How to Apply for a Learners Permit in Louisiana
A Louisiana learners permit is a necessary requirement for eventually getting your drivers license, especially if you are 18 years of age or younger. This is because Louisiana participates in a Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) program that requires those younger than 18 years of age to complete steps in order to get a driver license after gaining valuable experience and practice.
The first step of this program is to obtain a learners permit from the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) in Louisiana. The permit is a card that allows you to practice driving when you are accompanied by a responsible and licensed adult.
Once you get your drivers learners permit, you are required to follow certain rules and restrictions while also gaining driving practice hours. After you have held your permit for at least 180 days if you are 15 or 16 years of age, you can then move on to obtaining an intermediate license, and then a full license.
However, be aware that there are a few eligibility requirements set in place for getting a Louisiana learning permit, and those include being at least 15 years of age and a Louisiana resident. To learn more, continue reading.
Did you know? 7 out of 10 drivers fail the driver’s knowledge test on the first try. Users who take our learners permit practice test significantly increase their chances of passing the Louisiana written exam on the first try.
Louisiana Learners Permit Eligibility Guidelines
There are a few drivers permit requirements that you must be aware of before you apply for a permit.
These requirements specifically include that you must:
- Be at least 15 years of age.
- Be a Louisiana resident.
- Be lawfully present in the country.
- Have completed a driver education course appropriate for your age.
- Pass a vision screening.
- Pass a knowledge test.
- Be enrolled in and attending school.
Although you do not need to be a U.S. citizen in order to qualify for a drivers permit in Louisiana, you do need to prove that you are legally present in the United States. In addition, you will need to provide a completed Certificate of Required Attendance from your school office or a Home Study Approval Notification Letter if you are home schooled.
How to Apply for a Learners Permit in Louisiana
When you apply for a learner permit, you are required to provide the necessary documentation and pass all required tests. Consequently, it is crucial that you understand what is required of you before you visit the Louisiana OMV so that you are prepared.
Knowing where to get your LA learners permit is important when you are applying. Also, if you are wondering how to get your driving permit online, understand that there are no online options available because you must apply in-person at a Louisiana OMV office.
Getting a learners permit is not overly complicated. You must simply follow these steps:
- Visit a Louisiana OMV location.
- Present your certified birth certificate.
- Present your Social Security number.
- Provide a certificate of successful completion of a 38 Hour Drivers Education Course.
- Provide a completed Certificate of Required Attendance form obtained from your school office if you are younger than 18 years of age.
- Have your parent or legal guardian accompany you with a picture ID if you are younger than 18 years of age.
- Pass a vision screening.
- Pass a written knowledge exam.
- Pay the applicable permit fees.
The Louisiana Drivers Permit Test
A necessary part of getting your permit includes passing the OMV permit test when you apply. The learners permit test, also referred to as the written knowledge test, is an examination that shows how well you understand traffic laws and safe driving practices in Louisiana.
The information included in the test is found in the Louisiana Class E & D Drivers Guide. Therefore, it is crucial that you study the guide thoroughly in order to pass the exam.
The test is only available at Louisiana OMV offices. If you are wondering what to bring to the permit test, you must bring proper identification with you in order to take the exam.
In addition to studying the guide, taking a Louisiana drivers permit practice test is another helpful option that you may want to consider. An OMV practice permit test can be a great resource when you are studying.
This is because the learners permit practice test can help you to get familiar with the format of the test while also learning the material. It is required that you achieve at least an 80% on the exam in order to pass.
Louisiana Driving Permit Rules and Restrictions
Become familiar with the driving permit rules and restrictions that are in place before you start driving with your permit. The various learners permit rules are set in place for permit-holders in order to help them practice driving in a safe environment. Not abiding by these restrictions may cause you to face serious consequences.
“Who can you drive with a Louisiana permit?” is a very important question to consider. In Louisiana, there are very clear regulations regarding who you may have in the car with you when you drive with a permit. You are only authorized to drive with a licensed adult who is at least 21 years of age or a licensed sibling who is at least 18 years of age.
There are no permit driving hours that you must abide by. You can drive at any time as long as you are accompanied by a licensed adult who is at least 21 years of age or a licensed sibling who is at least 18 years of age.
If you are wondering, “How long does a learner’s permit last in Louisiana?” the answer is that once it is issued to you, your permit is valid for a period of six years.
Louisiana Learner Permit Fees
The permit cost in Louisiana may vary slightly from county to county depending on whether a $0.00 – $6.00 service fee is charged. Generally, the OMV permit price is as follows:
- Learners Permit: $32.25 – $38.25.
Sources
- Class E Learners Permit Requirements for Minors from expresslane.dps.louisiana.gov
- What are the regulations for obtaining a learners permit? from expresslane.org
- Class D & E Drivers Guide from web01.dps.louisiana.gov