Louisiana Driver Licensing Requirements
A simple guide to help you. Follow the steps based on your child’s age, visit Louisiana DMV for documents, and use the checklists to stay on track.
Which Course Do I Need?
- If you are…
- Under 18 → You must take the 38-Hour Course
- 18 or older → You must take the 14-Hour Course
Under 18 (38-Hour Course) - Requirements & Checklist
Teens under 18 must complete Louisiana’s Graduated Licensing Program, beginning with a Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP), then completing an approved 38-hour driver education course, and finally applying for a learner’s permit.
- Step 1: Get Your TIP Card (Temporary Instruction Permit)
- Age: Must be at least 14 years and 9 months.
- Where: Go to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV)
- Documents: Bring your birth certificate, social security card, and one other ID, plus a parent/guardian with their ID.
- Purpose: This card is required to start driver's education.
- Step 2: Complete Driver's Education & Knowledge Test
- Enroll at First Class Driving a Louisiana-licensed driving school (30 hours classroom, 8 hours behind-the-wheel). Enroll Today
- Pass the written knowledge test (test is administered at First Class Driving) and vision screening at the OMV.
- Step 3: Get Your Learner's Permit (Class E)
- Age: Must be at least 15 years old.
- How: Exchange your TIP and driver's ed certificate at the OMV for the Learner's Permit.
- Restrictions: Drive only with a licensed adult (parent/guardian, or someone 21+) or sibling (18+) in the car.
- Step 4: Get Your Intermediate License
- Hold the Learner's Permit for 180 days.
- Complete 50 hours of supervised driving (including 15 at night).
- Pass the road skills test.
- Restrictions: No driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Not have more than 1 passenger in the car who is a minor from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. (Both restrictions are lifted at age 17 and if a parent/guardian, adult 21+, or sibling 18+ are in the vehicle.)
- Step 5: Get Your Full License
- After holding the Intermediate License for a period (usually until age 17) and meeting all requirements, you can get a full Class E license.
18 & Older (14-Hour Course) - Requirements & Checklist
Adults 18+ can take the 14-hour course (6 hrs classroom + 8 hrs behind-the-wheel) and then apply directly for a full driver's license after completing the OMV requirements.
- Step 1: Get Your TIP Card (Temporary Instruction Permit)
- Visit the OMV: Apply at a Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV).
- Documents Needed: Bring proof of identity (birth certificate), Social Security card, two proofs of residency, and pay the fee.
- Purpose: This card is required to enroll in driver's ed and allows you to drive with a professional instructor.
- Step 2: Complete Driver's Education
- Enroll: First Class Driving a Louisiana-licensed driving school.
- Course: Complete the 14-hour adult program (6 hrs classroom, 8 hrs behind-the-wheel). Enroll Today
- Tests: Pass the computer-based knowledge test administered at First Class Driving (80%+ score) and the road skills test with the driving school.
- Step 3: Get Your License
- Return to OMV: Surrender your completed TIP and driver's ed certificate to the OMV.
- Final Checks: Pass a vision test and provide all original documents again.
- Pay Fee: Pay the final license fee.
Key Requirements & TipsDocuments are Crucial: Have originals; photocopies aren't accepted.
TIP Card - What You Need to Bring to the DMV
Louisiana's "TIP" (Temporary Instructional Permit) requirements involve getting an official permit from the OMV (Office of Motor Vehicles) before driver's education courses. In addition, the student must have the TIP in their possession when operating a motor vehicle during the behind the wheel portion of instruction and when accompanied by a licensed driver education instructor or during the administration of a road skills test.
- You must bring the following original documents:
- Original or certified birth certificate.
- Proof of SSN (card, W-2).
- Two forms of secondary ID (e.g., school ID, insurance card).
- Proof of address (utility bill, etc.).
- Signed application by custodial parent/guardian.
- Pass a vision test.
After Driver’s Ed: Getting the Learner’s Permit
After you complete Driver’s Ed, the next step is to return to the OMV to upgrade your Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP) to a Learner’s Permit.Here’s exactly what you’ll need to bring:
- Required Documents for Learner’s Permit
- TIP Card (must be returned to OMV to upgrade)
- Driver Education Completion Certificate (proof of completing the 38-hour or 14-hour course) Enroll Today
- Written Knowledge Test Certificate (the student completes the written test with us)
- Original Birth Certificate
- Original Social Security Card
- School Enrollment Form (must be current—usually within the school year)
- Domiciliary Parent Must Be Present
- Custody Documents (if applicable, required by Louisiana law)
- Helpful Notes: The OMV will issue a Learner’s Permit after verifying all documents.
- Students must hold a Learner’s Permit for 180 days and reach the age of 16 before moving to the Intermediate License.
- If the student did not take the behind the wheel test at our school, they must take it at the DMV.