Title 32. Motor Vehicles and Traffic Regulation
Chapter 2. Driver’s License Law
32:414 Suspension, revocation, renewal, and cancellation of licenses; judicial review
A. (1)(a) The department shall suspend the license of any person for a period of twelve months upon receiving, from any district, city, or municipal court, of this state or of any other state, having traffic jurisdiction, or from any federal court or magistrate having traffic jurisdiction, satisfactory evidence of the conviction or of the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere and sentence thereupon or of the forfeiture of bail of any such person charged with the first offense for vehicular negligent injuring, R.S. 14:39.1, or for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of beverages of high alcoholic content, of low alcoholic content, of narcotic drugs, or of central nervous system stimulants, including those cases where a person’s sentence is suspended pursuant to Code of Criminal Procedure Article 893 or 894. The department shall promptly investigate an allegation made by such licensee that the suspension of his driving privileges will deprive him or his family of the necessities of life, or will prevent him from earning a livelihood. If the department so finds, it may reinstate the license of such licensee; however, such suspension and reinstatement shall be considered as a first suspension and grant of restricted driving privileges for the purposes of R.S. 32:415.1, and the driving privileges of the licensee shall be restricted as provided in R.S. 32:415.1 for a period of twelve months from the date of conviction or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere and sentence thereupon or of the forfeiture of bail. Notice of the restriction shall be attached to the license.
(b) Any licensee who has had his driver’s license suspended for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcoholic beverages under the provisions of this Subsection shall, upon proof to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections that his motor vehicle has been equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device, be issued a restricted driver’s license. In the event that the department fails or refuses to issue the restricted driver’s license, the district court for the parish in which the licensee resides may issue an order directing the department to issue the restricted license either by ex parte order or after contradictory hearing.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subparagraphs (a) and (b) of this Paragraph, upon first or second conviction, or a plea of guilty or nolo contendere and sentence thereupon or forfeiture of bail of any person charged with the offense of driving while intoxicated when the offender had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 percent or more by weight based on grams of alcohol per one hundred cubic centimeters of blood, the following restrictions on suspension and issuance of a restricted driver’s license shall apply:
(i) Upon first conviction, if the offender had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 percent or greater, his driver’s license shall be suspended for two years and he shall be issued a restricted driver’s license for the entire period of the suspension after he has provided proof to the department that his motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device. A functioning ignition interlock device shall remain installed on his vehicle during the first twelve-month period of the suspension of his driver’s license.
(ii) Upon second conviction, if the offender has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 percent or greater, his driver’s license shall be suspended for four years. The offender shall be eligible for a restricted license for the four-year period of suspension after he has provided proof to the department that his motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device. A functioning ignition interlock device shall remain installed on his vehicle during the first three-year period of the four-year period of the suspension of his driver’s license.
(d) When any person’s driver’s license has been suspended in connection to a first offense violation of R.S. 14:98, the office of motor vehicles shall suspend the person’s driver’s license consistent with the blood alcohol concentration reflected in the final case disposition and sentencing minutes. The administrative suspension for any chemical test submission shall be updated to be consistent with the blood alcohol concentration reflected in the final case disposition and sentencing minutes.
(2) The department shall suspend the license of any person 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 which is stopped for loading or unloading children.
(3)(a) The department shall forthwith suspend the license of any person thirty days upon third violation, and sixty days upon fourth and any subsequent violation of R.S. 30:2531(A) or 2531.1 relative to litter violations.
(b) When a person in violation of the provisions of R.S. 30:2531(A) or 2531.1 has failed to pay any penalty assessed in any previous violation of such Sections, his driver’s license shall be suspended sixty days upon third violation and one hundred twenty days upon fourth and subsequent violation.
(c) The department shall promptly investigate an allegation made by such licensee that the suspension of his driving privileges will deprive him or his family of the necessities of life or will prevent him from earning a livelihood. If the department so finds, it may reinstate the license of such licensee; however, such suspension and reinstatement shall be considered as a first suspension and grant of restricted driving privileges for the purposes of R.S. 32:415.1. However, nothing contained in this Paragraph (3) shall be construed as limiting or prohibiting a district court from granting a hardship or restricted driver’s license for the full period of the suspension.
B. The department shall forthwith suspend the license of any person, for a period of twenty-four months, upon receiving satisfactory evidence of the conviction or of the entry of a plea of guilty and sentence thereupon or of the forfeiture of bail of any such person charged with any of the following crimes:
(1) Manslaughter, vehicular homicide, third degree feticide, as provided in R.S. 14:32.8(A)(2), or negligent homicide resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle.
