State Guide
Louisiana OMV Permit Test 2026
A complete walkthrough of everything involved in getting your Louisiana learner's permit — from eligibility and driver education requirements to the 40-question knowledge test and the state's three-stage Graduated Driver Licensing program. Louisiana allows teens to start at age 15, but requires driver education for anyone under 17. Ready to start practicing? Take a free Louisiana OMV practice test.
Who Can Get a Learner's Permit
In Louisiana, you must be at least 15 years old to apply for a learner's permit (officially called an “instruction permit”). There is no upper age limit — adults applying for their first license go through the same process.
If you're under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign your application. Louisiana also requires a parent or guardian to be present at the OMV office when you apply if you are a minor.
School attendance: Louisiana law ties driving privileges to school attendance. Teens under 18 who are habitually absent or drop out of school can have their driving privileges suspended. You may be asked to provide proof of school enrollment or a high school diploma/GED.
Residency: You must be a Louisiana resident. You'll need to bring documents proving your Louisiana address when you visit the OMV office.
Driver Education Requirements
Louisiana requires driver education for all applicants under 17. You must complete the course at a state-approved driving school before you can get your learner's permit.
Classroom instruction
A minimum of 38 hours of classroom instruction covering Louisiana traffic laws, road signs, safe driving practices, and the dangers of impaired driving.
Behind-the-wheel training
At least 8 hours of in-car instruction with a certified driving instructor.
After completing driver education, your school will provide a certificate of completion. Bring this to the OMV when you apply for your permit.
Age 17 and older: Driver education is not required if you're 17 or older. You can go directly to the OMV to take the knowledge test.
Fees and What You Pay For
The Louisiana learner's permit costs $18. This fee is paid at the OMV office when you apply.
Instruction permit fee: $18
Retest fee (per attempt): $3
If you fail the knowledge test, you must wait 7 days and pay a $3 retest fee before you can try again. There is no limit on the number of attempts.
Driver education costs: The required driving school course is a separate expense. Costs vary by school, but typically range from $150 to $400 for the full program.
Documents You Need
When you visit a Louisiana OMV office, bring the following:
1. Proof of identity
A certified U.S. birth certificate, valid U.S. passport, or other approved identity document.
2. Social Security number
Your Social Security card or a document showing your full SSN (W-2, pay stub, etc.).
3. Proof of Louisiana residency
A utility bill, bank statement, lease agreement, or similar document showing your Louisiana address.
4. Driver education certificate (if under 17)
Proof that you have completed the required driver education course from a state-approved school.
5. Parent or guardian (if under 18)
A parent or legal guardian must be present to sign the application if you are a minor.
The Knowledge Test
The Louisiana knowledge test consists of 40 multiple-choice questions covering:
Louisiana traffic laws and regulations
Road signs, signals, and pavement markings
Right-of-way rules
Safe driving practices
Alcohol and drug laws (DUI/DWI)
Vehicle safety and equipment
All questions are based on the Louisiana Driver's Guide. There is no separate road signs section — sign questions are included in the main test.
The test is taken on a computer at the OMV office. There is no time limit, so take as much time as you need to read each question carefully.
Passing Score and Results
Louisiana Knowledge Test
40 questions
You must answer at least 32 correctly (80%) to pass. You can miss up to 8 questions.
You'll receive your results immediately after completing the test. If you pass, the OMV will process your learner's permit on the spot.
With 8 questions to spare on a 40-question test, solid preparation using the Louisiana Driver's Guide and practice tests should put you comfortably above the threshold.
If You Don't Pass
If you fail the knowledge test, you must wait 7 days before retaking it. You cannot retake it the same day or the following day.
There is a $3 retest fee for each additional attempt. There is no limit on the number of times you can retake the test.
Use the waiting period wisely. Review the sections of the Louisiana Driver's Guide that cover the topics you struggled with, and take additional practice tests until you're consistently scoring above 90%.
At the OMV Office
Here's what a typical OMV visit looks like when applying for your learner's permit:
1. Submit documents and application
Present your identity, residency, and SSN documents. If under 17, also bring your driver education certificate. Your parent or guardian must be present to sign.
2. Vision screening
A quick vision test to ensure you meet Louisiana's minimum visual acuity requirements (20/40 with or without corrective lenses).
3. Pay the fee
Pay the $18 instruction permit fee. The OMV accepts cash, check, and most debit/credit cards.
4. Knowledge test
Take the 40-question written test on a computer. You need 32 correct to pass.
5. Photo and permit
If you pass, your photo will be taken and your learner's permit will be issued. You'll receive a paper permit that is valid immediately.
Walk-ins are accepted at most Louisiana OMV offices. Wait times can be significant, especially at busy locations. Arriving early in the morning or mid-week can reduce your wait.
After You Pass
Your Louisiana learner's permit is valid for 180 days (6 months) from the date of issue. You can start driving immediately — but only under supervision.
Supervision requirement: While driving with a learner's permit, you must have a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old seated beside you in the front seat at all times. You cannot drive alone under any circumstances.
