Drivers Permits in Louisiana

Louisiana Learner's Permits

Getting your learner's permit is the first stage of Louisiana's graduated driver's licensing (GDL) program for teen drivers.

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) has several licensing levels in its GDL program, which is designed to teach you the skills necessary to be a responsible driver.

This page gives you information about your learner's permit and the steps you need to take to obtain your first driver's license.

REAL ID Requirements in Louisiana

The Louisiana OMV complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005, meaning it provides first-time driver license applicants with REAL ID-compliant driver licenses. REAL ID driver’s licenses meet the federal identification requirements required for tasks such as entering federal buildings and boarding domestic commercial flights. Without a REAL ID, you'll need to bring your passport or birth certificate for such activities after May 3, 2023.

New applicants will automatically receive a REAL ID, unless you specifically indicate on the application that you don't want one. (Options differ for renewals and replacements.) For more details, visit the OMV's guide to REAL ID licensing.

New to Louisiana?

You have 30 days to transfer your out-of-state learner's license or driver's license once you become a resident of Louisiana.

Since the Louisiana GDL program may differ from your previous state's program, contact the OMV directly to determine which learner's permit or driver's license you can apply for.

The Louisiana OMV also requires you to complete Driver’s Ed to get a learner's permit. Check with the LA OMV to see whether you can get credit for your out-of-state Driver's Ed course.

When you apply for your LA driver's license or learner's permit, you'll need to surrender your out-of-state driver's license.

To apply for a LA learner's permit, see “LA Learner's Permit Requirements" below. For more information about applying for a driver's license, see our Applying for a New License (Drivers 18+) in Louisiana page.

LA Learner's Permit Requirements

To be eligible for a Louisiana learner's permit, you must:

  • Be at least 15 years old.
  • Have completed an approved driver's education class consisting of BOTH:
    • 30 hours of classroom time.
    • 8 hours of driving time.
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Apply for Your Louisiana Learner's Permit

You must apply for a learner's permit in person at a Louisiana OMV office. You will need:

  • Proof of your identity and residency. A detailed list of accepted documents is available on the OMV website, as well as REAL ID-compliant documents.
  • A Driver's Ed certificate of completion.
  • A Certificate of Required School Attendance Form.
    • You can obtain this from your school.
  • A completed application form.
    • Your parent or guardian must sign the application and have identification.
  • Payment for the $32.25 fee, plus the local fee of up to $8.
    • Payable by cash, E-check, money order, debit card, or credit card.
      • NOTE: Additional fees apply for debit, credit, and E-check payments.
  • To pass a vision screening.
  • To pass the written knowledge test/permit test.

Taking the Louisiana Written Permit Test

You have to get a score of 80% or higher on the written knowledge test to get your learner's permit.

The test has 40 questions in multiple-choice form. The questions cover topics including:

  • Louisiana traffic laws.
  • Safe driving.
  • Traffic signs.
  • Driver's license rules.
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If you want to prepare fro the written test the OMV suggests studying theLouisiana Driver Manual. Our suggestion is to try an online practice test before heading to the DMV to determine if you're ready for your written exam.

Learner's Permit Driving Restrictions

With your Louisiana learner's permit, you can ONLY drive while supervised by a license driver. The supervising driver must be:

  • At least 21 years old.
    OR
  • A sibling who is at least 18 years old.

Behind-the-Wheel Requirements

You are required to log 50 hours of supervised driving while you have your learner's permit. You must complete these hours before you can move on to your intermediate driver's license.

The hours must:

  • Be supervised by a parent, guardian, or licensed driver who is 21 years old or older.
  • Include 15 hours of driving at night.
  • Be verified by your parent or guardian when you apply for your intermediate driver's license.

Learn more about supervised practice from our Driver's Training in Louisiana page.

LA Intermediate Driver's License

You can apply for an intermediate driver's license once you:

  • Have held your learner's permit for at least 180 days.
  • Turn 16 years old.
  • Complete 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including 15 hours at night.

For more information about the application process and completing the GDL program, see our page Applying for a New License (Teen Drivers) in Louisiana.

If at this time, you decide that you would like to get the REAL ID, make sure you bring with you to the OMV proof of:

  • Identity.
  • Date of Birth.
  • Lawful Status.
  • Social Security Number.
  • Proof of residence (you will need multiple documents).

You can take a look at the OMV’S website to see a full list of acceptable documents.

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