Suspended license in Louisiana: points, other causes, and how to reinstate
Louisiana does not use a points system; it counts convictions instead. A Driver education, training, or improvement program (La. Code Crim. Proc. art. 892.1) can keep a ticket off the record, Not available if the driving record shows successful completion of a course under this Article within the two years immediately preceding the date of the allege. The fee to reinstate after a suspension that is not alcohol-related is $60.
A DUI is only one of the ways a license gets suspended. Points from ordinary tickets, an unpaid ticket, a lapse in insurance, unpaid child support or a missed court date each carry their own suspension and their own path back. The rules below are the ones the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of Motor Vehicles states, each quoted from its page or from the statute.
How the points system works
This state does not use a points system. What it uses instead — a count of convictions inside a period, a driver-improvement rule or a habitual-offender rule — is described below in the state's own words.
Louisiana publishes no point schedule. The Office of Motor Vehicles suspends for specific convictions and court or agency notices, and may open an investigation when a driver has been convicted of moving violations 'with such frequency as to indicate a disrespect for traffic laws and a disregard for the safety of others' (La. R.S. 32:414(E)). Ten or more moving-violation convictions within three years make a driver a 'habitual offender' under La. R.S. 32:1472, and no license may be issued for three years after the habitual-offender order (La. R.S. 32:1479).
Points period stated by the agency: 3 years. Louisiana has no point retention period. For habitual-offender purposes, moving-violation convictions count when the offenses were committed within three years of the date of the last offense (La. R.S. 32:1472). The Official Driving Record shows violations, suspensions and convictions; the Office of Motor Vehicles does not state a separate record-retention period on that page.
“ten or more convictions of separate and distinct offenses, committed within three years of the date on which the last offense is committed, involving moving violations, singularly or in combination, in the operation of a motor vehicle which are required to be reported to the department”
Check points or the driving record: expresslane.la.gov
The statute: La. R.S. 32:1472
“A "habitual offender" shall be any person, resident or non-resident, whose record, as maintained in the office of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, shows that such person has accumulated ten or more convictions of separate and distinct offenses, committed within three years of the”
Traffic school and point reduction
| Course | Driver education, training, or improvement program (La. Code Crim. Proc. art. 892.1) |
|---|---|
| Effect | Keeps the ticket off the record |
| How often | Not available if the driving record shows successful completion of a course under this Article within the two years immediately preceding the date of the allege |
Under La. Code Crim. Proc. art. 892.1, a court sentencing a person for a misdemeanor traffic offense may order attendance at a driver education, training, or improvement program approved by the court, or the violator may choose a program approved by the Office of Motor Vehicles under R.S. 32:402.2. The court may defer sentence for 90 days so the defendant can present a certificate of completion; when the court accepts the certificate it 'shall set the conviction aside and dismiss the charge', and the dismissed charge is not part of the driving record. Conditions: a valid license, a Title 32 misdemeanor other than speeding 25 mph or more over the limit, no course under the Article in the prior two years, one charge dismissed per course, and a court administrative fee of up to $10. Louisiana has no points, so the course does not reduce points.
“When a person complies with Paragraph E of this Article and a certificate of course completion is accepted by the court, the court shall set the conviction aside and dismiss the charge, but the court may only dismiss one charge for completion of each course.”
Other reasons a license is suspended, and what ends each one
These are the causes the licensing agency itself lists on its suspension pages, with what it requires to lift each one. Court-imposed suspensions and DUI suspensions are covered on the state's DUI pages.
| Cause | What the agency states | To reinstate | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written Promise Affidavit, In Lieu, and Out-of-State Affidavits (unpaid traffic ticket) | A license is suspended when a court reports an unpaid traffic ticket. The suspension ends when the Office of Motor Vehicles receives proof of compliance that includes the ticket number: a paid receipt, the final disposition of the affidavit, or a continuance with a new court date. | Proof of compliance with the ticket number (paid receipt, final disposition of the affidavit, or continuance) sent by fax, mail or the OMV Contact Us link, plus the fee. | $100 (Louisiana court); $60 (in lieu or out-of-state court); |
| Failing to appear on your court date | The same affidavit suspension applies when a driver fails to appear on the court date for a traffic charge. The Driver's Guide lists 'Failure to answer a traffic law charge' among the violations for which driving privileges are suspended. It ends when the court's compliance, paid receipt, final disposition or continuance is received. | Proof of compliance with the ticket number (compliance, paid receipt, final disposition of the affidavit, or continuance) and payment of the fee. | $100 (Louisiana court); $60 (in lieu or out-of-state court) |
| Nonpayment of Child Support | A license is suspended for failing to pay child support. The suspension ends when the Office of Motor Vehicles receives a Release Certificate or Partial Compliance Release from the Department of Social Services, referenced by the LASES number. | Compliance (with the LASES number): Release Certificate from the Department of Social Services (DSS) or Partial Compliance Release from DSS, plus the fee. | $60 |
