Truck insurance in Louisiana

What Louisiana requires of trucking companies

• USDOT number for trucks that stay in LouisianaLouisiana is not on FMCSA's list of states that require intrastate carriers to obtain a USDOT number. A compliance publisher reports that the state adopted the federal marking rule for intrastate vehicles over 26,000 lbs but does not enforce it, so carriers should confirm with Louisiana State Police. Source
• Louisiana operating authorityLouisiana does not issue operating authority for intrastate general freight. The Louisiana Public Service Commission certificates only for-hire household goods, waste and passenger carriers and non-consensual towing, and household goods movers must keep a permanent business location in Louisiana. Source
• Insurance minimums for intrastate carriersFor household goods carriers certificated by the LPSC, the minimums are $250,000 bodily injury per person, $500,000 per occurrence and $10,000 property damage, plus cargo insurance of $50,000 per truck and $100,000 per catastrophe, proof of workers' comp and a $5,000 surety bond. No separate state minimum for general freight was found. Source

Once a Louisiana truck crosses a state line

Federal rules add a USDOT number, MC authority and a $750,000 minimum for general freight (details). Louisiana is a UCR participating state.

Louisiana trucking taxes and permits

• DOTD oversize/overweight permitsLouisiana DOTD issues single-trip, monthly, semi-annual and annual oversize/overweight permits, and requires a certificate of insurance on file for permitted loads and liability, auto and workers' comp coverage for escort vehicles. Source
• LPSC identification stampsHousehold goods, waste and passenger carriers and tow operators under LPSC authority must carry a current LPSC identification stamp on a cab card in each vehicle, renewed every year. Source

Workers’ comp for Louisiana trucking companies

Louisiana employers, unless exempt by statute, must carry workers' comp insurance or be approved to self-insure, and it is illegal to make employees pay for the coverage. The Louisiana Workforce Commission's Office of Workers' Compensation enforces the requirement, and Louisiana is not a monopolistic state. Source

Where Louisiana trucks run

I-10 links Lake Charles, Lafayette, Baton Rouge and New Orleans along the petrochemical corridor, while I-12, I-20, I-49 and I-55 tie in Shreveport, Monroe and the north. The Port of South Louisiana, Port of New Orleans, Port of Baton Rouge and Port Fourchon make port drayage and oilfield hauling major segments. The busiest freight markets include New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lafayette, Lake Charles and Houma.

Louisiana's trucking is closely tied to Mississippi River ports, refineries, chemical plants and Gulf oilfield service, so hazmat, tank and oilfield hauling are common. General freight carriers need no state authority, but movers, waste haulers, passenger carriers and tow operators are regulated by the PSC.

Louisiana trucking by the numbers

From the public FEMA, NOAA, Storm Prediction Center, USGS and FMCSA records behind each linked report; ranks count all 50 states and Washington, DC unless noted.

Common questions

Sources

• Louisiana: USDOT number for intrastate carriers
• Louisiana: State operating authority
• Louisiana: Intrastate insurance minimums
• Louisiana: Workers’ compensation
• Louisiana: DOTD oversize/overweight permits
• FMCSA: Insurance filing requirements (49 CFR 387)
• Unified Carrier Registration

General information as of October 2026, not legal advice; confirm current rules with the agency.