Louisiana motorcycle permit test numbers to know

Distances, speeds, limits, fines and deadlines are the questions people miss most, because they have to be memorized. Here are 23 Louisiana numbers, grouped and cited, with a free quiz and flashcards to lock them in.

Numbers quiz

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Numbers flashcards

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  • Alcohol & drugs

    In Louisiana, if a rider under age 21 is arrested for DWI and tests at what blood alcohol level or above, the officer seizes the license?

    0.02 percent

    Under R.S. 32:667, the officer seizes the license of an arrested driver who refuses the chemical test or tests at 0.08 percent or above, or 0.02 percent or above if under 21.

    Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 67

  • Distances & following gaps

    In Louisiana, what is the maximum legal handlebar height above the part of the seat where the operator sits?

    15 inches

    Louisiana bans handlebars more than 15 inches above the portion of the seat the operator occupies.

    Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 62

  • Ages, permits & the test

    A 16-year-old Louisiana rider wants to ride a power cycle at 11:30 p.m. without an adult. What does Louisiana law say?

    It is illegal for a rider under 17 from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. without a custodial adult

    R.S. 32:416.1 makes it unlawful for anyone under 17 to drive a motor vehicle or power cycle on public roads between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent, tutor or other custodial adult 21 or older.

    Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 66

Every Louisiana motorcycle number, by topic

Official Louisiana laws come first in each group, then the numbers from our handbook questions. Tap a source to read the exact words it comes from.

Alcohol & drugs

10 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
0.08%Legal BAC limit for adult driverslegis.la.gov
Quote
The operator's blood alcohol concentration is 0.08 percent or more by weight based on grams of alcohol per one hundred cubic centimeters of blood.
0.02%BAC limit for drivers under 21legis.la.gov
Quote
when the operator's blood alcohol concentration is 0.02 percent or more by weight based on grams of alcohol per one hundred cubic centimeters of blood, if the operator is under the age of twenty-one.
0.04%BAC limit in a commercial vehiclelegis.la.gov
Quote
driving under the influence of alcohol with an alcohol concentration of at least 0.04 percent but under an alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent while operating a commercial motor vehicle.
12 monthsDrunk driving (DUI)The license is suspended for 12 months on convictionlegis.la.gov
Quote
The department shall suspend the license of any person for a period of twelve months upon receiving
$300 to $1,000, 10 days to 6 monthsDrunk driving (DUI)If you have already refused twice before, or the crash killed or seriously injured someone, refusing is itself a crime: a fine of $300 to $1,000 and 10 days to 6 months in jaillegis.la.gov
Quote
Any person who refuses to submit to a chemical test as required by the provisions of this Paragraph shall be fined not less than three hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars and imprisoned for not less than ten days nor more than six months.
one-yearDrunk driving (DUI)Refusing a chemical test brings a one-year suspension for a first refusallegis.la.gov
Quote
The operator's blood alcohol concentration is 0.08 percent or more by weight based on grams of alcohol per one hundred cubic centimeters of blood.
0.02 percentIn Louisiana, if a rider under age 21 is arrested for DWI and tests at what blood alcohol level or above, the officer seizes the license?Answer: 0.02 percentMotorcycle Operator Manual, page 67
Quote
if the person is under the age of twenty-one years, a blood alcohol level of 0.02 percent or above by weight
30 daysAfter a Louisiana DWI arrest, the officer seizes your license and gives you a temporary receipt. For how long may that receipt let you drive?Answer: Up to 30 days from the date of arrestMotorcycle Operator Manual, page 67
Quote
authorize the person to whom it has been issued to operate a motor vehicle upon the public highways of this state for a period not to exceed thirty days from the date of arrest
0.08%In Louisiana, at what blood alcohol concentration is a rider age 21 or older considered intoxicated?Answer: 0.08% or aboveMotorcycle Operator Manual, page 48
Quote
In all states, an adult with a BAC of 0.08% or above is considered intoxicated.
two hoursOn a long ride, how often should you stop and get off the motorcycle to fight fatigue?Answer: At least every two hoursMotorcycle Operator Manual, page 49
Quote
Take frequent rest breaks — Stop and get off the motorcycle at least every two hours.

