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Louisiana driver's license

Get your first license in Louisiana after moving to the US.

The short answer

Getting a first Louisiana driver's license means passing the knowledge exam and then the road skills test.1, 2 If you fail the knowledge exam, you may retake it once the same day when there is time.3 The exam is multiple choice on a computer, and you need to answer 80 percent of the questions correctly to pass.1 During the road skills test the only people in the car are you, the Office of Motor Vehicles staffer and an interpreter if you need one.4

How it goes

  1. 1
    You arriveYou have moved to Louisiana and you want to drive here.
  2. 2
    Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
  3. 3
    The written testYou take the written test.
  4. 4
    Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
  5. 5
    Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.

If you just arrived in the US

Your immigration status

A non-permanent resident receives the ordinary Louisiana driver's license or identification card. If less than six years of legal presence remain on your immigration documents when you apply, it carries a variable expiration date matching your last day of legal presence and displays Limited-Term.5

Your Social Security Number

Giving your number, and who may see it

The Social Security number must be collected for every driver's license issued in Louisiana. The Office of Motor Vehicles verifies it online with the Social Security Administration.6

Tests you take

Eye test

A vision test is given before a learner's permit is issued and for all driver's license transactions. You must have 20/40 vision in one or both eyes to pass.7

Tries you get on the written test

If you fail the knowledge exam, you may retake it once on the same day if time allows. For a Class E or Class D license or a motorcycle endorsement, you may otherwise return after at least 30 days for another examination.3

Practice questions for the written test

The knowledge test questions are taken from the information in the Class D and E Driver's Guide. The test is multiple choice, given on a computer in most offices, and you must answer 80 percent of the questions correctly to pass. Proper identification is required each time you take the test.1

Practising with your permit

Who can sit with you while you practise

With a learner permit, you may drive only with a licensed parent, guardian, or adult at least 21 years of age, or with a licensed sibling at least 18 years of age or older.8

What to bring to the drive test

Who comes with you

Only the applicant, the Office of Motor Vehicles staffer, and an interpreter (if applicable) are permitted in the vehicle during the road skills test.4

The car and its insurance

The vehicle must be in safe driving condition, pass a safety inspection, and have a valid inspection sticker, current license plate and registration document., The speedometer must be operational., All vehicles manufactured after 1964 must be equipped with functional seat belts., You must present proof of liability insurance on the vehicle being used for the test, and you cannot be listed as an excluded driver on the insurance., If the Office of Motor Vehicles administers the test, the driver must furnish the vehicle with insurance; a third-party tester may provide a vehicle for a fee.9

Where to go

Who gives the tests

The Office of Motor Vehicles or an approved third-party tester certified by the Office of Motor Vehicles may administer the personal driver's license (Class E) or motorcycle endorsement road skills test.2

Booking an appointment

Louisiana takes Office of Motor Vehicles appointment bookings online at https://la.omvappointments.com/customer/booking/start.10

  • The Book Appointment page on Louisiana's Expresslane site is at https://expresslane.la.gov/omv/resources/appointment-know-before-you-go/#/.11

Office locations

Louisiana lists its Office of Motor Vehicles locations at https://offices.omv.la.gov/.12

Other states

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Sources

Every numbered fact above is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.

  1. 1

    “The test contains multiple choice questions that are taken from the information contained in this manual. The exam is given on a computer in most offices and you must correctly answer 80 percent of these questions to receive a passing score. Proper identification is required each time the test is taken.”

    public.powerdms.com/LADPSC/documents/347039

    Checked July 26, 2026

  2. 2

    “The Office of Motor Vehicles or an approved third party tester (TPT) may administer the personal driver’s license (Class E) or motorcycle endorsement road skills test.”

    public.powerdms.com/ladpsc/documents/368267

    Checked August 1, 2026

  3. 3

    “If you fail the knowledge exam, you may retake the exam once on the same day, if time allows.”

    public.powerdms.com/ladpsc/documents/368264

    Checked July 31, 2026

  4. 4

    “Only the applicant, the OMV staffer, and the interpreter (if applicable) are permitted in the vehicle during the road skills test.”

    public.powerdms.com/LADPSC/documents/347039

    Checked July 26, 2026

  5. 5

    “If a non-permanent resident alien has less than six (6) years of legal presence remaining on his/her immigration documents when applying for a driver's license or identification card, the credential will be issued with a variable expiration date to reflect his/her last day of legal presence. The credential will display "Limited-Term".”

    public.powerdms.com/ladpsc/documents/368156

    Checked July 26, 2026

  6. 6

    “Social Security Number (must be collected on all drivers' licenses issued in this state)”

    expresslane.la.gov/…/license-transfers

    Checked August 3, 2026

  7. 7

    “A vision test will be administered prior to the issuance of a learner’s permit. You must have 20/40 vision in one or both eyes to pass.”

    expresslane.la.gov/…/new-licenses

    Checked August 1, 2026

  8. 8

    “The applicant is authorized to drive with a licensed parent, guardian, or adult at least 21 years of age, or a licensed sibling at least 18 years of age or older.”

    expresslane.la.gov/…/permits

    Checked August 1, 2026

  9. 9

    “The vehicle must be in safe driving condition, pass a safety inspection, and have a valid inspection sticker, current license plate and registration document.”

    public.powerdms.com/LADPSC/documents/347039

    Checked July 31, 2026

  10. 10

    “I'M CLEAR AND READY TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT NOW! [URL: https://la.omvappointments.com/customer/booking/start]”

    expresslane.la.gov/…/appointment-know-before-you-go

    Checked August 4, 2026

  11. 11

    “Book Appointment [URL: https://expresslane.la.gov/omv/resources/appointment-know-before-you-go/#/]”

    expresslane.la.gov/…/appointment-know-before-you-go

    Checked August 4, 2026

  12. 12

    “Locations [URL: https://offices.omv.la.gov/]”

    expresslane.la.gov/…/appointment-know-before-you-go

    Checked August 4, 2026

Applying for a driver's license in Louisiana?

Answer a few questions and see the steps that apply to you.

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