Frequently Asked Questions

Residents of Louisiana who are applying for a motorcycle endorsement to be added to their driver s license are not required to pass a motorcycle training course. However, it is recommended by the Louisiana OMV that drivers complete “Department of Public Safety, Motorcycle Safety, Awareness and Operators Training Program” prior to application. Completing the program will allow the driver to be exempt from both the skills and written tests that are required for drivers who have not completed the program. To find out more information about motorcycle knowledge and skills tests, refer to the Louisiana Motorcycle Manual.

For more information: How to Apply for a Motorcycle License in Louisiana

Louisiana motorcycle drivers are required by state law to wear a Department of Transportation-compliant helmet at all times when operating a motorcycle. Additionally, when applying for a motorcycle endorsement and taking the road portion of the skills test, a helmet is also required. Helmets are also required for all drivers under 18 engaging in off-road driving as well.

For more information: How to Apply for a Motorcycle License in Louisiana

CDL license holders must visit either a local Louisiana CDL Issuance Office(if they have a Hazardous Materials endorsement and wish to retain it) or a local Louisiana CDL Renewal Office to renew their CDL license. This is due to the number of documents that must be presented during the CDL license renewal process, including:

• CDL Medical Examiner s Certificate
• Driver s license
• Proof of insurance
• License fee of $41 (fees may vary)

For more information: CDL Commercial Drivers License Application

No, you cannot take the DMV test online. At the OMV office, residents will be required to submit a number of required documents as well as have a parent or guardian sign off on the learners permit application (if the applicant is a minor).

For more information: Learner’s Permits for Beginner Drivers in Louisiana

Louisiana residents in possession of a CDL license are required by Federal Law to submit self-certification forms classifying themselves as one of the following:

• Interstate non-excepted: Interstate drivers who must meet the Federal Department of Transportation medical card requirements
• Interstate excepted: Interstate drivers who do not need to meet the Federal Department of Transportation medical card requirements
• Intrastate non-excepted: Intrastate drivers who must meetLouisiana medical requirements
• Intrastate excepted: Intrastate drivers who do not need to meet Louisiana medical requirements

Certain industries are excluded from medical requirements for interstate or intrastate travel. To see the details of excepted and non-excepted interstate and intrastate travel, refer to the CDL License Self-Certification Requirements Handbook.

For more information: CDL Commercial Drivers License Application

Louisiana residents who own and operate scooters and mopeds legal to drive on major road ways must get a motorcycle endorsement on their driver s license to operate the vehicles on the road. According to Louisiana state regulations, all drivers must pass a written knowledge test and skills test that is representative of the type of vehicle the resident will be operating under the motorcycle endorsement. Residents who have successfully completed a motorcycle safety course and provide documentation proving this are exempt from the knowledge and skills test.

For more information: How to Apply for a Motorcycle License in Louisiana

In Louisiana, residents applying for learners permits are required to take a driver education course to receive a permit to drive:

• Younger than 18: You must complete a 38-hour driver education course with 30 hours of classroom instruction and eight hours of road instruction.
• 18 years of age: You must take a 14-hour pre-licensing course with six hours of classroom instruction and eight hours of road instruction.

Drivers must pass these courses before they can move on to the next stage of the licensure process. Certificate of completion is then submitted at a local Louisiana OMV office at the time of test taking.

For more information: Learner’s Permits for Beginner Drivers in Louisiana

Former active members of the military may be eligible for a veteran designation on ID cards. To be eligible, veterans must have received an honorable discharge from the military and present one of the following documents:

• Uniformed Services Identification Card
• Report of Separation
• Discharge Certificate
• Honorable Discharge Certificate
• General Discharge Certificate
• Certificate in Lieu of Lost or Destroyed Discharge
• Standard Statement of Service
• Enlisted Record and Report of Separation General Discharge

There is no fee for the veteran designation if the resident surrenders his or her current ID card. If the ID card is up for renewal or the veteran is requesting a duplicate, then there will be an associated fee.

For more information: How to Apply for a Louisiana Identification Card

Residents of Louisiana who would like to apply for a Commercial Driver s License (CDL) must do so in person at a local Louisiana CDL Issuance Office. Residents will need to bring to the OMV the following items:

• Valid class E driver s license
• Supplemental Application Form for CDL License Application
• CDL License Physical Examination Form
• Proof of insurance
• Proof of Social Security Number
• Application fee of $15 (fees may vary)
• License fee of $41 (fees may vary)

CDL license applicants will be required to take a vision, written and skills test. After passing the tests, the applicants will be issued a 60-day learner s permit. At the end of this period, the driver will be given the appropriate documentation to receive their CDL license.

