Louisiana driver's license
Get your first license in Louisiana after moving to the US.
How it goes
- 1You arriveYou have moved to Louisiana and you want to drive here.
- 2Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
- 3The written testYou take the written test.
- 4Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
- Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.
Your Social Security Number
Giving your number, and who may see it
Louisiana collects a Social Security number for every driver's licence it issues, and the OMV verifies the number through SSOLV.
Tests you take
Eye test
A vision test is given before a learner's permit is issued, and you need 20/40 vision in one or both eyes to pass. If you are referred, form DPSMV2301 applies.
Drive test
Yes
Tries you get on the written test
If you fail the knowledge exam, you can retake it once on the same day if time allows. If the exam is stopped for cheating, you can come back only after at least 30 days.
Practice questions for the written test
Every question on the knowledge test comes from the Class D & E Driver's Guide, so that manual is what to study. The test is multiple choice, and you pass by answering 80 percent of the questions correctly.
Using an interpreter
If you do not understand written English well, you can bring your own translator to help with any class knowledge (written) test except the CDL test. Louisiana publishes no rules about who the translator can be.
Practising with your permit
Who can sit with you while you practise
With a Class E learner's permit you can drive only with a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old, or a sibling who is at least 18.
You can drive only with a licensed parent, guardian or other adult who is at least 21 years old, or a licensed sibling who is at least 18 or older.
A learner's permit is the only legal way to practise driving on the road, and if you fail the road skills test without one the examiner can recommend it. Even with the permit, you drive only with a licensed adult age 21 or older or a licensed sibling age 18 or older.
What to bring to the drive test
Who comes with you
Only you, the OMV staffer, and an interpreter if you use one are allowed in the car during the road skills test. A parent, friend or driving instructor cannot ride along, and loose objects that could break or cause injury must be removed from the car before the test.
Only you, the OMV staffer, and an interpreter if you use one are allowed in the car during the road skills test.
The car and its insurance
For an OMV-run test you furnish the car and its insurance, and you cannot be listed as an excluded driver on that insurance; the car needs a valid inspection sticker, current licence plate and registration, a working speedometer, and working seat belts if it was made after 1964. A third-party tester can provide a car instead, and a rental fee can apply.
Where to go
Who gives the tests
Either the Louisiana OMV or an approved third-party tester (TPT) can give the road skills test for a Class E licence or a motorcycle endorsement.
Booking an appointment
You can book an appointment at a Louisiana OMV customer service center at la.omvappointments.com/customer/booking/start.
Appointments are booked at la.omvappointments.com/customer/booking/start.
The OMV's appointment page is at expresslane.la.gov/omv/resources/appointment-know-before-you-go.
Office locations
You can find Louisiana OMV offices at offices.omv.la.gov.
Other states
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Every source, quoted17 sources
Every fact on this page is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.
“Social Security Number (must be collected on all drivers' licenses issued in this state)”
expresslane.la.gov/omv/drivers/personal-driver-s-licenses/license-transfersChecked August 1, 2026
“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/omv/drivers/personal-driver-s-licenses/new-licensesChecked August 1, 2026
“You must be at least 17 years of age and you must pass the vision, knowledge (written) test and road skills test to be issued a full license.”
expresslane.la.gov/omv/drivers/personal-driver-s-licenses/new-licensesChecked August 1, 2026
“If you fail the knowledge exam, you may retake the exam once on the same day, if time allows.”
public.powerdms.com/ladpsc/documents/368264Checked July 31, 2026
“KNOWLEDGE TEST All first time applicants must successfully pass the knowledge test confirming your understanding of traffic signs and signals, as well as safe driving practices and Louisiana laws relative to driving. 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/347039Checked July 26, 2026
“If the applicant does not have a good understanding of the written English language they may bring a translator to assist with any class knowledge (written) tests except CDL .”
expresslane.la.gov/omv/drivers/personal-driver-s-licenses/new-licensesChecked August 3, 2026
“Is authorized to drive only with a licensed adult at least twenty-one (21) years of age or sibling at least eighteen (18) years of age.”
public.powerdms.com/LADPSC/documents/347039Checked July 31, 2026
“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/omv/drivers/personal-driver-s-licenses/permitsChecked August 1, 2026
“If an applicant does not currently hold a learner’s permit and fails the road skills test, the examiner may recommend a learner's permit. The learner's permit is the only legal means the applicant may practice driving on the roadway and improve performance.”
public.powerdms.com/ladpsc/documents/368267Checked July 31, 2026
“Only the applicant, the OMV staffer, and the interpreter (if applicable) are permitted in the vehicle during the road skills test. Loose objects that could break or cause injury must be removed from the vehicle prior to the road test.”
public.powerdms.com/LADPSC/documents/347039Checked July 26, 2026
“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/347039Checked July 31, 2026
“If administered by OMV: ... Driver must furnish vehicle with insurance. The applicant ... cannot be listed as an excluded driver on the insurance. ... If administered by TPT: ... TPT may provide vehicles for administration of the road skills ... test. Rental fees may apply.”
public.powerdms.com/ladpsc/documents/368267Checked July 31, 2026
“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/368267Checked August 1, 2026
“I'M CLEAR AND READY TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT NOW! [URL: https://la.omvappointments.com/customer/booking/start]”
expresslane.la.gov/omv/resources/appointment-know-before-you-goChecked August 4, 2026
“FINAL-URL: https://la.omvappointments.com/customer/booking/start”
la.omvappointments.com/customer/booking/startChecked August 4, 2026
“Book Appointment [URL: https://expresslane.la.gov/omv/resources/appointment-know-before-you-go/#/]”
expresslane.la.gov/omv/resources/appointment-know-before-you-goChecked August 4, 2026
“Locations [URL: https://offices.omv.la.gov/]”
expresslane.la.gov/omv/resources/appointment-know-before-you-goChecked August 4, 2026
Applying for a driver's license in Louisiana?
Answer a few questions and see the steps that apply to you.