Louisiana Rules & Resources

Minors Driver Education (14 years and 9 months to 17 years)

All students enrolled in driver education must present a TIP to our driving school. You can obtain your TIP and the OMV. The cost of the TIP will be the cost of a regular license; however, no additional fee will be assessed when the student completes driver's education and returns to the office to obtain a learner's permit. Upon successful completion of driver's education, the TIP must be surrendered to OMV along with proof of successful completion of the appropriate driver's education course and any other necessary documents.

All applicants must successfully complete a driver education course. These courses are offered by driving schools licensed by the LA Department of Public Safety or some secondary schools and a list of schools in your area is available at www.expresslane.org. The courses offered for those applicants 15 to 17 years of age include 30 hours classroom and 8 hours behind the wheel instruction.

IDENTIFICATION

All minors must present the following documentation:

• A certified birth certificate or Louisiana identification card 
• Verification of your Social Security Number
• A certificate of Successful Completion from the driver education class attended
• Certificate of Required Attendance from the school attended
• A custodial parent or legal guardian must sign the application. The parent must present identification and legal guardians must also present legal documents verifying the guardianship. 

Non-immigrant alien - These applicants require additional information. See the "Non-Immigrant Aliens" handout for additional information.

NOTE: OMV does not accept photocopies of the documents listed above.

All applicants, ages 15 and 16, must participate in the graduated licensing program and must start with a learner's permit. The applicant is authorized to drive with a licensed parent, guardian, or adult at least 21 years of age, or a licensed sibling at least 18 years of age or older. The applicant must pass a vision and knowledge test. Complete information on the graduated licensing program is available at www.expresslane.org.

• Applicants (age 15) must maintain the learner's permit for a minimum of 180 days AND until they reach the age of 16 when they may apply for an intermediate license. 
• Applicants (age 16) must maintain the learner's permit for a minimum of 180 days. 
• Applicants (age 17) are eligible for either a learner's permit or a full license. In order to obtain a full license, the vision and road skills tests must be passed.

Tests must be completed before the issuance of a license. Study guides are available at www.expresslane.org.

LEARNER'S PERMIT

• Must pass a vision test with 20/40 in one or both eyes
• A minimum score of 80% is required on the 40 question test

FULL LICENSE

• Must pass vision and knowledge as stated above
• The skills test shall be administered by the driver education provider or the OMV. If the OMV is administering the skills test, the applicant must furnish a vehicle for the test. This vehicle should be one that the applicant is comfortable with. The vehicle must be currently licensed, inspected and insured. Proof of insurance and the vehicle registration should be presented upon application for the test.

FEES

• $32.25 - the basic license fee
• $6 - service fee may be accessed at certain field offices
• Cash and credit cards are acceptable forms of payment

NOTE: All male applicants between the ages of 15 and 26 who are US citizens will automatically be registered with the US Selective Service System upon issuance of any credential by the LA Office of Motor Vehicles. 

Adult Drivers Education (18 years and older)

You must complete a driver education or pre-licensing course if you have never been issued a driver's license. These courses are offered by driver education providers who are licensed by the LA Department of Public Safety. A list of area providers is available at www.expresslane.org.

The courses offered include: 

• 30 hours classroom instruction and 8 hours behind-the-wheel instruction OR 
• 6 hours pre-licensing classroom instruction and 8 hours behind-the-wheel instruction 

IDENTIFICATION

• One Primary Document such as a certified birth certificate, Louisiana ID card, current passport, or current military ID. 
• Verification of your Social Security Number is required. Acceptable verification includes your Social Security card, W2 form, or a print out from the Social Security Administration verifying the number. If you do not have a Social Security Number, a letter from the Social Security Administration must be presented. The number may also be given verbally. 
• You must also present one additional form of identification such as a photo work ID, high school diploma, insurance card, etc.

NOTE: OMV does not accept photocopies of the documents listed above.

Tests must be completed before the issuance of a license. Study guides are available at www.expresslane.org.

FULL LICENSE

• Must pass a vision test with 20/40 in one or both eyes
• A minimum score of 80% is required on the 40 question test
• The road skills test shall be administered by a licensed third-party provider. The vehicle for the road skills test must be currently licensed, inspected and insured. Present proof of insurance and the vehicle registration upon application for the road skills test if using a private vehicle. 

FEES AND DURATION

A 6-year expiration Class "E" licenses expire on your birthday in approximately 6 years from the date of issuance. Driver's license fees vary depending on the office location and the age of the applicant:

• $32.25 - the basic license fee until age 69 
• $18.75 - the license fee for applicants age 70 and older 
• $6 - service fee may be accessed at certain field offices
• Cash and credit cards are acceptable forms of payment

NOTE: All male applicants between the ages of 15 and 26 who are US citizens will automatically be registered with the US Selective Service System upon issuance of any credential by the LA Office of Motor Vehicles.