(2)(a) Conviction or the entry of a plea of guilty and sentence thereupon, or of the forfeiture of bail of any such person on the second offense for vehicular negligent injuring or for operating or being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating beverages, of central nervous system stimulants or depressants, or of narcotic drugs or any other drug or substance to a degree which renders him incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle, when any or all of the offenses were the result of violations of a state law, a municipal ordinance, a federal law, or any combination of them; however, any offense for vehicular negligent injuring or for operating or being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcoholic beverages which was committed more than ten years prior to the commission of a subsequent such offense of operating or being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcoholic beverages shall not be considered in determining the number of such offenses of operating or controlling a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcoholic beverages which the person has committed.
(b) Any licensee who has had his license suspended for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcoholic beverages under the provisions of this Subsection shall be eligible to apply for a restricted driver’s license after a period of forty-five days, upon proof that his motor vehicle has been equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device. In the event that the department fails or refuses to issue the restricted driver’s license the district court for the parish in which the licensee resides may issue an order directing the department to issue the restricted license by ex parte order or after contradictory hearing.
(3) Any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used.
(4) Failure to stop and render aid as required under the laws of this state in the event of a motor vehicle accident resulting in the death or personal injury of another.
(5) Conviction or forfeiture of bail upon three charges of reckless driving committed within a period of twelve months.
C. The department shall forthwith suspend the license of any person upon receipt of evidence satisfactory to the department of such person’s violation of any of the provisions of R.S. 32:414.1 constituting an unlawful use of a driver’s license. The suspension for a first violation shall be for a period of ninety days. The suspension for a second or subsequent violation shall be for a period of twelve months. On a first offense violation, the department is hereby authorized to issue a hardship driver’s license to any person who has violated the provisions of R.S. 32:414.1.
D. (1)(a) The department shall suspend the license of any person for a period of thirty-six months upon receiving satisfactory evidence of conviction, plea of guilty, or plea of nolo contendere, and sentence thereon, or of the forfeiture of bail of any such person as determined by any court of jurisdiction as set forth in this Section, with regard to a third or subsequent offense for vehicular negligent injuring or for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of beverages of alcoholic content, of narcotic drugs, or of central nervous system stimulants. Third or subsequent offenses for purposes of this Subsection does not refer to the criminal charge but rather to the number of offenses resulting in conviction, guilty pleas, nolo contendere pleas, or bond forfeitures within five years from date of first offense to the date of third offense.
(b) Any licensee who has had his license suspended for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcoholic beverages under the provisions of this Subsection shall be eligible to apply for a restricted driver’s license upon proof that his motor vehicle has been equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device. The ignition interlock device shall remain on the motor vehicle for not less than six months from the date the restricted driver’s license is granted. In the event that the department fails or refuses to issue the restricted driver’s license, the district court for the parish in which the licensee resides may issue an order directing the department to issue the restricted license either by ex parte order or after contradictory hearing.
(c) Any licensee who is enrolled in a driving while intoxicated court or probation program or sobriety court probation program certified by the Louisiana Supreme Court Drug Court Office or the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission as part of a drug division probation program as provided in R.S. 13:5304 and who is in good standing with the presiding judge may, not less than forty-five days following suspension of his license and upon order of the presiding judge to the department, be issued an ignition interlock restricted license sufficient to maintain livelihood or allow the licensee to maintain the necessities of life or to attend chemical dependency treatment sessions or meetings. The presiding judge may revoke the restricted license, by order to the department, upon receiving satisfactory evidence of violation of any restriction placed upon the licensee.
(2) Upon termination of the twenty-four month suspension set forth in this Subsection, the person whose license has been suspended shall be reinstated, provided no other suspension of license is outstanding and upon satisfaction of any financial responsibility law requirements and upon payment of a reinstatement fee as required by this Section.
E. The department may conduct an investigation to determine whether the license shall be suspended, cancelled, or revoked upon a showing by its records or other sufficient evidence that the licensee:
(1) Has committed an offense for which mandatory revocation of license is required.
(2) Has been involved as a driver in any accident resulting in the death or personal injury of another or serious property damage.
(3) Has been convicted of or has forfeited bail for traffic offenses involving movement of vehicles with such frequency as to indicate a disrespect for traffic laws and a disregard for the safety of others.
(4) Is a habitually reckless or negligent driver of a motor vehicle.
(5) Is incompetent to drive a motor vehicle.
(6) Has permitted an unlawful or fraudulent use of such license.
(7) Has committed an offense in another state or federal jurisdiction which if committed in this state would be grounds for suspension or revocation.
(8) Is afflicted with such mental or physical infirmities or disabilities as would constitute grounds for refusal of a license.
