How a License Suspension Works in Louisiana
When your Louisiana driver's license is suspended, you lose the legal right to drive. The state's Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) removes your driving privileges for a set period or until you complete specific requirements — whichever comes later. A suspension is temporary; your license can be reinstated once the suspension period ends and any conditions are met. This is different from a revocation, which is permanent and requires a new license process after a waiting period.
The suspension takes effect on the date the OMV issues the notice, though you typically have a window to request a hearing before it becomes final. During the suspension, driving a vehicle is illegal, and doing so carries criminal penalties including fines, jail time, and additional license suspensions.
Louisiana suspends licenses for many reasons: unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, DUI convictions, accumulating too many points from traffic violations, failure to pay child support, and failure to maintain car insurance. Each reason has its own suspension length and reinstatement process.
Key Takeaways
- A suspended license means you cannot legally drive; driving during suspension is a criminal offense with fines and possible jail time.
- The OMV sends a notice before suspension takes effect, and you have the right to request a hearing to contest it.
- Suspension lengths vary by reason — traffic violations may suspend for months, while DUI suspensions can last years.
- Reinstatement requires paying all fines, fees, and court costs, and sometimes completing a safety course or other requirements.
- You can check your suspension status through the Louisiana OMV website or by calling their office directly.
Common Reasons for License Suspension in Louisiana
Traffic violations that accumulate points are the most frequent cause. Louisiana uses a points system: minor violations like speeding add 2 to 4 points, while serious violations like reckless driving add more. Reaching 12 points within a 12-month period triggers a 3-month suspension. A second violation within 24 months of the first suspension results in a 6-month suspension; a third results in a 12-month suspension.
Unpaid traffic fines and failure to appear in court also suspend your license. If you receive a ticket and do not pay the fine or miss your court date, the court notifies the OMV, which suspends your license until you resolve the ticket. This suspension stays in place even after you pay, until you formally request reinstatement.
DUI (driving under the influence) convictions carry the longest suspensions. A first DUI offense suspends your license for one year; a second within ten years suspends it for three years; a third suspends it for ten years. You may be able to drive with an ignition interlock device after serving part of the suspension, but only if the court approves it.
Administrative suspensions happen when ready after a DUI arrest if you refuse a breath or blood test, or if you test above the legal limit. This suspension is separate from any criminal conviction suspension and can last up to 18 months.
What Happens When You Receive a Suspension Notice
The OMV mails a suspension notice to your address on file. The notice states the reason for suspension, the suspension start date, the length of the suspension, and your right to request a hearing. You typically have 10 days from the date of the notice to request a hearing before the suspension becomes final.
If you request a hearing, the OMV schedules it within 30 days. At the hearing, you can present evidence and argue why the suspension should not take effect or should be shortened. An OMV hearing officer decides whether to uphold, modify, or overturn the suspension. If you do not request a hearing, the suspension takes effect automatically on the date stated in the notice.
After suspension takes effect, your physical license card remains valid as identification but cannot be used to drive. Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense. A first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $300 to $1,000 and up to 60 days in jail. A second offense within five years carries a fine of $500 to $1,000 and up to six months in jail, plus an additional license suspension of at least six months.
Steps to Reinstate Your License
Reinstatement requirements depend on the reason for suspension. For most traffic violations and unpaid fines, you must pay all outstanding fines, court costs, and a reinstatement fee to the OMV. The reinstatement fee is typically $100 to $150, depending on the reason for suspension.
For DUI suspensions, you must complete additional steps. You need a substance abuse evaluation from a Louisiana-approved provider, and you may be required to complete a DUI education program or treatment program based on the evaluation results. You must also pay all fines and court costs, obtain proof of insurance, and pay the reinstatement fee. Some DUI suspensions allow you to drive with an ignition interlock device before the full suspension period ends, but you must petition the court for this privilege.
For suspensions due to unpaid child support, you must work with the Office of Family Support to bring your account current or set up a payment plan. Once the OMV receives notice that the child support issue is resolved, you can request reinstatement.
For suspensions due to failure to maintain insurance, you must provide proof of current insurance to the OMV. If you let your insurance lapse, you must show proof that you now have active coverage before reinstatement.
Checking Your Suspension Status
You can check whether your license is suspended through the Louisiana OMV website at OMV.LA.gov. The site has a "Check License Status" tool where you enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The tool shows your current status, any active suspensions, and the reason for each suspension.
You can also call the OMV directly at 225-925-6146. Have your driver's license number and date of birth ready. The staff can tell you the suspension reason, the suspension length, what you need to do to reinstate, and the fees involved.
If you believe the suspension is an error — for example, if you paid a fine but the court did not notify the OMV — ask the OMV staff how to file a dispute. You may need to contact the court that issued the ticket or fine to confirm payment was recorded, then provide that documentation to the OMV.
Driving During Suspension and Legal Consequences
Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in Louisiana, not a civil violation. You can be arrested, and the offense goes on your criminal record. The penalties increase with each offense within a five-year period.
A first offense carries a fine of $300 to $1,000 and up to 60 days in jail. A second offense within five years carries a fine of $500 to $1,000 and up to six months in jail, plus an additional suspension of at least six months. A third offense within five years is a felony, punishable by a fine of $1,000 to $5,000 and one to two years in prison, plus a suspension of at least one year.
If you are caught driving during suspension, the officer will likely impound your vehicle. You will have to pay impound fees to retrieve it, in addition to fines and court costs. If you caused an accident while driving on a suspended license, you may face additional charges and civil liability for damages.
Options If You Cannot Afford Reinstatement Fees
If you cannot pay reinstatement fees and fines when ready, contact the OMV or the court that issued the original ticket to ask about payment plans. Some courts allow you to pay fines in installments over several months. The OMV may also offer a payment plan for reinstatement fees, though this varies by location.
For DUI-related suspensions, some treatment programs or substance abuse evaluations may be covered by Medicaid if you meet income requirements. Contact your local Medicaid office or a substance abuse provider to ask about coverage.
If you face financial hardship, you can request a hearing to ask the OMV or court to reduce fees or allow a payment plan. Bring documentation of your income and expenses. Courts and the OMV have discretion to work with you, but there is no may provide they will reduce fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to work if my license is suspended?
No. Louisiana does not issue "work permits" or "hardship licenses" that allow you to drive during a suspension. You cannot legally drive for any reason, including work, school, or medical appointments. Your only option is to use public transportation, carpool, or wait until your suspension ends.
How long does reinstatement take after I pay the fees?
Once you pay all fines, fees, and court costs and meet any other requirements, reinstatement is usually when ready or within one business day. You can drive as soon as the OMV processes your reinstatement. Check your status online or call the OMV to confirm before you drive.
What if I move out of state while my license is suspended?
Your Louisiana suspension follows you. If you move to another state, that state will see your Louisiana suspension in the national driver's license database and will not issue you a new license until the suspension is lifted. You must resolve the suspension with Louisiana before you can get a license in another state.
Can I get my suspension reduced or removed early?
For most traffic violations, no — you must wait out the suspension period. For DUI suspensions, you may petition the court to allow you to drive with an ignition interlock device before the full suspension ends, but this requires a court order and is not may provide. Contact the court that handled your DUI case to ask about this option.
Does a suspension affect my car insurance rates?
Yes. A suspended license is recorded on your driving record, and insurance companies see it. Your rates will likely increase, and some insurers may refuse to cover you. When you reinstate your license, the suspension stays on your record for several years, continuing to affect your rates.