8.2.0 The Louisiana Driver’s License and Required Exam |
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Louisiana Statewide Transition Project and Louisiana: Healthy and Ready to Work Fact Sheet Series |
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07/18/00 |
As young adults transition
from adolescence into adulthood, there are a variety of rites of passage that
represent important milestones in their lives. These rites of passage may include, but are not limited to:
going on a first date; shaving; wearing make-up; moving from pediatric to adult
health care services; having an after-school or summer job; and getting a
driver’s license. To many young adults,
a driver’s license represents a much-anticipated level of freedom and
independence. However, with this
privilege, freedom, and independence come responsibilities. It is important for all young adults to
learn how to earn the privilege of driving and how to keep that privilege. It is equally important for all young adults
to become and continue to be safe and responsible drivers.
Individuals who are residents of Louisiana and who
wish to drive personal vehicles on public streets and highways must have a
Class “E” Louisiana Driver’s License.
In addition, licensed drivers are required to carry their licenses with
them whenever operating a vehicle. Finally,
they are required to show their licenses to any police officer or agent who
requests to see it.
All drivers, both with and without disabilities, are
required to learn, obey, and practice safe driving. In order to develop safe driving skills and to prepare to take
the Louisiana driver’s license examination, young adults and others seeking to
obtain their first driver’s license will need formal instruction, such as a
Driver’s Education Course available through high school curricula and/or private
driving instruction available from agencies in local communities.
“Louisiana
Driver’s Guide: Classes ‘D’ and ‘E’”: In order to assist young adults and others
seeking to obtain a first-time Louisiana Driver’s License, a booklet entitled
“Louisiana Driver’s Guide: Classes ‘D’ and ‘E’” is available from the Office of
Motor Vehicles. This guide provides all
the necessary information in order to prepare for the Louisiana driver’s
license examination. It also serves as
an excellent review for experienced drivers.
This guide contains two related sets of information: 1) driver and
vehicle licensing information and 2) traffic laws and safe driving practices.
Louisiana
Driver’s License Exam:
Driver’s License Tests: There are 4 components to
the Louisiana driver’s license examination.
Applicants must pass the Vision, Traffic Sign, and Knowledge Tests
before taking the Driving Test.
1. Vision Test: An eye test will determine if vision
meets minimum standards for safe driving. If an applicant fails the vision test,
he/she may take the test again after the problem has been corrected. If an applicant needs corrective lenses to
pass the test, his/her license will show that he/she must wear them while
driving.
2. Traffic Sign Test: Applicants will be tested on
the meaning of standard road signs and must be able to identify certain signs
by shape, color, or symbol.
3. Knowledge Test: Applicants will be given written
questions about their responsibilities as a driver, including knowledge of laws
and safe driving practices.
4. Driving Test: Applicants must provide the vehicle
to be used in this test. The vehicle
must pass a safety inspection, have a valid inspection sticker, and have a
current license plate and registration.
Proof of liability insurance on the vehicle being used for the test must
also be presented. Road tests are
suspended during rainy or inclement weather.
Applicants must demonstrate the ability to safely operate a vehicle in
ordinary traffic conditions. Applicants
may be failed for any of the following: violation of a traffic law; any
dangerous act; lack of cooperation or refusal to perform; or accident.
Identification Requirements: An applicant for a
Louisiana Driver’s License must prove who he/she is and his/her date of
birth. One primary and two secondary
documents or two primary documents are required as proof of
identification. A listing of approved
primary and secondary documents is available from the Office of Motor Vehicles.
Age Requirements: According to Louisiana’s
graduated licensing program of the R.Y.A.N. Act, effective January 1, 1998, the
age requirements for a Class “E” Louisiana Driver’s License are as follows:
STAGE 1: LEARNER’S PERMIT
1. Minimum 15 years of age and signature of
custodial parent or guardian.
2. Must complete 30 hours classroom instruction and
6 hours behind the wheel driving instruction.
3. Must pass visual examination and written and road
sign tests.
4. Authorized to drive with one licensed parent,
guardian, or adult at least 21 years of age.
5. Must maintain a learner’s license for a minimum
of 90 days and cannot change to intermediate stage until attainment of
sixteenth birthday.
STAGE 2: INTERMEDIAATE LICENSE
1. Must have completed STAGE 1.
2. Minimum 16 years of age and signature of
custodial parent or guardian.
3. Must pass the on-road driving test.
4. Prohibited from driving between the hours of
11:00 PM – 5:00 AM, unless accompanied by a licensed parent, guardian, or adult
at least 21 years of age.
5. Must be maintained until attainment of
seventeenth birthday.
STAGE 3: FULL/PERMANENT LICENSE
1. Must successfully complete STAGE 1 and STAGE 2
without any at-fault accidents or any convictions for moving, seat belt, or
curfew violations during the Intermediate Stage.