F. (1) Upon the conclusion of such investigation, the person holding such investigation shall prepare findings based upon the evidence received and considered. If the findings are to the effect that the person referred to herein is incompetent or is unfit to operate a motor vehicle upon any grounds upon which license may be refused as stated in this Chapter, the department upon a review of such findings shall have authority to forthwith revoke the license of such person, or if the findings are to the effect that the person therein referred to has by reason of negligence or reckless driving endangered life, limb, or property or has thereby caused loss of life or injury to person or property, the department upon a review of such findings shall have power to suspend the license of such person for a period not to exceed six months or may revoke such license and in either event shall require that such license be surrendered to the department.
(2) For cause satisfactory to the department, it is hereby authorized to suspend, cancel, or revoke the license of any person for a period of not more than one year.
(3) Any person whose license has been suspended, cancelled, or revoked by the department shall be notified of such suspension, cancellation, or revocation in writing by the department. This notice shall be sent by certified mail to the last address furnished by such person, and the person within five days shall return his or her license to the department. The notice shall also advise such person that he or she may obtain a special identification card from the driver’s license division of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections pursuant to R.S. 40:1321.
(4) The failure on the part of any person to comply with this provision shall be punishable as herein provided. Any person denied a license or whose license has been suspended, cancelled, or revoked shall have the right to file an application within thirty days thereafter for a hearing before the district court of the parish in which the applicant resides. That court is vested with jurisdiction to set the matter for hearing in open court upon ten days’ written notice to the department and thereupon to determine whether the person is entitled to a license or is subject to suspension, cancellation, or revocation of license under the provisions of this Chapter. Appeal from the decision of the district court may be taken to any court of competent appellate jurisdiction.
G. Any period of suspension or revocation under this Chapter shall begin upon receipt by the department of the operator’s license or proof of its loss, upon the expiration of the operator’s license, or thirty days after the date the notice of suspension is mailed to the licensee by the department, whichever occurs first.
H. Except as provided in Subsections I and J of this Section, upon the expiration of the period of the suspension or revocation of any license, the department shall return the license to the licensee or in its discretion may issue him a new license but only after a reinstatement fee of sixty dollars has been paid to the department and the requirements of R.S. 32:896 relative to proof of financial responsibility have been satisfied. Ten dollars of this fee shall be appropriated annually by the legislature for emergency medical services (EMS) needs and expenses. The collecting agency shall make a monthly report of the EMS funds collected under this provision to the state treasurer. The legislature shall appropriate the total as follows: fifty percent to the Louisiana Department of Health for the operation of emergency medical services, forty-five percent to the governing authority of the parish or municipality of origin to be used for the governing authority’s emergency medical services and public safety needs, and five percent to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections for expenses incurred in the administration of these fees.
I. (1) The reinstatement fee for a license of a person who has been convicted of or forfeited bond on or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a charge of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of beverages of high alcoholic content, of low alcoholic content, of narcotic drugs, or of central nervous system stimulants shall be one hundred dollars if one conviction appears listed on his record prior to application for reinstatement; two hundred dollars if two such convictions appear on his record prior to application for reinstatement; and three hundred dollars for each conviction on his record after the second conviction prior to application for reinstatement, and the requirements of R.S. 32:896 relative to proof of financial responsibility have been satisfied.
(2) After deposit in the Bond Security and Redemption Fund under the provisions of Article VII, Section 9 of the Constitution of Louisiana, an amount equal to forty dollars of each reinstatement fee for a single conviction and ninety dollars of each reinstatement fee for two or more convictions is hereby dedicated to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, public safety services, for traffic control and DWI programs and shall be appropriated by the legislature each year for that purpose.
(3) Ten dollars of the fee levied under the provisions of this Subsection shall be paid into the state general fund to be appropriated annually by the legislature for emergency medical services (EMS) needs and expenses. The collecting agency shall make a monthly report of the EMS funds collected under this provision to the state treasurer. The legislature shall appropriate the total as follows: fifty percent to the Louisiana Department of Health for the operation of emergency medical services, forty-five percent to the governing authority of the parish or municipality of origin to be used for the governing authority’s emergency medical services and public safety needs, and five percent to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections for expenses incurred in the administration of these fees.
J. If the suspension or revocation was due to mental or physical infirmities or disabilities, when such physical infirmities or disabilities are not the result of alcohol or drug abuse, upon the expiration of the period of the revocation of the license, the department shall return the license to the licensee or in its discretion may issue him a new license but only after a reinstatement fee in an amount equal to the issuance fees provided in R.S. 32:412 has been paid to the department.
