Louisiana DMV Cheat Sheet
A condensed study guide for the LA OMV written knowledge test — test logistics, plus the Louisiana-specific rules most likely to differ from what you already know. This isn't a substitute for the official Louisiana driver's manual, or for practicing the real questions. Looking for the core rules and signs that apply everywhere, not just Louisiana? Check the general driving theory cheat sheet instead.
40Questions
80%To Pass
$32.25 Learner's PermitFee
- Test length varies: Louisiana's knowledge test is computer-based and requires 80 percent correct to pass, but the Driver's Guide itself doesn't print a fixed total question count; this site's Louisiana practice test uses a 40-question sample size to match the state's published exam length.
- Fee: A Louisiana Learner's Permit or standard Class E license costs $32.25 total for a six-year term (R.S. 32:412, 412-1); a Class D chauffeur's license runs $54.75.
- Documents required:
- Identity, evidence of lawful US status, date of birth, and Social Security number
- At least two documents demonstrating your principal residence address
- Proof of vehicle liability insurance, if using your own vehicle for the road skills test
- A signed parent/guardian statement of 50 hours of supervised driving (15 at night) when upgrading a minor's permit to an intermediate license
- If you don't pass: The Driver's Guide does not print a mandatory waiting period or retest fee for a failed knowledge or road skills test -- if you fail the skills test and don't already have a permit, one may be issued so you can practice before returning to retest.
- Online testing: Some drivers are selected for driver's license renewal by mail or online instead of an in-person office visit, but the Guide notes you won't be selected for two consecutive renewal cycles in a row.
Louisiana-Specific Rules
Minor & Provisional Licensing
- A Learner's Permit (Stage 1) requires being at least 15 years old, completing 30 hours of classroom instruction and 8 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, passing the vision and knowledge tests at 80%, and being supervised only by a licensed adult at least 21 years old or a sibling at least 18 years old; the permit must be held at least 180 days.
- Upgrading to an Intermediate license at 16 requires a signed parent/guardian statement confirming at least 50 hours of supervised driving, including at least 15 hours of nighttime driving.
- An Intermediate license (Stage 2) bars unsupervised driving 11 p.m.-5 a.m. (unless with a licensed adult at least 21 years old or a sibling at least 18 years old) and caps non-family passengers under 21 at one between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m.; it must be held until the 17th birthday.
- A Full License (Stage 3) follows completing Stages 1 and 2, or is available immediately to anyone at least 17 years old at their first-ever license application.
- An applicant 18 or older who skipped the GDL program can still get a license after a 38-hour driver's ed course, or a shorter 6-hour pre-licensing course plus an 8-hour behind-the-wheel course (effective August 1, 2012).
- An out-of-state applicant at least 16 years old who has already held a license or permit at least 180 days may bypass Louisiana's learner's permit stage and go straight to an intermediate license.
Licensing Procedure & Documents
- The knowledge test is computer-based and requires 80% accuracy; the Guide doesn't print a fixed total question count.
- Vision screening requires at least 20/40 vision (corrected or uncorrected) and is not a medical exam.
- The road skills test is an automatic fail for a traffic law violation, a dangerous action, lack of cooperation, a collision, or cumulative minor mistakes.
- A Learner's Permit or standard Class E license costs $32.25 total; a Class D chauffeur's license is $54.75; a duplicate license is $17.00.
- A license expires six years from the holder's nearest birthday and can be renewed anytime within 180 days before that date, after passing the vision exam again.
- New residents have 30 days to get a Louisiana license; a vehicle registration address must be corrected within a separate, shorter window of 10 days after a move.
Vehicle Safety & Passenger Restraints
- Child passenger restraint requirements: rear-facing to age 2, forward-facing to age 4, booster with restraints to age 9, then a lap-shoulder belt -- and any child under 13 rides in the rear seat when available.
- A parent, guardian, or other legally responsible adult must ensure a child under 12 wears an approved helmet while riding or operating a bicycle.
Rules of the Road
- Drivers 17 or younger may not use a wireless device to call or text while driving anywhere on a Louisiana public road.
- No more than three people may occupy a moving vehicle's front seat; no one under 12 may ride in an open truck bed, and no one of any age may ride there on an interstate.
- Wearing a headphone in both ears at once while driving is illegal; one ear alone is allowed.
- Headlights (low beam) are required sunset to sunrise and anytime wipers are needed; dim to low beam within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and 200 feet of a vehicle you're following.
- A turn signal must be given continuously for at least 100 feet before turning.
- Travel in a shared center left-turn lane is capped at 200 feet, and the lane is only for preparing to turn left.
- At a railroad crossing where a stop is required, stop within 50 feet but no closer than 15 feet of the nearest rail (R.S. 32:171).
- Stop at least 30 feet from a loading school bus; opposite-direction traffic is excused only by a real physical divider or a four/five-lane divided roadway, not by a shared center turn lane alone.
- Parking is banned within 15 feet of a fire hydrant and 50 feet of a railroad crossing (R.S. 32:143); parallel-parked right wheels must be within 18 inches of the curb.
- Complete a pass before coming within 100 feet of an oncoming vehicle, and never pass within 100 feet of an intersection, railroad crossing, bridge, or tunnel.
- Leaving a vehicle unattended legally requires stopping the motor, locking the ignition, removing the key, and setting the brake (R.S. 32:141(D), the "Move It, Steer It Clear" law).
- Approaching a stopped emergency vehicle on a multi-lane road, change lanes away from it if you safely can; if you can't, slow to a reasonably safe speed instead.
- Simple littering runs $150 or 8 hours of community service on a first offense, up to $900 or 20 hours on a second (R.S. 30:2531); drivers are liable for litter that leaves their own vehicle or truck bed.
Sharing the Road
- Leave at least a 4-second gap behind a motorcycle and 4-5 seconds behind a truck in good conditions -- more in poor weather.
- Passing a slower bicyclist requires a minimum distance of three feet (R.S. 32:76.1).
- A loaded tractor-trailer at 55 mph needs a minimum of 290 feet to stop on a clear, dry road.
- Enter a roundabout at about 15-20 mph, yielding to circulating traffic and to any vehicle arriving on your right at the same time.
DUI & Alcohol
- Legal BAC limits: 0.08% for drivers 21+, 0.02% for drivers under 21, and 0.04% for commercial drivers.
- A first DWI conviction's maximum penalties: six months in jail, a $1,025 fine plus court costs, and a one-year license loss.
- Refusing a chemical test under implied consent suspends driving privileges 365 days on a first refusal, 730 days on a second or later refusal.
- A submitted test result of 0.08%-0.149% BAC (21+) brings a 180-day suspension; 0.15% or higher brings a two-year suspension.
- Vehicular homicide (R.S. 14:32.1) carries a $2,000-$15,000 fine and five to 30 years' imprisonment, with at least one year mandatory.
Rules and fees change — always confirm current details with LA OMV before your exam. Cheat sheet v1.0, last checked 2026-08-01.