Louisiana DMV Guide: Permit, License, and Road Test
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Earning your learner permit in Louisiana is a manageable process when you take it step by step. This guide covers eligibility, the documents you will need, the knowledge test, and what happens after you pass, all handled through the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV). Louisiana ties early licensing closely to driver education, so knowing how the pieces fit together helps you plan and avoid an extra visit.
Requirements, fees, and accepted documents can change, and offices may schedule appointments differently. Always confirm the current process with the Louisiana OMV or your local office before you go so you arrive with everything you need.
15
Permit age
40
Test questions
32 (80%)
To pass
$32.25
Permit fee
Step by step: getting your Louisiana permit
Step 1: Confirm you meet the age and education requirement
In Louisiana you can generally apply for a learner permit at 15, and at that age it is usually connected to an approved driver education course. Confirm the current age and course requirements before your visit so you know what your permit will allow and what paperwork to bring.
Step 2: Gather your documents
Louisiana asks you to prove your identity, your Social Security number, and your Louisiana residency. Applicants under 18 generally need a parent or guardian to provide consent in person, along with any driver education documents.
- Proof of identity such as a birth certificate or passport
- Proof of your Social Security number
- Documents showing Louisiana residency
- Parent or guardian consent and driver education proof if you are under 18
Step 3: Complete any required driver education
Younger Louisiana applicants typically must complete or be enrolled in an approved driver education program before a permit can be issued. Hold on to your enrollment or completion certificate, since the OMV will likely want to see it as part of your application.
Step 4: Pass the knowledge test
Take the 40-question written knowledge test and score at least 80 percent, which is 32 correct answers, to pass. Practicing with realistic questions beforehand makes the format familiar so you can focus on identifying the safest and most lawful answer.
Step 5: Pass the vision screening and pay the fee
Complete a brief vision screening and pay the permit fee. Bring corrective lenses if you use them. Once the requirements are satisfied, your learner permit is generally issued at the same visit.
After you pass the knowledge test
With your Louisiana learner permit you can practice driving while supervised by a qualifying licensed adult. Louisiana uses a graduated licensing system, so before advancing you will generally need to hold the permit for a required period and gain supervised experience, including driving at night. Keeping a record of your practice helps you meet the requirements for the next stage.
Tips for Louisiana new drivers
Practice in the conditions Louisiana actually has, including heavy rain, fog off the water, and long bridges and causeways. Learn to slow down on wet roads to avoid hydroplaning, increase your following distance, and never drive into water of unknown depth. Always carry your permit, keep your supervising adult beside you as required, and follow any passenger and nighttime restrictions that apply to your stage.
Louisiana permit and test fees
$32.25
Basic license fee for the Class E learner's permit under the graduated licensing program. There is no additional cost to convert a Temporary Instructional Permit (TIP) to a learner's permit or a full license.
Verified on the OMV Permits page: $32.25 basic license fee, up to a $6.00 service fee at certain field offices (counter total up to $38.25). Knowledge and road skills tests are administered by driver education providers, which charge their own course fees. Cash, check, or credit and debit cards accepted.
Louisiana permit restrictions and supervised driving
While you hold the permit
Supervised practice: At least 50 hours of supervised driving, with 15 of those hours at night
Hold period: Learner's permit must be held for a minimum of 180 days before the intermediate license
- Must be accompanied by a licensed parent, guardian, or adult at least 21, or a licensed sibling at least 18
- No cell phone use, including hands-free
- Issued after a 38-hour driver education course plus passing the vision and knowledge tests
After you upgrade (provisional/intermediate)
- Intermediate license holders may not drive between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless with a licensed parent/guardian, a licensed adult at least 21, or a licensed sibling at least 18
- Between 6:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., may not transport more than one passenger under 21 who is not an immediate family member unless accompanied by a licensed adult at least 21
- Drivers 17 and under are prohibited from talking or texting on a cell phone except for emergencies, and all passengers must be belted
Restriction details change. Confirm current rules with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles.
Louisiana road test requirements
Applicants pass a road skills test with the OMV or an approved driving school before the intermediate license is issued.
What to bring
- A learner's permit held at least 180 days and proof of 50 supervised hours (15 at night)
- A signed parent or guardian statement attesting that pre-licensing requirements were met with no at-fault crashes or violations
- Driver education completion documents
Vehicle requirements
- A safe, properly registered vehicle for the road skills test
- Valid insurance as required by Louisiana law
Louisiana driver handbook summary
Louisiana structures teen licensing around a temporary instructional permit, a learner's permit, an intermediate license, and finally a Class E license. State materials emphasize the 50 supervised hours including 15 at night, the 180-day permit period, and the 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. driving limit on the intermediate license. A strict no-cell-phone rule applies to permit holders and drivers 17 and under.
Practice for the Louisiana test
The fastest way to pass is to rehearse real test format. Our Louisiana questions are balanced across the categories the OMV tests.
Find a OMV office in Louisiana
Most permits are issued in person. Find your nearest OMV location before you go, and check whether you need an appointment.
Map results come from Google and may include third-party services. Always confirm the office location, hours, and whether an appointment is required on the official OMV website before visiting.
Official Louisiana sources
Louisiana licensing FAQ
How much does the Louisiana permit cost?
$32.25. Basic license fee for the Class E learner's permit under the graduated licensing program. There is no additional cost to convert a Temporary Instructional Permit (TIP) to a learner's permit or a full license. Verified on the OMV Permits page: $32.25 basic license fee, up to a $6.00 service fee at certain field offices (counter total up to $38.25). Knowledge and road skills tests are administered by driver education providers, which charge their own course fees. Cash, check, or credit and debit cards accepted. See the full Louisiana fee breakdown and official source on our permit cost page.
What score do I need to pass the Louisiana written test?
The Louisiana knowledge test has 40 questions and you must answer 32 correctly (80%) to pass.
How many supervised driving hours does Louisiana require?
At least 50 hours of supervised driving, with 15 of those hours at night. Confirm the current requirement and any logging rules with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles.
How old do I have to be for a Louisiana permit?
Generally 15, usually with driver education. Confirm the current requirements with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles.
What documents do I need?
Proof of identity, your Social Security number, Louisiana residency, and parent or guardian consent if you are under 18.
Do I have to take a test?
Yes, a 40-question written knowledge test and a vision screening are required to get the permit.
Is there a fee?
Yes, a permit fee applies. Check the current amount with the Louisiana OMV or your local office.