| Nonpayment of Income Tax | A license is suspended for failing to pay state income taxes. It ends when the Office of Motor Vehicles receives a certified compliance release from the Louisiana Department of Revenue. | Certified Compliance Release from the Louisiana Department of Revenue, plus the fee. | $60 |
| Insurance cancellation notice | When an insurer reports a cancellation and the vehicle is not insured or disposed of in time, the Office of Motor Vehicles places a flag on the record and charges a fee based on the number of days without insurance: 2-30 days $125, 31-90 days $275, 91 days and above $525, capped at $850 plus a $25 administrative fee per cancellation when paid the same day ($250 cap at age 65 or older). Debts sent to the Office of Debt Recovery carry a 15% fee and are not capped. | Proof of insurance with a company authorized to write in Louisiana, or proof the plate was cancelled or the vehicle disposed of (bill of sale, total-loss statement, repossession, junk or salvage receipt, out-of-state registration), plus any lapse fee. | $125 (2-30 days); $275 (31-90 days); $525 (91 days and above |
| Driving While Suspended | A conviction for driving while under suspension adds a one-year suspension. The fee may be paid by phone with a debit or credit card, or by mail with a money order, certified funds or cashier's check, once the suspension time has expired. | Serve the one-year suspension, then pay the fee. | $60 |
| Three charges of reckless driving within twelve months | La. R.S. 32:414(B) directs the department to suspend the license for twenty-four months on conviction or bail forfeiture of three reckless-driving charges committed within a period of twelve months, alongside manslaughter or vehicular homicide, a felony using a motor vehicle, and failure to stop and render aid after a death or injury crash. | Serve the twenty-four month suspension; reinstatement requires payment of the reinstatement fee and satisfaction of financial-responsibility requirements under R.S. 32:414(H). | $60 |
| Habitual offender | A driver whose record shows ten or more moving-violation convictions for separate offenses committed within three years of the last offense is a habitual offender (La. R.S. 32:1472). No license may be issued until three years have elapsed since the habitual-offender order and financial-responsibility requirements are met (La. R.S. 32:1479). | Three years elapsed since the habitual-offender order, financial responsibility requirements met, and a $100 reinstatement fee on a department finding of compliance with the order. | $100 |
Source quotes for each cause
Written Promise Affidavit, In Lieu, and Out-of-State Affidavits (unpaid traffic ticket)
“If you have a suspended license due to an unpaid traffic ticket or failing to appear on your court date, you will need to provide one of the following proofs of compliance by fax, by mail or by the Contact Us link at the bottom of the page”
Failing to appear on your court date
“Fees Louisiana Court = $100.00 In Lieu = $60.00 Out-of-State Court = $60.00 Shreveport City Court = $87.50”
Nonpayment of Child Support
“If you have a suspended license due to failing to pay child support, you will need to provide one of the following proofs of compliance by fax, by mail or by the Contact Us link at the bottom of the page: Compliance (must include the LASES number) Release Certificate from Department of Social”
Nonpayment of Income Tax
“If you have a suspended license due to failing to pay state income taxes, you will need to provide compliance by fax, by mail or by the Contact Us link at the bottom of the page: Compliance Certified Compliance Release from the Louisiana Department of Revenue Fee $60.00”
Insurance cancellation notice
“If the vehicle is not insured or disposed of timely, then you will also owe a fee. Fees are based on the number of days without insurance. 2-30 days: $125 31-90 days: $275 91 days and above: $525”
Driving While Suspended
“If you have a suspended license for driving while under suspension, you will be required to serve a one year suspension time. When your suspension time is expired your fee may be paid over the phone with a debit or credit card or by mail”
Three charges of reckless driving within twelve months
“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”
Habitual offender
“the department shall restore to such person the privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state, upon the payment of a one hundred dollar reinstatement fee”
Reinstating after a non-DUI suspension
Reinstatement fee: $60. La. R.S. 32:414(H) sets a $60 reinstatement fee on expiration of any suspension or revocation, together with proof of financial responsibility under R.S. 32:896. Office of Motor Vehicles pages show cause-specific amounts: $100 for a Louisiana-court ticket affidavit, $60 for in-lieu, out-of-state, child-support, income-tax and driving-while-suspended flags, $50 for motor-carrier tickets, and $100 for a habitual-offender restoration (R.S. 32:1479). DWI reinstatement fees are $100, $200 and $300 by conviction count (R.S. 32:414(I)).
“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”
Check the license status and outstanding flags
The Office of Motor Vehicles states that a customer with flags on the record must clear those flags before obtaining any service; the Driver Reinstatement Status Inquiry lists them.
“If a customer has flags on their record, they must clear those flags before obtaining any OMV services. Check your driver license status online: Driver Reinstatement Status Inquiry”
Serve any mandatory suspension period
Each suspension type on the OMV page begins its compliance list with serving the mandatory suspension period; driving while suspended adds one year.
“Serve Mandatory Suspension and/or Disqualification Period”
Send proof of compliance for the cause
Compliance documents (paid receipt, court disposition, DSS release, Department of Revenue release, proof of insurance) are submitted by fax, by mail or through the OMV Contact Us link.
