Louisiana traffic laws require that all persons traveling in the state wear a seatbelt. Both automobile drivers and passengers must comply with the regulation. In special situations, people with certain medical conditions can be exempted from wearing a seatbelt. Request for exemptions must be completed on Form DPSMV 2012. The completed form must be accompanied by a physician's certification and mailed to: Headquarters Services, Office of Motor Vehicles, P. O. Box 64886, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70896-4886. If you have questions about the seatbelt law or exemption, you can call the Office of Motor Vehicles at (877) 368-5463 or (225) 925-6281.
Drivers operating motor vehicles in the state of Louisiana must stop behind a school bus that is stopped so that children can board or un-board. If you are convicted of failing to stop or if you pass a school bus that is loading or unloading children, you will receive a 30-day suspension of your driving privileges. If you are convicted of failing to stop or if you pass an unloading or loading school bus a second time, you will receive a 60-day suspension of your driving privileges. Should you be convicted of failing to stop or if you pass a school bus a third time, you will lose driving privileges for one year.
Drivers operating a vehicle on Louisiana's roadways shall not drive faster than is reasonably needed or safe. The maximum speed that you can drive your vehicle on the state's interstates and controlled access highways is 70 miles per hour. The maximum speed limit on other divided highways that have partial or no controlled access is 65 miles per hour. The maximum speed limit on all other highways throughout the state is 55 miles per hour. You are also expected to drive no slower than is reasonable. Roadways shall post maximum speed limits. Minimum speed limits may be posted in certain areas as well.
Young adults between the ages of 15 and 17 are eligible to apply for a learner's permit in Louisiana. Before you can test for your driver's license, you must present a certified copy of your birth certificate, your social security card and a certificate proving that you successfully completed 38 hours of driver's training from an approved educational institution registered with the Department of Public Safety and Corrections or the Department of Education. You must take and pass a written, vision and driver's test at a local Office of Motor Vehicles before you are granted a learner's permit.
Residents can electronically renew individual driver's licenses and registrations on legally owned vehicles through the Office of Motor Vehicles Express Lane website. The online system is available 24 hours per day. To renew a license or vehicle registration, you need to confirm your home address and other recorded information located at the website. You will also need to pay the applicable renewal fee.
The use of cell phones is banned for school bus drivers throughout Louisiana. Text messaging is banned for all drivers in the state. If you drive a vehicle while your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level is at or above 0.08 percent, your license will be suspended after your first conviction. Your vehicle can be seized by the state if you are convicted multiple times of driving while legally drunk.
Louisiana traffic laws stipulate that vehicle owners have sufficient automobile liability insurance. Drivers are required to carry a copy of an insurance card while operating a vehicle. Vehicles that weigh 20,000 pounds or less must carry a minimum of $10,000 to $20,000 bodily injury coverage and $10,000 property damage coverage. Vehicles that weigh between 20,001 and 50,000 pounds must carry a minimum of $25,000 to $50,000 bodily injury coverage and $25,000 property damage coverage. Heavier vehicles must carry a minimum of $100,000 to $300,000 bodily injury coverage and $25,000 property damage coverage.