K. (1) When any person’s driver’s license has been seized, suspended, or revoked, and the seizure, suspension, or revocation is connected to a charge or charges of violation of a criminal law, and the charge or charges do not result in a conviction, plea of guilty, or bond forfeiture, the person charged shall not be required to pay any reinstatement fee if at the time for reinstatement of driver’s license, it can be shown that the criminal charges have been dismissed or that there has been a permanent refusal to charge a crime by the appropriate prosecutor or there has been an acquittal. If however, at the time for reinstatement, the licensee has pending against him criminal charges arising from the arrest which led to his suspension or revocation of driver’s license, the reinstatement fee shall be collected. Upon subsequent proof of final dismissal or acquittal, other than under Articles 893 or 894 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the licensee shall be entitled to a reimbursement of the reinstatement fee previously paid. In no event shall exemption from this reinstatement fee or reimbursement of a reinstatement fee affect the validity of the underlying suspension or revocation.
(2) If a licensee qualifies for the exemption from the reinstatement fee or for a reimbursement of the reinstatement fee as provided in Paragraph (1), the licensee shall receive credit for the unexpired portion of the license which was seized, and shall be exempt from the payment of, or shall receive reimbursement for the payment of, the duplicate license fee and the handling fee with regard to the license which was seized.
(3) Reinstatement under this provision does not apply to the commercial driver’s license (CDL) disqualification of the license.
L. The department shall forthwith suspend the license of any person, for a period of ninety days, upon receiving satisfactory evidence of conviction, plea of guilty, or nolo contendere of any person charged with a violation of R.S. 14:333, if the court has ordered, as part of the sentence, the suspension of such person’s driving privileges.
M. Repealed by Acts 2008, No. 555, § 1.
N. The department may suspend the driving and motor vehicle registration privileges of any person who pays taxes or fees to the office of motor vehicles with a check which is subsequently dishonored for insufficient funds, if the person fails to redeem the check within thirty days after the date notice of suspension is mailed to the licensee by the department. The period of suspension shall begin thirty days after the date the notice of suspension is mailed to the licensee by the department. Any license so suspended shall remain suspended until all pending assessments against the person, including a reinstatement fee provided for in Subsection H of this Section, have been paid in cash. No economic hardship license shall be issued when a person’s driving and motor vehicle registration privileges have been suspended under the provisions of this Subsection.
O. The department shall suspend the driver’s license of any person upon receiving satisfactory evidence of conviction, plea of guilty, or nolo contendere of any person charged with a violation of R.S. 14:67.17.
P. The department shall suspend the driver’s license of any person, for a period of six months, if it has received satisfactory evidence of conviction, plea of guilty, or nolo contendere of any person charged with a violation of R.S. 14:100(C)(2).
Q. In accordance with Article 885.1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the department shall suspend the driving privileges of the person upon receiving notification from the court and sending the required notice to the person informing him of the suspension.
R. (1) The secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall suspend and deny the renewal of a taxpayer’s driver’s license when notified by the Department of Revenue that the department has an assessment or judgment against the individual that has become final and nonappealable, as provided in R.S. 47:296.2.
(2) The reinstatement and renewal of a taxpayer’s driver’s license shall be denied until such time as the individual has paid or made arrangements to pay the delinquent tax, interest, penalty, and all costs and the Department of Revenue notifies the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles, of the payment or arrangement to pay.
(3) The Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles, shall issue an economic hardship license, for a period of one year or until such time as the individual has paid or made payment arrangements as described in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, whichever occurs first, when an individual’s driver’s license is suspended and has not been renewed under the provisions of this Section.
S. (1) The department shall suspend the driver’s license of any person upon receiving a court order mandating such a suspension for a violation of R.S. 14:93.12.
(2) The department shall suspend the driver’s license of any person upon receiving a court order mandating such a suspension for a violation of R.S. 14:93.13.
T. (1) Upon notification of the first or second conviction under R.S. 32:295, the department shall send written notification to the driver that the driver has thirty days from the mailing of the notice to provide the department with a notarized affidavit stating he has acquired an approved age- or size-appropriate child restraint system where applicable. Should the driver fail to provide the department with the affidavit within thirty days of the date of the mailing of the notice, the department shall suspend the license until such time that the affidavit is produced and the driver has complied with all other requirements of reinstatement as provided by law and department regulation.
(2) The department shall suspend the license of any person for a period of one hundred eighty days upon notification of the third or subsequent conviction under R.S. 32:295. Reinstatement of licenses suspended pursuant to this Paragraph shall not occur until the end of the one-hundred-eighty-day suspension period, and the person has provided the department with a notarized affidavit stating he has acquired an approved age- or size-appropriate child restraint system where applicable and complied with all other requirements of reinstatement as provided by law and department regulation.
