Louisiana New Resident Guide

Graduated Licensing Program

Learner's Permit

Requirements

• Must have completed 38 hour state approved driver education
• Must pass driving knowledge test and vision test
• Must be at least 15

Privileges and Restrictions

• May only drive accompanied by a licensed driver over age 21
• May not use a wireless communication device while driving

Intermediate License

Requirements

• Must have held permit for at least 6 months
• Must have accumulated 50 hours of certified driving time, 15 of which must be at night
• Must pass road test
• Must be age 16 or older

Privileges and Restrictions

• May not drive unsupervised between 11 PM and 5 AM
• May not drive with more than one non-family passenger under age 21 between 6 PM and 5 AM
• A supervising adult must be a parent, guardian, or be at least 21 years old and have a valid license
• May not use a wireless communication device while driving

Unrestricted License

Requirements

• Must have held intermediate license for at least 12 months
• Must be at least age 17

Privileges and Restrictions

• If under 18 or a first-year driver, may not use a wireless communication device while driving

Insurance Requirements

The minimum requirements for auto insurance in Louisiana are 15/30/25. That is, in a single accident, the limits are:

• $15,000 for bodily injury to one person;
• $30,000 total for bodily injury;
• $25,000 for property damage.

Implied Consent Laws

Criminal

Not less than 10 days or more than 6 months and not less than $300 or more than $1,000.

Administrative

• Persons over 21 with no fatality or serious injury
• First refusal- Suspension 1 year (90 days mandatory)
• Second or subsequent refusal (within 5 years) - Suspension 2 years
• Any refusal related to either a fatality or serious bodily injury(where the trier of fact determines intoxication to be a contributing factor):
• First refusal - Suspension 1 year (mandatory)
• Second refusal - Suspension 2 years (mandatory)
• Refusal by Persons Under 21
• Suspension 180 days (90 days mandatory)

Open Container Law

Louisiana's open container law applies only to drivers and includes exceptions for:

• Any bottle, can, or other receptacle that contains a frozen alcoholic beverage unless the lid is removed, a straw protrudes therefrom, or the contents of the receptacle have been partially removed
• Any person operating or occupying a motor vehicle who is required to carry an open alcoholic beverage as a condition of and while acting in the course of employment, provided the person does not consume the beverages.

Construction Zone Penalties

Speeding violations when workers are present are subject to two times the original fine.

Hazard Light Information

Hazard light use is permitted for the purpose of warning other drivers of the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring the exercise of unusual care in approaching, overtaking or passing.

School Bus Laws

Requirements

• Vehicles are required to stop unless the bus is on the opposite roadway of a divided highway.
• Vehicles must stop at least 30 feet from the school bus.

Penalties

• Failure to stop and remain stopped when required will result in a $100 - $500 fine, up to 6 months imprisonment, or both. In addition, your driver's license will be suspended for 30 days.

Motorcycle Laws

Licensing

• There is no separate class of driver's license for motorcycle riders.
• To operate a motorcycle, a person must obtain an endorsement to his or her regular driver's license. An endorsement can be obtained by passing an operation skills test and a knowledge test. An operation skills test does not have to be taken if the applicant successfully completed the Department-approved Motorcycle Safety, Awareness, and Operation Training Program.
• Children: No operator shall carry or transport a child on a motorcycle who is required to be restrained in a rear-facing or forward-facing child safety seat. Children may be a passenger on a motorcycle only if he or she is over the age of 5 and is wearing a safety helmet.

Protective Gear

• All motorcycle riders must wear a properly equipped safety helmet.
• All motorcycle operators must wear protective eye gear, unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield of sufficient height to protect the operator's eyes.

Headlights

• Daytime use of headlight not required.

Sharing the Road

• Lane splitting is not authorized.
• Two motorcycles may travel side-by-side in a single lane.

Passing Laws

Do not pass:

• When approaching or upon a hill or curve;
• When approaching within 100 feet of or traversing any intersection or railroad grade crossing;
• When approaching within 100 feet of any bridge, viaduct, or tunnel.

When being passed:

• Give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle;
• The overtaking vehicle may signal by honking its horn;
• Do not increase the speed of your vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.

Safety Belt and Child Safety Seat Laws

Safety Belts

• Occupants 13 and older must use a safety belt.
• Police may stop vehicles solely for belt law violations.
• The fine for a first offense in Orleans Parish is $45. The fine for a first offense elsewhere is $25.

Child Seats

• Children who are younger than 1 year or less than 20 pounds must be in a child safety seat.
• Children who are 1 - 3 years or 20 - 39 pounds must be in a forward-facing child safety seat.
• Children who are 4 - 5 years or 40 - 60 pounds must be in a child booster seat
• Children who are 6 - 12 or greater than 60 pounds must be restrained, and may use an adult safety belt.
• Police may stop vehicles solely for child seat law violations.
• The fine for a first offense is $100.