Use the 180-day permit period to accumulate supervised driving experience. Louisiana's GDL program requires 50 hours of supervised driving (including 15 at night) before you can apply for an intermediate license. Keep a driving log to track your hours.
Learner's Permit Rules
Supervision required: A licensed driver at least 21 years old must be seated next to you in the front seat at all times.
No solo driving: You cannot drive alone under any circumstances.
No cell phone use while driving (all use prohibited for under 18).
Carry your permit: Always carry your learner's permit when driving. You can be cited for driving without it.
Permit validity: 180 days. If it expires before you complete the GDL requirements, you'll need to reapply.
Louisiana's GDL Program
Louisiana's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program has three stages for drivers under 17:
1. Learner's Permit (15+)
Learn to drive with a licensed adult (21+) beside you at all times. Must hold for 180 days. Complete driver education if under 17.
2. Intermediate (Restricted) License (16+)
Drive independently with restrictions (nighttime curfew, passenger limits). Must complete 50 hours supervised driving (15 at night) and pass a road skills test.
3. Full License (17+)
Full driving privileges. GDL restrictions are removed when you turn 17 and have held the intermediate license for at least 12 months.
Getting Your Intermediate License (16+)
After holding your learner's permit for 180 days, you may apply for an intermediate license at age 16 or older.
Requirements:
Be at least 16 years old
Hold learner's permit for 180 days
Complete driver education (if under 17)
Complete 50 hours of supervised driving, including 15 at night
Pass the behind-the-wheel road skills test
Parent/guardian must certify the 50 supervised hours
Intermediate License Restrictions
Nighttime curfew
No driving between 11 PM and 5 AM unless accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years old, or driving to/from work, school, or a medical emergency.
Passenger restriction (first 6 months)
No more than 1 non-family passenger under 21 for the first 6 months of the intermediate license. Family members may ride without restriction.
Cell phone ban
All cell phone use while driving is prohibited for drivers under 18.
Getting Your Full License (17+)
All GDL restrictions are removed when you turn 17 and have held your intermediate license for at least 12 months.
Adults 18+ applying for their first license: If you're 18 or older, you can skip the GDL process entirely. You still need to pass the knowledge test and road skills test, but there are no holding periods or GDL restrictions.
The Louisiana Driver's Guide
The Louisiana Driver's Guide is the official study material for the knowledge test. All 40 test questions are drawn from this guide. It covers Louisiana traffic laws, road signs and signals, right-of-way rules, safe driving practices, and DUI/DWI laws.
The guide is available as a free download from the Louisiana OMV website. It is primarily available in English, with Spanish resources available at some OMV offices.
Study tip: Pay particular attention to the road signs chapter and Louisiana-specific traffic laws, as these tend to appear frequently on the test. Read the guide thoroughly at least once before taking practice tests.
Practice Tests
Taking practice tests is one of the most effective ways to prepare for the Louisiana knowledge test. Practice helps you identify weak areas and get comfortable with the question format.
DMV Question Bank: For thorough preparation, take Louisiana OMV practice tests on DMV Question Bank. The question bank covers all topics from the Louisiana Driver's Guide. Practice until you're consistently scoring above 90% before your test day.
A good study strategy: read through the Driver's Guide, take a practice test to identify gaps, re-read the relevant sections, then test again. Repeat until you can reliably pass with a comfortable margin above 80%.
Supervised Driving Requirements
To qualify for an intermediate license, you must complete a minimum of supervised driving practice:
50 hours of supervised driving practice total
At least 15 hours must be at night (between sunset and sunrise)
Your supervising driver must be a licensed driver at least 21 years old and must be seated beside you. Keep a driving log documenting each session's date, duration, conditions (day/night), and the supervising driver's signature.
A parent or guardian must sign and submit the completed driving log to the OMV when you apply for your intermediate license. The OMV may ask to review it.
Quick Reference
| Minimum permit age | 15 years old |
| Instruction permit fee | $18 |
| Retest fee | $3 per attempt |
| Wait after failure | 7 days |
| Permit validity | 180 days |
| Knowledge test questions | 40 |
| Passing score | 32 correct (80%) |
| Test format | Computer-based, multiple choice |
| Test languages | English, Spanish |
| Max attempts | Unlimited |
| Min. holding period | 180 days |
| Supervised driving hours | 50 total |
| Night driving hours | 15 hours minimum |
| Supervising driver age | 21+ |
| Driving log required | Yes |
| Driver's ed required | Yes, if under 17 |
| Driver's ed classroom | 38 hours |
| Driver's ed BTW | 8 hours |
| Min. age for intermediate license | 16 years old |
| Nighttime curfew | 11pm–5am (intermediate license holders) |
| Passenger restriction | Max 1 non-family under 21 (first 6 months) |
| Cell phone use | Prohibited for under 18 |
| GDL ends | At age 17 (after 12 months with intermediate license) |
| Appointment required | No (walk-ins accepted) |