Louisiana Regulations For Trucks, Vehicles and Loads The Rules and Regulations contained herein pertaining to the Department of Transportation and Development are established and enforced under the authority of Louisiana R. S 32§2 and the Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 73. This public document was published at a cost of $1.00 per copy by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, P. O. Box 94245 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804, to inform the public about current regulations for trucks, vehicles and loads within the Department under the authority of special exception by the Division of Administration. This material was printed in accordance with the standards for printing by state agencies established pursuant to R.S. 43:431. First Edition Published 1977 Twenty-Fourth Edition - Summer 2013 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page GENERAL INFORMATION---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Department of Transportation and Development Offices----------------------------------------------------- 3 Truck Permit Office------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 Location, Hours of Operation and Telephone Numbers -------------------------------------------------- 3 Emergencies---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 Louisiana Operation Lifesaver----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 Railroad Emergencies Number---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 LEGAL LIMITATIONS AND DEPARTMENT REGULATIONS------------------------------------------ 7 Legal Limitations------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9 Weight----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 Bridge Formula------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 Width------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10 Height----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 Length---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 Projecting Loads--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 Twin Trailer Combinations--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 Trailers and Towed Vehicles------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11 Farm Vehicles and Equipment--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 Timber Cutting and Logging Equipment--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 Care of Vehicle Load---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 Department Regulations------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 Posted Bridges------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13 Axle Weight Distribution------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 Variable Load Suspension Axles------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 Treated Utility Poles----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 Tunnels--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 OVERSIZE AND OVERWEIGHT PERMIT LAWS AND REGULATIONS----------------------------- 15 General Regulations ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17 Liability for Damages --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18 Certificates of Insurance----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18 Federal, State and Local Agencies---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18 Maximum Permit Weights Allowed---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 Permit Axle Weight Distribution-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 Loads Exceeding 18 feet in Width----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20 DOTD District Phone Numbers--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20 Statewide – Loads Exceeding 16 feet 5 Inches in Height ---------------------------------------------------- 20 Loads Exceeding 18 Feet in Height--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21 Methods of Obtaining Permits------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 22 Walk-In Service----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22 Mail--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22 Wire Service--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22 Internet Permit Application--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23 Charge Accounts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23 Cash Bonds --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23 Prepaid Oversize Permits---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24 Methods of Payment ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24 Types of Permits------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 25 Agronomic/Horticultural ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 25 Annual Overweight ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 25 Bagged Rice--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26 i Types of Permits continued Page Containerized Cargo Class I------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26 Containerized Cargo Class II------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 26 Containerized Special Cargo ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27 Cotton Module------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27 Escort Vehicle----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28 Forest Management Equipment-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28 Forest Products----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28 Harvest Season or Natural Forest Products----------------------------------------------------------------------- 28 House Movers Equipment---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29 Liquid Bulk Container---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29 Monthly Oversize--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29 Multi-state Permit Agreement – SASHTO States ---------------------------------------------------------------- 30 Multi-state Permit Agreement – WASHTO States---------------------------------------------------------------- 30 Off-Road Equipment – Annual Non-Critical------------------------------------------------------------------------ 31 Off-Road Equipment – Semi-annual Critical----------------------------------------------------------------------- 31 Oilfield Equipment-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32 Oversize -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32 Oversize and/or Overweight Free Permits------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32 Overweight ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32 Pleasure Craft------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 33 Refuse----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 33 Refuse Waste-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 33 Solid Waste----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------