Louisiana learner’s permit requirements

Everything here comes from Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (Department of Public Safety and Corrections) pages, handbooks or state law, and each fact links to its source. Where Louisiana doesn’t publish something, we say so rather than guess.

Last checked September 22, 2026.

At a glance

Minimum age
15 years
To pass the knowledge test
32 of 40 correct (80%)
Fees
$32.25 total
Supervised driving
50 hours (15 at night)

The knowledge test and your permit

Test format
40 questionsSources 123
Passing score
32 of 40 correct (80%)Sources 123
Time limit
None published
Permit and test fees
$32.25 totalCovers the $32.25 basic license fee for the learner's permit; some field offices add up to $6 service fee (excluded).Sources 123
Minimum age for a permit
15 yearsLearner's permit at 15 after completing the 38-hour driver education course (30 classroom + 8 behind-the-wheel). A Temporary Instructional Permit (TIP) for driver-ed enrollment can be issued at 14 (classroom only; behind-the-wheel from 15).Sources 512
Supervised driving
50 hours (15 at night)Sources 512
Hold your permit
6 months minimumSources 512
Take it online
No, in personSources 123
Vision standard
20/40 vision in one eye (with or without corrective lenses)Sources 512

From permit to full license

Three stages.

  • Learner's permit (15+): drive only with a licensed parent/guardian/adult 21+ or licensed sibling 18+; no cell phone use; hold at least 180 days and until age 16; 50 supervised hours (15 at night) attested by parent.
  • Intermediate license (16+, after road skills test): no driving 11 p.m.-5 a.m. unsupervised; between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m. no more than one non-family passenger under 21 unless a licensed adult 21+ is present; no cell phones for drivers 17 and under; held until age 17.
  • Full Class E license at 17.
  • All drivers, any age: hands-free only; no holding a phone, texting, social media or other manual device use unless lawfully stationary (R.S. 32:59).
  • Applicants 18+ may take a 38-hour course or a 6-hour pre-licensing course plus 8 hours behind-the-wheel.

Before you go

Rules and fees change. Confirm appointments, documents and current fees on the official Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (Department of Public Safety and Corrections) website: expresslane.la.gov.

Sources

  1. expresslane.dps.louisiana.gov: CLASS E Learner's Permit requirements
  2. public.powerdms.com: 347039
  3. expresslane.la.gov: new licenses
  4. expresslane.la.gov: permits
  5. expresslane.la.gov: louisiana graduated dl program
  6. expresslane.la.gov: upgrading to a class e intermediate license
  7. legis.la.gov: law

Keep going