For more information: CDL Commercial Drivers License Application

Learner s permits in Louisiana allow residents to practice their driving skills legally and safely while accompanied by a licensed driver.Learners permit applications must be submitted in person at a local Louisiana OMV office. To apply for a learners permit in Louisiana, residents must provide proof of residency and proof of legal presence in the country. Additionally, residents must provide a certified copy of their birth certificate and Social Security verification.

Beginning drivers must also have taken the corresponding driver education course for their age group:

• Younger than 18: You must complete a 38-hour driver education course with 30 hours of classroom instruction and eight hours of road instruction.
• 18 years of age: You must take a 14-hour pre-licensing course with six hours of classroom instruction and eight hours of road instruction.

Once the driversed courses are completed, you must pass a vision and knowledge test. For minors, proof of school enrollment must be shown (or a Home Study Approval Notification Letter if home-schooled). A parent or guardian must be present for children under 17. The fee for a learners permit is $21.50 (fees may vary).

For more information: Learner’s Permits for Beginner Drivers in Louisiana

In Louisiana, drivers have a motorcycle endorsement added to their existing class E drivers license. To obtain a motorcycle endorsement, visit a local Louisiana OMV office with a valid drivers license and proof of insurance. Motorcycle license endorsement applicants must pass a vision test in addition to any tests that may take place in lieu of a motorcycle training course.

Applicants are urged to complete the “Department of Public Safety, Motorcycle Safety, Awareness and Operators Training Program” prior to applying for a motorcycle endorsement. Those who do not are required to take a knowledge test and skills test. To study for the knowledge and skills tests, refer to the Louisiana Motorcycle Manual.

Fees for motorcycle endorsements are $16 (fees may vary; additional local fees may apply).

For more information: How to Apply for a Motorcycle License in Louisiana

Residents of Louisiana who have misplaced or damaged their ID cards or had their ID cards stolen must apply for a duplicate ID cardin person at a local Louisiana OMV office. Residents should bring with them the damaged ID card and the duplicate ID card fee (fees may vary). If the ID card has been lost or stolen, or if it is damaged to the point of being illegible, the resident must bring either one primary identification document and one secondary, or three secondary documents.

For more information: How to Apply for a Louisiana Identification Card

In Louisiana, there is no renewal process for the learners permit. Drivers under 17 in possession of a learners permit must have a learners permit for at least six months and be at least 16 years old before they will be allowed to receive an intermediate drivers license. Once the beginning driver has turned 17, he or she will be able to take the road test to graduate from an intermediate license to a full unrestricted license. Unrestricted driver s licenses are valid for four years from the issue date.

For more information: Learner’s Permits for Beginner Drivers in Louisiana

Louisiana residents with expiring ID cards canrenew ID cards online or in person (out-of-state residents should contact the Louisiana OMV to find out how they can apply for ID cards by mail). To renew ID cards online, visit the OMV website with their mail-in renewal invitation and expiring ID card. To renew ID cards in person, visit a local Louisiana OMV office with the expiring ID card and the $21 ID card renewal fee (fees may vary).

For more information: How to Apply for a Louisiana Identification Card

Residents of Louisiana wondering about the status of their Medical Examiner s report with regards to their CDL license may check the status of their Medical Inquiry online at the Louisiana OMV website. Drivers with Medical Examiner s Certificate that are about to expire must make another appointment with a Medical Examiner to have an examination. Once the examination is over, the Medical Examiner must fill out another CDL License Physical Examination Form as well as the Medical Examiner s Certificate at the end of the form.

For more information: CDL Commercial Drivers License Application

Drivers in Louisiana who have motorcycle endorsements on their driver s licenses will renew the motorcycle endorsement at the same time they renew their driver s license. To renew driver s licenses, visit a local Louisiana OMV officeor use the renewal invitation letter sent in the mail by the Louisiana OMV to apply for a renewal online or by mail:

• Online driver s license renewals can be completed through the Louisiana OMV website.
• Mailed applications should be sent to the address provided on the invitation letter.
• In-person driver s license renewals will require the driver to provide either a current Louisiana driver s license or a combination of one primary identification document and one secondary (can also substitute three secondary documents). Additional required documents include:
  • Social Security number
  • Proof of insurance
  • Renewal fee of $24.50, $15.50 for drivers 70 or older (fees may vary)

A $15 late fee is assessed to all driver s licenses that have been expired for more than 10 days.

