DOTD to issue special permits for transporting hay

Published 5:00 am Thursday, October 20, 2022

Baton Rouge, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced today that it will begin issuing special permits to vehicles transporting hay during the current federally declared drought emergency. § RS 32:387 (6) grants the DOTD Secretary the authority to issue special permits to vehicles transporting hay due to a disaster or emergency.

Permit fees will be $10 and will be valid for only as long as the declared drought emergency exists, not to exceed one year.

Restrictions that apply are the following:

a. Vehicles transporting hay bales loaded side by side shall not exceed 12 feet in width and 14 feet in height. All other weight and dimension restrictions and requirements still apply.

b. Travel is limited to daylight hours beginning at sunrise and ending at sunset and is limited by all no-movement requirements on certain holidays.

c. Vehicles must travel with the required signs and flags properly placed and indicating that they carry oversized loads.

d. Vehicles must be equipped with mirrors that allow drivers to have a clear view of the highway to least 200 feet to the rear of the vehicle.

e. Loads must be securely bound to the transporting vehicles.

f. Carriers, owners and drivers of any vehicle being operated are responsible for verifying in advance that the actual dimensions and weights of the vehicles and loads are acceptable for all routes being traveled.

g. It is the responsibility of the carriers, owners, and drivers to track the status of the declared emergencies. In the event the emergency expires prior to the one-year period, the owner, carrier, and driver shall be responsible for terminating use of the permit. Information regarding the status of declared emergencies and to obtain a special permit may call the DOTD Permit Office toll free at (800) 654-1433 or (225) 343-2345 for the Baton Rouge area.

h. No vehicle shall exceed weight limits posted for bridges and similar structures, or relieve any vehicle or carrier, owner or driver of any vehicle from compliance with any restrictions other than those specified, or from any statute, rule, order or other legal requirement.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is committed to delivering transportation and public works systems that enhance the quality of life. In addition to more than 16,600 miles of roadway, including over 890 miles of interstate, DOTD supports the development of the state’s aviation, marine and rail infrastructures. Through this work, we are able to facilitate economic development, create job opportunities, improve vital evacuation routes, and make critical freight corridors safer and more efficient.

For more information, please visit www.dotd.la.gov, email dotdcs@la.gov, or call DOTD’s Customer Service Center at (225) 379-1232 or 1-877-4LADOTD (1-877-452-3683). Business hours are 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please let us know how we may better serve you: Customer Service Survey.