La. Admin. Code tit. 73 § I-301

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section I-301 - General Information

A. Permit Policies

1. Vehicles or loads which exceed the legal size or weight, but which cannot be easily divided, broken, or dismantled, are called indivisible vehicles or indivisible loads. Drivers of these vehicles are eligible to purchase oversize or overweight permits. These permits will allow oversize or overweight vehicles to travel on state-maintained highways.

2. Some vehicles transporting divisible loads are eligible to obtain permits. These are:

a. vehicles transporting pipe loaded across a vehicle, rather than lengthwise, are eligible for overwidth permits as long as the width of the vehicle and load does not exceed 8 feet, 8 inches;

b. vehicles transporting up to three bundles of pre-packaged or strapped oil field pipe are eligible for overwidth permits if the load does not exceed 10 feet in width;

c. vehicles transporting pulpwood or plywood bolts loaded across a vehicle, rather than lengthwise, are eligible for forest product permits;

d. vehicles transporting farm products in their natural state are eligible for harvest season permits;

e. waste disposal trucks transporting divisible loads are eligible for waste disposal truck permits and steering axle permits;

f. when all parts which have been or can be easily divided or dismantled from a shipment weigh altogether 500 pounds or less, these parts may moved along with indivisible part of the shipment as one load.

3. Federal, state, and local government agencies are required to have oversize and overweight permits. They shall not be charged for oversize permits but shall be charged for overweight permits. Only vehicles with federal or public license plates and identification numbers which are being used for official business are eligible for the oversize permit fee exemption.

a. The Louisiana National Guard shall not be charged for overweight permits through June 30, 1979. Beginning July 1, 1979, the National Guard shall be charged for overweight permits.

b. Government-owned utility companies cannot get the oversize permit fee exemption.

4. Authorization for check weights must be confirmed by the truck permit office before the vehicle arrives at a stationary enforcement unit. The truck permit office will also provide the license number or serial number of the vehicle and the overweight permit number. The vehicle must have a valid overweight permit for at least the minimum permitted weight. If the vehicle is both oversize and overweight, the vehicle must have a valid oversize and overweight permit. If the vehicle arrives at the scale without authorization, if the vehicle does not match the license number or serial number provided by the truck permit office, or if the overweight permit number does not agree with the number provided; then the vehicle shall be fined by the usual procedure.

5. Permits must be obtained before movement of an oversize or overweight vehicle or load begins or before the vehicle enters Louisiana.

6. The original of a permit must be in the vehicle for which it was issued; Xerox copies are not acceptable except in the case of permits transmitted through the wire services. Permits should always be filled out in ink.

7. The types of acceptable payment for oversize and overweight permits can be found in §307. B 3

B. Permit Authority

1. Permits are issued at the truck permit office, and officials at this office have final authority on which vehicles or loads will be granted permits. The truck permit office also has the final authority on the disposition of any vehicles or loads which have or require a permit.

2. Hours at the truck permit office are: Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 5 a.m. to 12 noon; Sunday and holidays, closed.

3. Routine permits are not issued after office hours.

4. The WATS telephone number of the truck permit office will be provided to all WASP officers. In emergencies which occur when the office is closed, use (225) 343-2345.

5. The Office of State Police and state police troop commanders have the authority to prohibit the movement of vehicles with permits or override permit office instructions in hazardous driving conditions or in emergencies. This may be done by radio contact.

La. Admin. Code tit. 73, § I-301

Promulgated by the Department of Transportation and Development, Office of Highways, LR 5:35 (February 1979).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 32:2 et seq.