For more information: How to Apply for a Motorcycle License in Louisiana

Military members in Louisiana can have a motorcycle endorsement added to their existing class E drivers license using the same process as non-military members. To obtain a motorcycle endorsement, visit a local Louisiana OMV office with a valid drivers license and proof of insurance. Motorcycle license endorsement applicants must pass a vision test in addition to any tests that may take place in lieu of a motorcycle training course.

Applicants are urged to complete the “Department of Public Safety, Motorcycle Safety, Awareness and Operators Training Program” prior to applying for a motorcycle endorsement. Those who do not are required to take a knowledge test and skills test. To study for the knowledge and skills tests, refer to the Louisiana Motorcycle Manual.

Fees for motorcycle endorsements are $16 (fees may vary; additional local fees may apply).

For more information: How to Apply for a Motorcycle License in Louisiana

Residents with learners permits who would like to move up to an unrestricted license must go through a couple of steps first. Drivers with learners permits must wait at least six months or until they are 16 years old (whichever period is longer). Residents must also provide documentation from a parent or guardian proving that they have 50 hours behind-the-wheel time, including 15 hours at night. At that point, drivers younger than 17 are eligible for the intermediate driver s license, which has less restrictions than a learner s permit. Drivers 17 and older who have held a learner s permit for at least six months are eligible for a full unrestricted drivers license after passing the road test.

For more information: Learner’s Permits for Beginner Drivers in Louisiana

Louisiana residents who would like to obtain an ID card can do so in person (for initial, renewal or duplicate ID cards) by mail (if out of state) or online (if renewal ID card). How residents apply for ID cards determines how long it takes for them to receive it. To apply for ID cards in person at a local Louisiana OMV office, applicants will receive ID cards the same day. When renewing ID cards online or by mail, you will receive a new ID card within 10 business days.

For more information: How to Apply for a Louisiana Identification Card

ACDL licenseis valid for four years. Once there are 180 days left until the expiration date, residents are eligible to renew their CDL license. To renew a CDL license, drivers must visit either a local Louisiana CDL Issuance Office(if they have a Hazardous Materials endorsement and wish to retain it) or a local Louisiana CDL Renewal Office. When submitting a renewal CDL application, residents should bring the following with them:

• CDL Medical Examiner s Certificate
• Driver s License
• Proof of insurance
• License fee of $41 (fees may vary)

For more information: CDL Commercial Drivers License Application

Residents of Louisiana who are temporarily out of state or active military members stationed out of state are eligible to renew or replace ID cards through the mail. To check eligibility for mailed ID cards, call the Louisiana OMV at 225-925-6146. To apply through the mail, residents will need to print and fill out a Temporarily Residing Out of State Application for Reconstructed Duplicate/Renewal License/ID Card form and submit it along with copies of a primary identification document and a secondary identification document. The application, supporting documents and ID card fee should be mailed to the following address:

Office of Motor Vehicles

Attention: Reconstructed License

P.O. Box 64886

Baton Rouge, LA, 7089

ID cards will arrive by mail within 10 business days.

For more information: How to Apply for a Louisiana Identification Card

To apply for aCDL license, youmust be at least 18 years old. The only exception to this concerns drivers who want to add a Hazardous Materials endorsement on their CDL licenses. Drivers with a Hazardous Materials endorsement must be over 21. To apply for a CDL license, visit a local Louisiana OMV office.

For more information: CDL Commercial Drivers License Application

For Louisiana residents, the age restrictions on motorcycle endorsements are the same as age restrictions for regular class E driver s licenses. Drivers under seventeen must go through the graduated driver s licensing program s learner s permit and intermediate license before they turn 17, pass their road exam and receive an unrestricted driver s license. Once the unrestricted license is received, residents may then apply for a motorcycle endorsement.

