Louisiana Truck Load Limitations

Louisiana imposes reasonable limits on large truck loads on both interstate and non-interstate highways. Those limits include the following.

Maximum Legal axle weights on Interstate Highways for large trucks:

• Single axles 20,000 pounds
• Tandem axles 34,000 pounds
• Tridum axles 42,000 pounds
• Quadrum axles 50,000 pounds

Variances are allowed on non-Interstate highways:

• Single axles 22,000 pounds
• Tandem axles 37,000 pounds
• Tridum axles 45,000 pounds
• Quadrum axles 53,000 pounds

The maximum legal weight on a tire is 3,650 pounds per inch width of tire.

The maximum legal gross weight of a vehicle regardless of number or type of axles is 80,000 pounds.

The exceptions are legal gross weights for tridum or quadrum axles:

• 83,400 pounds for Interstate Highways
• 88,000 pounds for Non-Interstate Highways

Vehicles may not exceed maximum legal gross weight.

There are also formulas for bridges in Louisiana.

Bridge Formula
Louisiana is currently enforcing compliance with the Federal Bridge Formula. 
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development adopted a rule regarding implementation of the Bridge Formula applied to vehicles that operate on state Interstate highways

The Bridge Formula applies to all vehicles except:
 a.  Type Six (five axle configurations with one single axle and two sets of tandem axles) carrying one of the commodities listed in Item c.
 b.  Type Eight (six axle configuration with one single axle, one tandem axle and one tridum axle) carrying one of the commodities listed in Item c.
c.  The above types of vehicles must be carrying the following commodities in their bulk or natural state: forest products, sand, gravel, agricultural products or lumber.
d.  All permit loads including Containerized Cargo with a valid oversize/overweight permit are exempt from the Bridge Formula. 

Width
The maximum legal width of any vehicle shall not exceed 102 inches, exclusive of safety devices.
The load on any vehicle shall not project more than twelve (12) inches beyond the width of its body. The overall width of a vehicle and load shall not exceed the legal dimensions as described above.
Exception: Appurtenances extending no more than 6 inches beyond the body of recreational vehicles.

Height
The maximum legal height of a vehicle is 14 feet 0 inches on interstate highways and 13 feet 6 inches on non-interstate highways.

Length
The maximum legal length of any single vehicle is 45 feet.

The maximum legal length of a combination of vehicles on highways other than the Designated Truck Route shall be 65 feet.

The maximum legal length of a semi-trailer on the Designated Truck Route shall be 59 feet 6 inches.

The maximum legal length of any trailer or semi-trailer portion of a twin trailer combination of vehicles shall not exceed 30 feet.

Exception: The maximum legal combination length of specialized equipment (i.e., auto transporters, boat transporters, dromedary units) is 75 feet. In addition, the front overhang is not to exceed 3 feet and the rear overhang is not to exceed 4 feet.

Exception: The maximum legal length of the load carried by a combination of vehicles transporting forest products in their natural or treated state is 65 feet plus one (1) foot additional tolerance in length. However, these vehicles must comply with flag and lighting requirement

Exception: Sportsmen coaches or vehicles obviously used solely for recreational purposes and registered, therefore, may tow a combination of no more than two (2) vehicles and shall not exceed seventy (70) feet in total length.

http://www.dotd.louisiana.gov/

The Young Firm in New Orleans understands the serious nature of automobile and truck accidents and the injuries that can result. Our firm will investigate the causes of any accident and pursue appropriate legal action.

Call a Louisiana car and truck accident attorney today at (866) 660-7220 for a free and confidential consultation if you have been involved in a car accident or an accident with a truck