Driving with 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 committing a crime. The state treats this as a separate offense from whatever caused the suspension in the first place. A first offense can result in up to six months in jail, a fine between $300 and $1,000, or both. Your license suspension will be extended, and you will have a criminal record that affects employment, housing, and insurance rates.

The consequences depend on how many times you have been caught driving with a suspended license. A second offense within ten years increases the jail time to up to one year and the fine to between $500 and $2,000. A third or subsequent offense can mean up to two years in prison and fines up to $5,000. Louisiana also has a mandatory minimum jail sentence for repeat offenses, meaning a judge cannot suspend the jail time entirely.

Key Takeaways

  • Driving with a suspended license in Louisiana is a separate criminal charge that carries jail time, fines, and an extended suspension period.
  • A first offense can result in up to six months in jail and fines between $300 and $1,000, plus an additional suspension on top of your existing one.
  • If you are stopped, the officer will likely impound your vehicle, and you will need to pay towing and storage fees to retrieve it.
  • The best way to avoid this charge is to check your license status through the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles before driving, or to request a hardship license if you need to drive for work or medical reasons.

How Louisiana suspends licenses and why you might not know yours is suspended

Your license can be suspended for many reasons: unpaid traffic tickets, failure to pay child support, DUI convictions, accumulating too many points from traffic violations, or failure to maintain car insurance. Louisiana does not always send a notice in the mail before the suspension takes effect, especially if your address on file is outdated. Many drivers discover the suspension only when they are pulled over.

You can check your license status for free through the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles website or by calling their customer service line. Have your driver's license number ready. If your license is suspended, the system will tell you the reason and the date it will be reinstated. Some suspensions are temporary and lift automatically; others require you to take action, such as paying a fine or completing a court-ordered program.

What happens when you are stopped while driving with a suspended license

When a police officer runs your license during a traffic stop and discovers it is suspended, they will issue you a citation for driving with a suspended license. You will be arrested or given a citation to appear in court, depending on the officer's judgment and whether you have prior offenses. Your vehicle will likely be impounded, and you will have to pay towing fees (typically $150 to $300) plus daily storage fees (usually $25 to $50 per day) to get it back.

You will be required to appear in court on the date listed on your citation. Failing to appear is a separate offense that can result in an additional warrant for your arrest. At your court hearing, you can plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest. If you plead guilty or are found guilty, the judge will impose the penalties listed above. If you plead not guilty, the case will go to trial, and the officer who stopped you will testify about the circumstances.

The difference between a suspended and revoked license in Louisiana

A suspended license is temporary. Once you satisfy the conditions that caused the suspension—paying a fine, completing a program, or waiting out a set period—your license is automatically reinstated or can be reinstated by paying a reinstatement fee. A revoked license is permanent or long-term. You cannot drive legally until you go through a formal reinstatement process, which may require a new written test, a new driving test, or both.

Revocation typically results from serious violations such as multiple DUI convictions, reckless driving, or habitual traffic offender status. If your license has been revoked, you cannot straightforward wait for it to expire and renew it. You must petition the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles for reinstatement, and approval is not may provide. Driving with a revoked license carries the same criminal penalties as driving with a suspended license, but the underlying offense is more serious.

How to request a hardship license if you need to drive

If your license is suspended and you need to drive for work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs, you may be able to obtain a hardship license (also called a restricted license). This is not a full license—it limits where and when you can drive—but it allows you to avoid the criminal charge of driving with a suspended license.

To request a hardship license, you must file a petition with the court that has jurisdiction over your case or the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, depending on the reason for your suspension. You will need to show that the suspension causes undue hardship and that you have a legitimate need to drive. Bring documentation such as a letter from your employer, proof of medical appointments, or court documents showing you are required to attend a program. The court or the Office of Motor Vehicles will review your petition and decide whether to grant the hardship license. There is usually a fee of $10 to $25.

Reinstatement fees and how to lift your suspension

Once the reason for your suspension is resolved, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles to restore your driving privileges. The fee is typically $100 to $150, though it varies depending on the reason for the suspension. If your suspension was due to unpaid fines or child support, you must pay those amounts in full before the reinstatement fee will be accepted.

You can pay the reinstatement fee online through the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles website, by mail, or in person at a local office. After payment is processed, your license is reinstated when ready if you are paying online or by phone, or within a few business days if you are paying by mail. Keep your receipt as proof of payment. If you are pulled over before your reinstatement is processed, the officer can verify the payment through the system and may issue you a temporary driving permit.

How a driving with suspended license conviction affects your record and insurance

A conviction for driving with a suspended license is a misdemeanor that stays on your criminal record permanently in Louisiana. Employers, landlords, and lenders can see this conviction when they run a background check. It may disqualify you from certain jobs, especially those requiring a clean driving record or a security clearance.

Your car insurance rates will increase significantly after a conviction, and some insurers will drop you entirely. If you are dropped, you will have to find a high-risk insurer, which charges much higher premiums. In Louisiana, you are required to carry liability insurance to register your vehicle, so you cannot legally drive without it. A conviction also adds points to your driving record, which can trigger another suspension if you accumulate too many points in a short period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a ticket for driving with a suspended license if I did not know it was suspended?

Yes. Louisiana law does not require the state to notify you before suspending your license, and lack of knowledge is not a legal defense. However, if you can show the court that you made a reasonable effort to check your status and the suspension was not properly recorded in the system, you may have grounds to challenge the charge. Bring documentation of your attempt to verify your status.

What if I was driving someone else's car when I was stopped?

It does not matter whose car you were driving. The charge is based on your license status, not the vehicle. You will still be cited for driving with a suspended license. The vehicle owner is not responsible for your violation, but their car may be impounded if you were the driver.

Can I get the charge dismissed if I reinstate my license before my court date?

Reinstating your license does not automatically dismiss the charge. You still must appear in court. However, you can present your reinstatement as evidence of good faith to the judge, and it may result in a reduced sentence or fine. Speak with a public defender or attorney before your hearing to discuss your options.

How long does a driving with suspended license conviction stay on my record?

In Louisiana, a misdemeanor conviction stays on your criminal record permanently. However, you may be able to have it expunged (erased) under certain circumstances, such as if you were found not guilty or if a specific amount of time has passed without additional convictions. Consult with an attorney about whether expungement is an option in your case.

What is the difference between a citation and an arrest for this offense?

If you are issued a citation, you are released at the scene and given a date to appear in court. If you are arrested, you are taken to jail and may have to post bail to be released. An arrest is more likely if you have prior offenses, if the officer believes you are a flight risk, or if there are other circumstances that make the officer believe you are a danger.