For more information: How to Apply for a Motorcycle License in Louisiana

In Louisiana, drivers in possession of a CDL license may add certain endorsements to their commercial drivers licenses to expand the amount of tasks they can complete. Available endorsements include:

• Tendorsement Double or Triple Trailers
• P endorsement Passenger Vehicles
• N endorsement – Tank Vehicles
• Hendorsement – Hazardous Materials (must be 21 or over)
• X endorsement – Combination Tank Vehicles and Hazardous Materials
• M endorsement – Motorcycle
• S endorsement – School Bus

To apply for a CDL license endorsement, inquire at the OMV office where the renewal CDL applicationwill be filled out.

For more information: CDL Commercial Drivers License Application

Depending on the county within Louisiana and whether or not the resident is getting a new ID card, a replacement or a renewal, resident ID card fees vary. Fees for new ID cards are $21. For ID card renewals, the fee will be listed on the mail renewal invitation sent out prior to the ID card expiration date, and is typically also $21. Replacement ID card fees are also $21, though there may be added fees depending on the county. ID cards that are renewed past the expiration date are also subject to a late registration fee as outline by the Louisiana OMV.

For more information: How to Apply for a Louisiana Identification Card

Drivers in Louisiana in possession of restricted learners permits must abide by certain restrictions. Learners permit drivers must be accompanied at all times by a licensed parent, guardian or other adult 21 or older. Drivers may substituted the adult 21 or over with a licensed sibling who is over 18. Once a driver has graduated to the intermediate license, they may driver a vehicle without an adult between the hours of 5 a.m. and 11 p.m. Outside of those hours, a licensed adult over 21 (or a licensed sibling over 18) must accompany the driver.

For more information: Learner’s Permits for Beginner Drivers in Louisiana

Residents of Louisiana who are looking to apply for a CDL must do so in person at a local Louisiana CDL Issuance Office. One of the requirements residents must meet before receiving a CDL license is to be medically certified by an approved medical examiner. To do so, residents must take a CDL License Physical Examination Form to an approved medical examiner and have them fill out the form and the Medical Examiner s Certificate at the end of the form. From there, bring the form and certificate to the OMV office to have the records updated. Drivers must carry a copy of the Medical Examiner s Certificate with them at all times when driving a commercial vehicle.

For more information: CDL Commercial Drivers License Application

If you have a learner s permit and receive a number oftraffic tickets, you will not be able to get an unrestricted drivers license in the timeframe that was expected. Additionally, drivers with learner s permits who violate the restrictions of driving with a learner s permits (like times of day restrictions and accompanying driver requirements) could lose their driving privileges.

For more information:Learner’s Permits for Beginner Drivers in Louisiana

In Louisiana, there is no distinction between a two-wheel and three-wheel motorcycle. During the motorcycle endorsement application process, drivers will need to pass the “Department of Public Safety, Motorcycle Safety, Awareness and Operators Training Program,” pass another approved motorcycle course or pass the road skills test at a local Louisiana OMV office (along with the motorcycle written knowledge exam if no safety course was taken). While taking the road test, drivers are required to supply their own vehicle a three-wheel motorcycle is accepted. If the driver passes the road test and the other motorcycle endorsement requirements, he or she will receive amotorcycle endorsement.

For more information: How to Apply for a Motorcycle License in Louisiana

When applying for a drivers permit, bring the following items:

• Proof of residency
• Proof of legal presence in the country
• Certificate of successful completion of 38-hour driving course (for 15 to 17 year olds) or 14-hour pre-licensing course
• Certified copy of birth certificate
• Social Security verification
• Certificate of required attendance from school office, or Home Study Approval Notification Letter if home-schooled (for minors)
• Method of payment for the $21.50 (fees may vary)

A parent or guardian must accompany minors who are applying for learners permits.

For more information: Learner’s Permits for Beginner Drivers in Louisiana

Residents of Louisiana who would like to apply for a motorcycle endorsement must provide a number of documents at the local Louisiana OMV office. Required documents include proof of insurance, a valid driver s license and a certificate of completion from the “Department of Public Safety, Motorcycle Safety, Awareness and Operators Training Program.” Residents who have not completed the motorcycle safety program must take both the motorcycle skills test and knowledge test. Fees for motorcycle endorsements are $16 (fees may vary; additional local fees may apply).

