louisiana driver information

Whether you're searching for Louisiana road laws, licensing info, or state trivia to share with your Mardi Gras float-mates, you can satisfy your Louisiana driving curiosities right here.

Driving in the Bayou State

Licensed drivers in Louisiana: 2,902,513

Moving to Louisiana

If you're new to the state, you have 30 days to exchange your out-of-state drivers license and registration for Louisiana license and registration. You can do this at your nearest Office of Motor Vehicles.

As long as your out-of-state license is valid, you'll have to retake a vision test but not a written or skills exam.

Speed limits

Since your driving record is a major factor in determining your car insurance rate, avoiding needless traffic tickets is good way to help control your premium. Here are some common limits to keep in mind as you hit the open road in Louisiana.

Rural portions of I-49	75 mph
All other rural interstates	70 mph
Urban interstates	70 mph
Multi-lane divided highways	70 mph
Other highways	65 mph

"Move-Over" law

If you see an emergency vehicle (such as police cars, ambulances, etc.) or a car with its emergency lights flashing stopped on the side of the road, you're required to move to the farthest lane and slow down to a safe speed. If you can't change lanes, slow to a safe speed as you pass.

Drunk driving in Louisiana

Each year, police officers make about 20,000 DWI arrests in Louisiana according to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. Despite their efforts, alcohol-related crashes still accounted for nearly half of all fatalities in 2009.

In Louisiana, drivers may be convicted of a DWI with a BAC of .08 percent. For those under 21, the legal limit is .02 percent.

Getting convicted of a first DWI can cost up to $4,500, a 90-day suspension of your drivers license, and up to 6 months in jail.

Distracted driving in Louisiana

All cell phone use is illegal for drivers under 18, and texting is banned for all drivers.

Growing up gulf: the student-driver process in Louisiana

Louisiana has 3 stages of graduated drivers licensing. Here's how it breaks down.

Stage 1: learners permit for 15- and 16-year-olds

To get a learners permit, here's what you'll need to do:

Complete 30 hours of classroom study (from any course approved by the Dept. of Education or the Dept. of Public Safety & Corrections)
Complete 8 hours of on-the-road training with a licensed instructor
Pass a written and vision test

Learners permit restrictions

Having a learners permit allows you to drive as long as you are accompanied by one of the following:

A parent or guardian who is 21 or older
A sibling who is 18 or older
A licensed drivers ed teacher

Stage 2: intermediate license

Those who meet the following requirements can enter stage 2:

Must be at least 16 years old
Have had a learners permit for at least 6 months
Complete 50 hours of behind-the-wheel training (15 at night) with a licensed adult who's at least 21 years old
Pass the road test

Intermediate license restrictions

Having an intermediate license allows you to drive on your own with the following restriction:

No driving at night (between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.) unless accompanied by a licensed parent/guardian or a sibling who's at least 18 years old

Stage 3: unrestricted drivers license

The above limitations no longer apply once drivers turn 17.

Teens 17 and up

If you're already 17 when starting the licensing process, you'll have to:

Complete a 38-hour drivers ed course or a 6-hour pre-licensing course
Pass a written and vision test

And once you pass the on-the-road test, you're allowed to drive with zero restrictions whatsoever. Hurray!