(3) Any person whose license is suspended for a second or subsequent conviction of R.S. 32:295 shall not be eligible to apply for or receive a hardship license.
U. The department shall deny or suspend the driver’s permit or license of any person, until his eighteenth birthday, who fails or refuses to present appropriate documentation that the person has complied with R.S. 32:431.1 regarding mandatory school attendance or if the department receives written notification pursuant to that provision that the person is a dropout or is habitually absent or tardy.
V. (1) The department shall suspend the license of a person for the same period of time as provided in Subparagraphs (A)(1)(a), (B)(2)(a), and (D)(1)(a) of this Section for the conviction or the entry of a plea of guilty and sentence thereupon, or the forfeiture of bail of any such person charged with vehicular negligent injuring committed while operating a watercraft or for operating a watercraft while under the influence of beverages of high alcoholic content, of low alcoholic content, of narcotic drugs, or of central nervous system stimulants.
(2) Any suspension or revocation of license due to the conviction or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere and sentence thereupon or the forfeiture of bail on the charge of vehicular negligent injuring or for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of beverages of high alcoholic content, of low alcoholic content, of narcotic drugs, or of central nervous system stimulants as provided for in this Section shall also prohibit the operation or physical control of a watercraft upon the waterways of this state during the time period of such suspension or revocation.
W. The department may suspend the license of any person for a period of two years upon receiving satisfactory evidence of a conviction, plea of guilty, or plea of nolo contendere for a violation of R.S. 32:58 when the operator fails to maintain control of the vehicle because of falling asleep and when such operation directly or proximately causes the death of a human being.
Amended by Acts 1950, No. 517, § 1; Acts 1954, No. 165, § 5; Acts 1958, No. 85, § 1; Acts 1962, No. 211, § 1; Acts 1966, No. 443, § 1; Acts 1966, No. 465, § 1; Acts 1968, No. 21, § 1; Acts 1968, No. 597, § 1; Acts 1974, No. 508, § 1; Acts 1976, No. 194, § 1; Acts 1976, No. 594, § 1; Acts 1976, No. 618, § 1; Acts 1981, No. 237, § 1; Acts 1982, No. 822, § 1; Acts 1983, No. 392, § 1; Acts 1984, No. 457, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1985; Acts 1985, No. 479, § 1; Acts 1986, No. 393, § 1; Acts 1986, No. 875, § 1, eff. July 10, 1986; Acts 1988, No. 70, § 1; Acts 1989, No. 813, § 1; Acts 1990, No. 292, § 1; Acts 1990, No. 933, § 1; Acts 1992, No. 327, § 2; Acts 1992, No. 605, § 1; Acts 1992, No. 831, § 1; Acts 1992, No. 941, § 1; Acts 1992, No. 947, § 2; Acts 1993, No. 842, § 1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex.Sess., No. 20, § 2; Acts 1995, No. 198, § 1, eff. June 14, 1995; Acts 1995, No. 516, § 1; Acts 1995, No. 520, § 2; Acts 1995, No. 797, § 1; Acts 1997, No. 1184, § 1; Acts 1997, No. 1296, § 3, eff. July 15, 1997; Acts 1997, No. 1455, § 1; Acts 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., No. 148, § 4; Acts 1999, No. 778, § 1; Acts 2000, 1st Ex.Sess., No. 91, § 1; Acts 2001, No. 812, § 2; Acts 2001, No. 878, § 1; Acts 2003, No. 188, § 1; Acts 2003, No. 364, § 2; Acts 2003, No. 453, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004; Acts 2003, No. 535, § 3; Acts 2003, No. 950, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2004; Acts 2005, No. 165, § 2; Acts 2007, No. 413, § 1; Acts 2008, No. 300, § 1, eff. June 1, 2009; Acts 2008, No. 688, § 2, eff. June 1, 2009; Acts 2009, No. 513, § 1; Acts 2010, No. 403, § 1; Acts 2010, No. 409, § 1; Acts 2010, No. 963, § 1; Acts 2012, No. 455, § 2; Acts 2012, No. 470, § 1, eff. June 1, 2012; Acts 2012, No. 663, § 1, eff. June 7, 2012; Acts 2014, No. 58, § 1; Acts 2014, No. 458, § 1; Acts 2014, No. 650, § 1; Acts 2016, No. 607, § 1; Acts 2019, No. 271, § 1; Acts 2022, No. 701, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2023; Acts 2023, No. 409, § 2; Acts 2023, No. 462, § 2.