Driving on a suspended license in Louisiana is a criminal offense that carries jail time, fines, and a longer suspension
If your Louisiana driver's license is suspended and you drive anyway, you are breaking state law. The consequences depend on how many times you have done it before, but even a first offense can result in jail time of up to six months, a fine between $300 and $1,000, and an additional suspension added to the one already in place. A second offense within ten years increases the jail time to up to one year and the fine to between $500 and $1,500. A third or subsequent offense within ten years can mean up to two years in jail and fines up to $2,000.
Louisiana law treats driving on a suspended license seriously because the suspension itself exists for a reason — usually unpaid traffic tickets, unpaid child support, a DUI conviction, or accumulation of traffic violations. Driving anyway shows you are ignoring a court order, which is why the penalties are criminal rather than just civil.
Key Takeaways
- Driving on a suspended license in Louisiana is a crime, not just a traffic ticket, and can result in jail time even on a first offense.
- The length of your suspension and the reason for it do not change the criminal charge, but your driving history does — a second or third offense carries much steeper penalties.
- If you are stopped while driving on a suspended license, you will be arrested and taken to jail; you cannot straightforward pay a fine on the spot.
- The only legal way to drive during a suspension is to obtain a hardship license, which requires showing the court that driving is necessary for work, school, or medical care.
- If your suspension is due to unpaid fines or child support, paying what you owe can sometimes lead to reinstatement, but you must contact the Office of Motor Vehicles or the court that issued the suspension to find out.
Why your license gets suspended in Louisiana
A suspension is different from a revocation. A suspension is temporary — your license will be returned once the reason for the suspension is resolved. Common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, unpaid child support, a DUI conviction, accumulation of points from traffic violations, or failure to pay court costs.
When the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles suspends your license, they send you a notice in the mail. That notice tells you the reason for the suspension and, in some cases, what you need to do to get it lifted. If you do not receive the notice or miss it, you may not realize your license is suspended until you are pulled over.
You can check whether your license is currently suspended by visiting the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles website or calling them directly. Knowing your status before you drive is the safest step.
What happens if you are stopped while driving suspended
If a police officer pulls you over and discovers your license is suspended, you will be arrested. This is not a situation where you can pay a fine and drive away. You will be taken to jail, booked, and held until you can post bail or see a judge. The officer will impound your vehicle, which means you will also have to pay towing and storage fees to get it back.
At the jail, you will be given a bail amount or a court date. If you cannot afford bail, you may be released on your own recognizance, meaning you promise to show up in court. Either way, you will have a criminal charge on your record for driving on a suspended license, separate from whatever caused the suspension in the first place.
Even if this is your first offense, having a criminal record can affect employment, housing, and professional licensing. The charge will show up on background checks.
Hardship licenses: the legal way to drive during suspension
Louisiana allows you to request a hardship license (also called a restricted license) if you can show the court that you need to drive for work, school, medical treatment, or court-ordered obligations like child support payments. A hardship license does not lift your suspension — it gives you permission to drive only for those specific purposes.
To request one, you must file a petition with the district court in the parish where you live. You will need to explain why you need to drive and provide documentation: a letter from your employer stating you need to drive for work, a school enrollment letter, medical appointment records, or proof of child support obligations. The judge will decide whether to grant the hardship license based on your circumstances.
A hardship license is not automatic. The court can deny your request if the judge believes you have other transportation options or if the reason you need to drive is not compelling enough. If you are granted one, it typically lasts for the remainder of your suspension period and is valid only for the purposes you stated in your petition.
How to get your license reinstated
The steps to reinstatement depend on why your license was suspended. If the suspension is due to unpaid fines or court costs, you must pay the full amount owed. If it is due to unpaid child support, you must contact the Office of Child Support Enforcement or the court that ordered the support and arrange payment or a payment plan.
If your suspension is due to a DUI conviction, you may be required to complete a substance abuse program, pay a reinstatement fee, and wait out a mandatory suspension period before you can even request reinstatement. The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles website lists the specific requirements for DUI-related suspensions.
Once you have resolved the underlying issue, contact the Office of Motor Vehicles to confirm your suspension has been lifted. Do not assume it has been removed automatically — you may need to submit proof of payment or completion of a program. Only after the Office of Motor Vehicles confirms your license is reinstated should you drive.
The difference between suspension and revocation
A suspension is temporary. Once you resolve the issue that caused it, your license is returned to you. A revocation is permanent, and you must reapply for a license from scratch after a waiting period, usually one to five years depending on the reason.
Revocations are typically issued for serious violations like multiple DUIs, reckless driving causing injury, or driving with a suspended license multiple times. If your license has been revoked rather than suspended, the process to get back on the road is much longer and more involved.
You can ask the Office of Motor Vehicles whether your status is a suspension or revocation. The notice you received in the mail should also state which one it is.
Criminal penalties for repeat offenses
Louisiana's penalties increase sharply if you are caught driving on a suspended license more than once. A first offense carries up to six months in jail and a fine of $300 to $1,000. A second offense within ten years carries up to one year in jail and a fine of $500 to $1,500. A third or subsequent offense within ten years can result in up to two years in jail and fines up to $2,000.
These are criminal penalties, not traffic fines. A conviction goes on your criminal record and can affect your ability to find work, find housing, or obtain professional licenses. The jail time is real — judges do sentence people to jail for this offense, especially if there is a pattern of driving suspended.
If you have been charged with driving on a suspended license, speaking with a criminal defense attorney in your parish is important. An attorney can review the circumstances of your stop, challenge the evidence if there are grounds to do so, and potentially negotiate a reduced charge or sentence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a hardship license if my suspension is due to unpaid fines?
Yes, you can request one, but the court will consider whether you have other ways to pay the fines. If the judge believes you are using the hardship license request to avoid paying what you owe, they may deny it. It is better to pay the fines first if you can, then request reinstatement.
What if I did not know my license was suspended?
Lack of knowledge is not a defense in Louisiana. The law assumes you received the suspension notice sent to your address on file with the Office of Motor Vehicles. If you moved and did not update your address, that is still your responsibility. Check your license status regularly if you have had traffic violations or unpaid fines.
Will a hardship license show up on my record?
A hardship license itself does not create a criminal record. However, if you are caught driving outside the scope of your hardship license — for example, driving to a store when your license is only valid for work — you can be charged with driving on a suspended license, which is a crime.
How long does reinstatement take after I pay my fines?
Once you pay fines or resolve the underlying issue, contact the Office of Motor Vehicles to confirm your suspension has been lifted. This can sometimes happen the same day, but it may take a few business days. Do not drive until you have confirmation in writing or by phone from the Office of Motor Vehicles.
Can I get my vehicle back if it was impounded?
Yes, but you will have to pay towing and daily storage fees to the impound lot. These fees can add up quickly — storage often costs $25 to $50 per day. You will also need proof that your license has been reinstated before the lot will release the vehicle to you.