Distances & following gaps

6 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
15 inchesIn Louisiana, what is the maximum legal handlebar height above the part of the seat where the operator sits?Answer: 15 inchesMotorcycle Operator Manual, page 62
Quote
No person shall operate any motorcycle with handlebars more than fifteen inches in height above the portion of the seat occupied by the operator.
500 feetDuring daytime, Louisiana requires your lights on when rain or fog keeps people and vehicles from being clearly seen at what distance?Answer: 500 feet aheadMotorcycle Operator Manual, page 62
Quote
When, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernable at a distance of five hundred feet ahead.
Two secondsUnder normal conditions, what is the minimum following distance the manual recommends behind the vehicle ahead?Answer: Two secondsMotorcycle Operator Manual, page 18
Quote
Normally, a minimum of two seconds distance should be maintained behind the vehicle ahead.
12 secondsHow far ahead should experienced riders search for hazards so they can prepare before a situation becomes immediate?Answer: An area it would take about 12 seconds to reachMotorcycle Operator Manual, page 22
Quote
experienced riders search for hazards that are further out, looking ahead to an area it would take about 12 seconds to reach.
two secondsIn a staggered group formation, how far should the third rider stay behind the leader?Answer: At least two seconds, in the left side of the laneMotorcycle Operator Manual, page 43
Quote
The third maintains the left position of the lane, at least two seconds behind the first rider.
3 milesA 16-year-old with a Louisiana learner's license is riding a motorcycle. How far from home does Louisiana law let them ride?Answer: Within 3 miles of their residenceLouisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (Department of Public Safety and Corrections) website
Quote
Any person under the age of seventeen who has a valid learner's license and is operating a motorcycle is restricted to a distance of three miles from the applicant's residence

Ages, permits & the test

5 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
4 yearsMotorcycle permitThe Class E learner's license may be issued for up to 4 yearslegis.la.gov
Quote
an applicant at least fifteen years of age, but less than seventeen years of age, applying for the first time may be issued a Class "E" learner's license. The license may be issued for a four-year period
under 17, 3 milesMotorcycle permitA learner's license holder under 17 who is riding a motorcycle is restricted to within 3 miles of their residence (or of where a parent or custodian is temporarily staying)legis.la.gov
Quote
Any person under the age of seventeen who has a valid learner's license and is operating a motorcycle is restricted to a distance of three miles from the applicant's residence
under 17A 16-year-old Louisiana rider wants to ride a power cycle at 11:30 p.m. without an adult. What does Louisiana law say?Answer: It is illegal for a rider under 17 from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. without a custodial adultMotorcycle Operator Manual, page 66
Quote
less than seventeen years of age to drive a motor vehicle or a power cycle upon any highway, street, public road, or public thoroughfare at any time between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
30 daysIn Louisiana, how long is your license suspended for a first conviction of failing to stop for, or passing, a school bus stopped to load or unload children?Answer: 30 daysMotorcycle Operator Manual, page 66
Quote
for a period of thirty days upon a first conviction; sixty days upon a second conviction; and, one year upon a third conviction for violation of R.S. 32:80(A) (1) relative to a failure to stop or passing a school bus
at least 45You need to cross a pavement seam that runs parallel to your path. How should you cross it?Answer: Move away, then cross at an angle of at least 45 degreesMotorcycle Operator Manual, page 35
Quote
move far enough away from tracks, ruts, or pavement seams to cross at an angle of at least 45˚. Then, make a deliberate turn.

Seat belts, lights & equipment

1 number
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
5 yearsUnder Louisiana law, what is the minimum age for a child to ride as a motorcycle passenger?Answer: 5 years old, properly seated and wearing a helmetMotorcycle Operator Manual, page 61
Quote
A child at least five years of age or older is only authorized to be a passenger on a motorcycle if such child is properly seated on the motorcycle and such child is wearing a safety helmet

Other numbers

1 number
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
70%How much of your total stopping power can the front brake provide?Answer: At least 70%Motorcycle Operator Manual, page 14
Quote
The front brake is more powerful and can provide at least 70% of your total stopping power.

Memory tips

How to study them (our advice, not official rules):

  • Learn the number with its unit and its place. “15 feet from a hydrant” sticks; “15” on its own gets mixed up with 15 mph.
  • Say the answer before you look. Recalling the number yourself is harder than spotting it among four options, and it is what makes it stick.
  • Come back to the ones you miss. The quiz above brings missed questions back more often. Short rounds over several days beat one long session.

Questions about the numbers

What numbers do I need to know for the Louisiana motorcycle permit test?

Mostly distances (how close you may park to a hydrant or crosswalk, when to signal, when to dim your high beams), speed limits, blood-alcohol limits, and the ages, hours and deadlines for your permit and license. This page lists 23 of them for Louisiana, each with its source.

Why focus on numbers?

A California DMV study of its own knowledge test found that many of the hardest questions “are numerical and have correct answers that must be learned by rote memorization.” Numbers are easy to mix up under pressure, so they are worth drilling on their own.

Where do these numbers come from?

Each one is quoted from the Motorcycle Operator Manual, Louisiana statutes or OMV pages. Our build checks that every number on this page appears word for word in the quote it cites.

Is the numbers drill free?

Yes. The table and the numbers quiz are free and unlimited, and so are the first 20 flashcards.

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