft wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — sunrise to sunset per National Weather Service.
- Weekends: Weekend travel is set on each permit.
- Night travel only if the load does not project beyond the vehicle, width and length are legal, height is 14 ft 4 in or less and gross is 120,000 lb or less. Other night moves need Permit Office and State Police approval..
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.
4Superloads in Louisiana
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Gross weight | 254,000 lbs |
Superloads require individual review and roughly 28 days of lead time for approval.
5Permit timing
- Superload review: ~28 days.
- Validity: a single-trip permit is good for ~5 days.
Get the full cost of your load
FreightDeck estimates every cost on an oversize move — permits, escorts, police, route survey, engineering, and the truck rate — for your exact load and route, across all 48 states and Canada, up to superload size.
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?Louisiana permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Louisiana?
Once a load exceeds any legal limit: 8 ft 6 in wide, 13 ft 6 in high, 75 ft long (combination), or 80,000 lbs gross.
When do I need a pilot car in Louisiana?
Louisiana requires one escort over 12 ft wide, a height pole over 15 ft 10 in high, and a police escort over 16 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Louisiana?
Daylight only, sunrise to sunset per National Weather Service. Night travel only if the load does not project beyond the vehicle, width and length are legal, height is 14 ft 4 in or less and gross is 120,000 lb or less. Other night moves need Permit Office and State Police approval. Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in Louisiana?
Over 254,000 lbs gross. It requires individual review and about 28 days of lead time.
How much does a Louisiana oversize permit cost?
The state permit fee depends on the load's size and weight. The full cost of a move also includes escorts, police, route surveys, engineering, and the truck rate, which vary by route. FreightDeck estimates all of it for your exact load — price your Louisiana load with FreightDeck →.
How long does it take to get an oversize permit in Louisiana?
Louisiana does not publish a standard processing time for routine permits; superload review takes about 28 days. A permit is valid for 5 days, so line up every state on the route before applying.
Can oversize loads move on weekends and holidays in Louisiana?
Weekend travel is set on each permit. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day; check the permit conditions for exact times.
How much overhang is allowed in Louisiana?
Rear overhang is limited to 8 ft without an over-length permit.
Does Louisiana require a route survey?
Yes, once a load is over 18 ft high or 18 ft wide. The survey checks every bridge, sign, signal and wire on the route and is filed with the permit; it usually takes longer than the permit itself, so start it first. What a route survey involves →
Are any loads exempt from oversize permits in Louisiana?
Louisiana publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for farm equipment, sugarcane haulers, forest products, and poles/piling (for example within 50 miles of the point of origin; not on interstate highways; sunrise to sunset only; front and rear reflector lights and a blinking hazard light. size only (weight not exempted)). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a Louisiana permit cover Texas?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into Texas, Arkansas, or Mississippi needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.