Apply for a License (Under 18) in Louisiana

Applying for a Teen Driver's License in Louisiana

If you are a teenager applying for your first driver's license, you'll need to satisfy the requirements of the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) graduated driver's license (GDL) program.

The steps you'll need to take to get your driver's license will help you gain valuable driving experience and become a safe, responsible new driver.

On this page you'll find information about the Louisiana GDL program, and the requirements to get your unrestricted 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.

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?

If you've recently moved to Louisiana, you can transfer your valid out-of-state driver's license or learner's permit for a LA OMV driver's license or intermediate driver's license. The LA OMV will issue you a LA license which is equivalent to the license or permit you are surrendering from out-of-state.

You will not be required to complete a Louisiana driver's education course.

As a new resident, you have 30 days to transfer your out-of-state driver's license. If you want to obtain a Louisiana REAL ID, see the state's guide to acceptable application documents.

You must visit a Louisiana DMV office and:

  • Surrender your out-of-state driver's license or provide your official driving record from your previous state.
  • Provide a primary proof of your identification, such as your:
  • Provide your Social Security number.
  • Submit proofs of Louisiana residency.
  • Submit a a Certificate of Required Attendance from your school's office or a Home Study Approval Notification Letter from the Department of Education.
  • Pass a vision exam.
  • Pass a road skills test, if necessary.
  • Pay the $32.25 to $38.25 driver's license fee and any local fees that may apply.

NOTE: Payments made by credit/debit card and e-checks will incur an additional fee.

If you are 17 years old or younger, you must visit the Louisiana DMV office with your parent or legal guardian, and they must bring a photo ID.

Louisiana GDL Program & Restrictions

The Louisiana DMV GDL program is broken down into the following steps:

  • Learner's permit, which allows:
  • Intermediate driver's license, which allows:
    • Unsupervised driving between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.
    • Supervised driving with a licensed adult at any time.
    • No more than 1 passenger younger than 21 years old between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m., unless:
      • You are accompanied by a licensed adult.
      • The passenger is an immediate family member.
  • Full, unrestricted driver's license.

Age Requirements

The minimum age requirements of the Louisiana DMV GDL program are as follows:

  • Learner's permit: 15 years old.
  • Intermediate driver's license: 16 years old.
  • Full driver's license: 17 years old.

Louisiana Learner's Permit

The first steps in the Louisiana GDL program are completing driver's education and obtaining your learner's permit.

For information about driver's education requirements in Louisiana, please visit our Driver's Ed in Louisiana page.

To apply for your learner's permit, visit your local LA DMV office with your parent or legal guardian and provide:

  • A certified birth certificate that proves you are at least 15 years old.
  • Your Social Security card or verification.
  • Your Driver's Ed completion certificate that proves you have completed a minimum of 38 hours of driver's education, including:
    • 30 hours of classroom instruction.
    • 8 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction.
  • Submit a Certificate of Required Attendance from your school's office or a Home Study Approval Notification Letter from the Department of Education.
  • Payment for the $32.25 permit fee and any local fees that may apply.

NOTE: Payments made by credit/debit card and e-checks will incur an additional fee.

You'll also need to pass a vision exam and Louisiana DMV written test.

The OMV suggests using the Louisiana Drivers Guide to prepare for the written test. If you want to make sure you're fully prepared for the test try using an online practice test from our certified partner.

Driving Restrictions & Behind-the-Wheel Requirements

With your Louisiana learner's permit, you may drive ONLY while accompanied by a licensed adult at least 21 years old, or a sibling at least 18 years old who is also licensed.

You'll also need to:

  • Hold your permit for a minimum of 180 days.
  • Complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving.
    • 15 hours must be driven at night.

Intermediate Driver License

If you have a learner's permit, you will be able to upgrade to an intermediate license once you:

  • Are at least 16 years old.
  • Have held your learner's permit for at least 180 days.
  • Submit a signed statement confirming that you have completed a total of 50 hours of supervised driving, including 15 hours completed at night.
    • Must be completed with your licensed parent, legal guardian, or other adult who is at least 21 years old.

You'll also need to pass a road test with the Louisiana OMV or at a third-party testing facility. Some OMV offices only offer the skills test on a limited number of days.

Contact your local Louisiana DMV office to schedule a road test or to get information about testing hours. If you take your test with the LA OMV, you'll need to provide your own car and have:

  • A current safety inspection sticker.
  • A valid registration sticker and certificate.
  • Proof of LA car insurance.

After passing the DMV road test, your parent or legal guardian will need to accompany you to the Louisiana DMV office. You'll need to:

  • Provide your learner's permit and birth certificate.
  • Submit a Certificate of Required Attendance from your school's office or a Home Study Approval Notification Letter from the Department of Education.
  • Bring additional required proofs of identity, Social Security number, and residency for a REAL ID-compliant license.
  • Pass a vision exam.
  • Payment for the $13 upgrade fee and any local fees that may apply (up to $8).

NOTE: Payments made by credit/debit card and e-checks will incur an additional fee.

Driving Restrictions

While holding your intermediate driver's license, you must adhere to the following driving and passenger restrictions:

  • You may only drive unsupervised between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.
  • You may drive at any hour if you are accompanied by a licensed adult.
    • If you are driving between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m., you may not carry more than 1 passenger under 21 years old (unless they are an immediate family member), EXCEPT when accompanied by a licensed adult.

Full Unrestricted LA Driver License

You will be eligible for an unrestricted driver's license in Louisiana once you are 17 years old.

To upgrade your intermediate driver's license, visit your local Louisiana DMV office with:

  • Your intermediate driver's license.
  • Your birth certificate.
  • Proof of Louisiana residency.
  • Your Social Security card.
  • A Certificate of Required Attendance from your school's office or a Home Study Approval Notification Letter from the Department of Education.
  • Cash for your upgrade fee of $13. Certain office charge an additional $6 fee.

Once you've completed the above steps, you'll be free to drive unrestricted - just make sure to do so safely, responsibly, and courteously!

If you want to track and share your progress towards your new license, please visit our new driver's license checklist.

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