For more information: How to Apply for a Motorcycle License in Louisiana

Residents of Louisiana who would like to apply for a motorcycle license endorsement must do so in person at a local Louisiana OMV office. When applying, residents must bring their valid class E driver s license and proof of insurance. Additionally, drivers should bring a certificate of completion from an approved motorcycle safety course. Drivers who do not complete an approved course or the “Department of Public Safety, Motorcycle Safety, Awareness and Operators Training Program” will need to take and pass both a motorcycle written knowledge exam and the road skills test. For more information on the tests, refer to the Louisiana Motorcycle Manual.

For more information: How to Apply for a Motorcycle License in Louisiana

Residents of Louisiana who have been convicted of a DUI while in possession of a CDL license face harsher penalties than drivers with regular driver s licenses. While the legal limit for blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08 percent, the legal limit for CDL license holders is 0.04 percent. Drivers found to have a BAC higher than this while operating a commercial vehicle will have their CDL license suspended for a year (three years if transporting hazardous materials). For a second offense, CDL license holders will lose their drivers license for life. Drivers found with any detectable alcohol under 0.04 percent will have their driving privileges revoked for 24 hours.

For more information: CDL Commercial Drivers License Application

Louisiana residents without driver s licenses can apply for state-issued ID cards. Louisiana ID cards can be used to prove a resident s age and identity in the following situations:

• Voting
• Banking
• College enrollment
• Purchasing age-restricted items

Louisiana residents may apply for ID cards at any age, though residents under 17 must have a parent or guardian present when filling out the ID card application.

For more information: How to Apply for a Louisiana Identification Card

The written knowledge test is conducted at thelocal Louisiana OMV office where the driver is applying for their learners permit. Written knowledge tests include information on Louisiana traffic laws, safe driving techniques, traffic signs and driver rules. The test must be passed with a score of 80 percent or higher.

For more information: Learner’s Permits for Beginner Drivers in Louisiana

Louisiana residents applying for a learners permit must visit a local Louisiana OMV office to submit required documentation and also to take the required tests. Required tests for learners permits include both a vision test and a written knowledge test the passing score for the written is 80 percent. Additionally, depending on the age of the drivers, they must pass either a 38-hour driver course (for minors) or a 14-hour course, each with eight hours of road instruction and the rest classroom instruction.

For more information: Learner’s Permits for Beginner Drivers in Louisiana

Residents of Louisiana looking to apply for a CDL license must pass a number of tests to receive their CDL license. Tests include a written exam, skills test and vision test. The vision test is conducted at a local Louisiana OMV office. The written test(s) include a general knowledge test that must be taken by all driver s license applicants in the state, as well as a number of other tests reserved for certain CDL license endorsements such as:

• Passenger transport test for bus driver applicants
• Air brakes test for drivers operating commercial vehicles with air brakes
• Combination vehicles test if looking for a combination vehicle endorsement
• Hazardous Materials test if applicable
• Tanker test for applicants planning to pull liquid or liquid gas with 119 gallons or more in a permanently mounted cargo tank
• Doubles/Triples test for drivers pulling trailers
• School bus test

Additionally, CDL license applicants must pass a skills test which includes:

• Pre-trip vehicle inspection test
• Basic vehicle control test
• On-road test

For more information: CDL Commercial Drivers License Application

Louisiana ID cards are valid for four years from the issue date. Within 90 days of the expiration date, the Louisiana OMV will send out mail renewal invitations with instructions on how residents may renew ID cards. ID card renewals can be done either in person at a local Louisiana OMV office or online through the OMV website s online ID card renewal page. ID card renewal fees vary based on the county the resident lives in.

For more information: How to Apply for a Louisiana Identification Card

Residents of Louisiana looking to obtain ID cards can do so by visiting in persona local Louisiana OMV office. Initial ID cards cannot be obtained online or by mail. To apply for ID cards, residents must bring a combination of either two primary identification documents, or one primary identification documents and two secondary. The fee for an ID card is $17 (fees may vary).

For more information: How to Apply for a Louisiana Identification Card

Residents of Louisiana who would like to obtain a learners permit and are under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Applications for learners permit can be submitted in person at a local Louisiana OMV office. Parents or legal guardians must present valid photo ID when signing for the minor. If there is a case where joint custody is involved, the domiciliary parent is the only one allowed to sign. Fees for learners permit are $21.50 (fees may vary).

For more information: Learner’s Permits for Beginner Drivers in Louisiana