A Louisiana defensive driving course can help a person convicted of a misdemeanor traffic violation get their ticket dismissed. However, in order to qualify, motorists must not have undergone this type of training within the past two years. Moreover, because these courses are not open to the public, drivers must receive a referral in order to attend. On the other hand, drivers who wish to enhance their knowledge of safe driving can elect to take a course through a private-party education provider.

An LA defensive driving class may be taken online or in person. At the completion of the program, students are awarded a certificate of completion, which must be presented to the court to satisfy the requirement for ticket dismissal. Below, you will learn the importance of traffic school, how it can help and how to register.


Who can attend traffic school in Louisiana?

A Louisiana defensive driving course is open to licensed motorists convicted of a misdemeanor traffic violation in the state. To become eligible, drivers must not be currently taking the training or have completed these classes in the past two years.

The court-mandated LA traffic school program is not open to the general public. However, motorists may elect to take a safety program offered by a third-party education provider. To attend, motorists only need to register and pay for any required fees. Students should note that not all third-party programs are approved by the state to fulfill the ticket dismissal requirement. As such, it is important for motorists to verify which programs they qualify for.

Types of Defensive Driving Courses in Louisiana

In LA, a defensive driving course may be completed online or in person at an approved provider. In the state, these classes must be at least 6 hours long. Furthermore, many online providers allow students to complete the training in a timeframe that suits their schedule.

Classroom vs. Online Traffic School in Louisiana

Motorists may take a Louisiana defensive driving course online to satisfy court requirements. The online training gives students the flexibility to take the training at a comfortable pace. They may elect to complete the class in one setting or take several sessions to complete the assignment. In general, online coursework is delivered in the form of videos, slideshows, animations and quizzes.

On the other hand, drivers may attend traffic school in a classroom setting. In this case, residents must take the class at the dates and times established by the course provider. Students are guided through the course by a trained instructor. Overall, the defensive driving school coursework will consist of lectures, group discussions and workbook activities.

How to Enroll in a Louisiana Defensive Driving School

Most LA defensive driving schools allow students to register online. However, certain institutions may require drivers to call ahead in order to reserve a spot in a class. Motorists who wish to take training online must create an account with the particular online course provider. To create an account, students must provide their full name, date of birth and email address. Then, drivers will be required to pay a fee to enroll in the program.

Benefits of Completing Traffic School in Louisiana

Students who take a Louisiana defensive driving class increase their chances of having a traffic ticket dismissed significantly. Additionally, motorists may avoid auto insurance rate increases associated with their traffic violations. Additional benefits include:

  • Dismissing a traffic ticket
  • Avoiding increases on auto insurance premiums
  • Learning safe driving knowledge and skills

Dismiss a Traffic Ticket

The state may suspend the sentence of drivers with a first-time misdemeanor charge if they attend traffic school in Louisiana. Upon completion of the training, the ticket may be dismissed.

Avoid Increases on Your Auto Insurance Premiums

Once a driver completes a driver improvement course in LA, the court notates on their driving record that the training was completed. However, per Louisiana law, insurance companies are not permitted to use this information to raise premiums or cancel a driver’s insurance.

Learn Safe Driving Knowledge and Skills

Traffic school programs benefit all drivers. Students who complete this training learn the skills needed to make smart decisions while driving and protect themselves and others on the road.

Louisiana Defensive Driving Class Curriculum Details

In Louisiana, defensive driving courses cover a broad range of topics designed to help residents become more responsible drivers. Each class covers LA traffic laws, road etiquette, defensive driving and collision avoidance techniques. In the state, training must also cover railroad and highway grade crossing safety.

Louisiana Defensive Driving Certificates

The court requires drivers to provide an LA defensive driving certificate of completion to show that they have completed the program successfully. As a general rule, this certificate is used to satisfy the requirement for getting a traffic ticket dismissed. Motorists who take an online class receive their document immediately after passing the final exam, which may be printed out and presented to the court.

Louisiana Traffic School Versus Drivers Education

A Louisiana driving safety course helps drivers charged with minor traffic violations become safer motorists. The training is mandated by the state for all residents who wish to dismiss a traffic ticket. The training primarily uses lectures and workbook exercises to convey the material. As such, be mindful that there is no practical driving portion during the program.

As a general rule, drivers education programs differ from traffic school. Driver’s ed is a form of training that aims at teaching new and unlicensed residents how to obtain their first driving credential. As an example, driver’s education classes teach new drivers about the mechanics of driving and focus on helping motorists learn basic safe driving skills. The state requires driver’s ed for all drivers who wish to get a drivers license. Unlike an LA DMV traffic school, those who take drivers education must also complete several hours of supervised driving to pass the training.

Louisiana Defensive Driving Course Fees

In LA, defensive driving course fees vary depending on which class provider you choose. Fees for some of the cheapest traffic schools start at $24. Motorists who wish to take driver safety classes to have their ticket dismissed must typically pay a $10 administrative fee to the local courts.

Last updated on Wednesday, October 14 2020.