How to read a Louisiana oversize permit
Louisiana permits are issued by the DOTD Truck Permit Office in Baton Rouge, mostly online through its LaGeaux system, and the permit lists the highways you may use. Movement is allowed only on the highways designated on the permit, and most permitted loads run sunrise to sunset only.
Issued by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Truck Permit Office through LaGeaux. Written from DOTD's published rules; we haven't read a real Louisiana permit yet.
How to read the route
DOTD has not published a sample permit, so the exact layout of the route section is not public. DOTD says all highways used for an oversize move are shown on the permit. You may drive only on the highways designated on the permit, and alternate routes need advance approval from the Truck Permit Office. If the origin or destination changes, you need a new permit. Annual heavy-equipment permits issued since September 2, 2025 need a registered route approved before each move.
Road names on Louisiana permits
| On the permit | Means |
|---|---|
| I-10 | Interstate 10 |
| US 90 Business | Business route of U.S. Highway 90 (New Orleans area) |
| US-190 | U.S. Highway 190, including its Mississippi River bridge in Baton Rouge |
| LA 397 | Louisiana state highway 397 (LA means a Louisiana state highway) |
| LA 1 | Louisiana state highway 1 |
Where the route starts and ends
DOTD's public pages do not show how the origin and destination are written on the permit. They do say a change to the origin or destination needs a new permit.
Conditions to watch for
Travel time
Most permitted loads may run only from sunrise to sunset, as set by the National Weather Service, unless the permit type allows night travel. Source
“Normal hours of operation are from sunrise to sunset, as determined by the National Weather Service.”
Holidays
Most permitted loads may not run on certain designated holidays. DOTD does not list those holidays in its rule book, so check your permit. Source
“generally prohibited from traveling at night, in inclement weather and on certain designated holidays”
City rush hours
Loads over 12 feet wide may not use listed interstate stretches in Shreveport, Monroe, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans from 7 to 9 a.m. or 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays. New Orleans Mississippi River bridges and the US-190 bridge in Baton Rouge have their own weekday windows. Source
“Loads over 12’ wide are prohibited from weekday (Monday-Friday) travel on the Interstate System in certain areas”
Escorts
Private escorts are needed over 12 feet up to 16 feet wide, or over 90 feet up to 125 feet long. State Police escorts are needed over 16 feet wide or over 125 feet long. Loads over 15 feet 10 inches high need a pole truck in front, except on interstate-only moves. Source
“Private escorts are required for all vehicles and loads:”
Signs, flags, and lights
Over 10 feet wide, show two OVERSIZE LOAD signs: front of the truck and rear of the load. Signs are at least 7 feet by 18 inches, black on yellow. Flags are red or fluorescent orange, at least 18 inches square, at the widest points. Wide loads moving at night or in bad weather need amber lights in front and red lights at the rear. Source
“Vehicles and loads over 10’ wide must display two signs with the wording “OVERSIZE LOAD.””
Weather
No permitted travel in very heavy rain, heavy fog, ice, heavy snow, or low visibility. If it hits while you are rolling, get off the road to a safe place and park until it clears. Source
Easy to miss
- You can leave the permitted route for fuel, repairs, food, or rest, but you still may not go under overpasses, over posted bridges, or through construction zones on that side trip.
- New Orleans is the tight spot: weekday no-go windows on the interstates, on and within two miles of the Mississippi River bridges, and in the city for loads over 12 feet wide.
- Escorts ride behind a wide load on multi-lane highways and in front on two-lane highways. A load needing a height pole on a multi-lane road needs a second escort behind it.
Questions
Can I run an oversize load at night in Louisiana?
Usually not. DOTD says normal permit hours are sunrise to sunset. Some permit types allow night travel when the load stays within legal width and length, so check what your permit says.
Can I leave my Louisiana permit route to get fuel or food?
Yes. DOTD allows reasonable access off the permitted route for fuel, repairs, food, or rest. You still may not go under overpasses, cross posted bridges over their limit, or drive through construction zones.
When do I need an escort in Louisiana?
DOTD requires private escorts over 12 feet up to 16 feet wide, or over 90 feet up to 125 feet long. Over 16 feet wide or over 125 feet long needs State Police escorts.
Sources
Your permit is the legal document; follow everything it says. Rules change; check DOTD's site before you move.Last checked October 2026.