OR
2. Minimum 17 years of age prior to application for
first license. If the applicant is age
17, the signature of a custodial parent or guardian is required. NOTE: Applicants 17 years of age or above
who have not entered the graduated licensing program may apply for a Class “E”
license or a Learner’s Permit upon completion of a full driver’s education
course or a 6 hour pre-licensing course.
Medical Report Requirements: Any person who has a
physical disability and/or a severe visual impairment must submit a detailed
report from a physician and/or vision specialist stating the severity of any
physical or visual condition that might impair an applicant’s ability to safely
operate a motor vehicle. The Office of
Motor Vehicles may, for cause, require anyone to submit a medical and/or visual
report. The required form must be
obtained from any Office of Motor Vehicles.
Accommodations and Modifications: Accommodations and
modifications may be provided and are encouraged to ensure fair and equitable
test administration. Applicants may
request that a tape-recorded version of the Knowledge Test be
administered. In addition, by
appointment only, an oral test may be administered. Finally, applicants who
have a hearing impairment or a language impairment may bring an interpreter to
facilitate the testing procedure. A
limited amount of funds are available whereby the Office of Motor Vehicles may
pay for interpreter services, provided such services are rendered by an agency
under contract with the department.
Fees and
Terms:
A set fee, payable in cash only, is charged to obtain a Louisiana Drive’s
License. In addition, some Offices of
Motor Vehicles charge an additional local fee.
Finally, a delinquent fee is charged if the license has expired. A Louisiana Driver’s License is valid for 4
years.
License Renewals: A Louisiana Driver’s
License will expire 4 years from the licensed person’s nearest birthday. Licenses may be renewed anytime within 90
days before their expiration dates. Applicants
for renewal must pass the Vision Test and may be required to pass the Knowledge
Test before a license is renewed.
License
Restrictions: The Office of Motor Vehicles and/or the Court is authorized to impose
restrictions on licenses, for example being required to wear corrective lenses
or to drive specialized or adapted equipment.
These restrictions will appear on the driver’s license. Any violation of a restriction is a
violation of the law and can result in suspension of driving privileges.
Driving
Record:
The Office of Motor Vehicles keeps a public record of all traffic convictions
and accidents for five years. This
includes traffic convictions in other states.
Excessive or serious moving violations may result in loss of license.
Students/Young Adults:
Young adults who are
interested in obtaining a Louisiana Driver’s License need to familiarize
themselves with the requirements regarding the Louisiana driver’s license
exam. Formal instruction requirements
(driver’s education or pre-licensing courses) may impact decisions made about
high school course work. In addition,
young adults need to be able to request accommodations or modifications that
are needed or desired. Finally, the
transition process can assist young adults to acquire the needed instruction
for both driving and self-determination skills.
Families:
Driver’s license applicants
who are 17 or younger require the signature of a custodial parent or
guardian. Families can assist their
young adults to become familiar with and assume the responsibilities that
accompany the privilege, freedom, and independence of having a driver’s
license. The transition process can be
a practical way to help young adults and their families plan for, prepare for,
and successfully negotiate the process to obtain and maintain a driver’s
license. By serving as positive role
models, families can assist young adults to become and continue to be safe and
responsible drivers.
Agencies:
Having a driver’s license
increases young adults’ mobility, and therefore employment options. In addition, young adults who are able to
transport themselves around their communities can experience, enjoy, and take
more responsibility for a wide range of activities without being dependent on
others or agencies for transportation.
The transition process provides a practical and useful way to assist
young adults to capitalize on the opportunities that open up to them as a
result of being a licensed driver and to assume the responsibilities that
accompany this independence.
IV. RESOURCES/CONTACTS
Office of Motor Vehicles
1-877-DMV-LINE
(1-877-368-5463)
http://www.dps.state.la.us/laomv.html
V. REFERENCES
Louisiana Department of Education. (Revised 1998). Bulletin 1179:
Driver education, traffic safety, and administrative guide for Louisiana
schools.
Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. (March 1998). Louisiana
driver’s license guide: Classes “D” and “E”.
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The development and dissemination of this
document were supported in part by funds from the U.S. Department of
Education (Cooperative Agreement #H158A6007, “The Louisiana Statewide
Transition Project: A Multi-Constituency Model”) and the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, Maternal and Child Health Program (Grant
MCJ-22HRW6, “Louisiana: Healthy and Ready to Work”). The opinions expressed
herein are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the
policy or position of the U.S. Department of Education or the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services, and no official endorsement by either of these
two agencies should be inferred. The LSUMC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or the
provision of services. This document may be duplicated and disseminated in its
original form without obtaining permission. Alternate forms of this document are available upon request at 1-888-942-8104 or TDD 1-504-942-5900. |