“you will need to provide one of the following proofs of compliance by fax, by mail or by the Contact Us link at the bottom of the page”
Pay the reinstatement fee
Fees are paid by phone with a debit or credit card, by mail with a money order, certified funds or cashier's check, or through a Public Tag Agency; the online payment cart accepts payment for flags that already have compliance on file.
“Fee Payments: By phone: debit or credit card accepted By mail: money order, certified funds, or cashier's check Public Tag Agencies: Contact your local agency”
Resolve every flag before the license is reinstated
The OMV states the license is not fully reinstated until all outstanding flags are resolved; reinstatement services at field offices are by appointment only.
“Your license will not be fully reinstated until all outstanding flags have been resolved.”
Official page: expresslane.la.gov
After a DUI the steps are different: how to get a license back after a DUI in Louisiana.
Driving during a non-DUI suspension
Available in some cases · Hardship license (restricted license for necessity of life or economic hardship). OMV Policy II-30.00 defines a hardship license as a restricted license issued administratively or by court order to a driver under suspension, allowing driving to earn a livelihood or maintain the necessities of life. For a first school-bus violation, first unlawful use, child-support enforcement when recommended by DSS, non-alcohol driving-under-suspension (affidavit-based suspensions) and nonpayment of income taxes, no court order or interlock is required. An economic or medical hardship license for other suspensions is issued only after the driver petitions the district court of the parish of residence and the court orders issuance; La. R.S. 32:415.1 provides that right on a first-time suspension under R.S. 32:414 or 415, with restrictions limiting driving to earning a livelihood.
“A court order or ignition interlock installation is not required for these violations: School Bus Violation 1st Unlawful Use 1st Child Support Enforcement if recommended by DSS Driving Under Suspension Non-alcohol related.”
For the privilege after a DUI, see driving after a DUI in Louisiana.
Questions about a suspended license in Louisiana
- Does Louisiana use a points system for traffic tickets?
- No. The Office of Motor Vehicles publishes no point schedule. Under La. R.S. 32:414(E) the department may investigate a driver convicted of moving violations 'with such frequency as to indicate a disrespect for traffic laws', and La. R.S. 32:1472 makes a driver with ten or more moving-violation convictions within three years a habitual offender, barred from licensing for three years under La. R.S. 32:1479.
- Can a driving course get a Louisiana traffic ticket dismissed?
- Under La. Code Crim. Proc. art. 892.1, a court may defer sentence for 90 days on a first misdemeanor traffic offense so the defendant can complete a driver improvement course; when the certificate is accepted, the court sets the conviction aside and dismisses the charge. It is not available for speeding 25 mph or more over the limit, or if a course was completed in the prior two years.
- What does it cost to reinstate a Louisiana license after an unpaid ticket suspension?
- The Office of Motor Vehicles Suspensions page lists $100 for a Louisiana court affidavit, $60 for an in-lieu or out-of-state court affidavit, and $87.50 for Shreveport City Court, after proof of compliance that includes the ticket number is received.
- How does Louisiana suspend a license for failure to pay child support?
- The OMV Suspensions page states that a license suspended for failing to pay child support is reinstated on receipt of a Release Certificate or Partial Compliance Release from the Department of Social Services, identified by the LASES number, and payment of a $60 fee.
- What is the general reinstatement fee in Louisiana?
- La. R.S. 32:414(H) sets a $60 reinstatement fee after any suspension or revocation, payable together with proof of financial responsibility under R.S. 32:896. DWI reinstatement is $100, $200 or $300 depending on the number of convictions (R.S. 32:414(I)), and habitual-offender restoration is $100 (R.S. 32:1479).
Sources
- Louisiana OMV - Suspensions (affidavit, child support, income tax, driving while suspended; fees; reinstatement process)
- Louisiana OMV - Cancellations & Revocations (insurance cancellation flags and lapse fees)
- Louisiana OMV - Driver Reinstatement landing page
- Louisiana OMV - Official Driving Record
- Louisiana OMV - Driver Reinstatement Status Inquiry
- Louisiana OMV Policy II-30.00 - Hardship License Requirements
- Louisiana OMV - Class D & E Driver's Guide (2017 PDF; list of violations that suspend driving privileges)
- La. R.S. 32:414 - Suspension, revocation, renewal, and cancellation of licenses (Louisiana State Legislature)
- La. R.S. 32:415.1 - Economic and medical hardship appeal of driver's license suspension (Louisiana State Legislature)
- La. R.S. 32:1472 - Habitual offender defined (Louisiana State Legislature)
- La. R.S. 32:1479 - Prohibition; habitual offender reinstatement (Louisiana State Legislature)
- La. Code Crim. Proc. art. 892.1 - Driver improvement programs (Louisiana State Legislature)
Cite this page
Every state page quotes the statute or agency page each value comes from; when citing this page, include the verification date shown above.
WheelsBack. "Louisiana license suspension, points and reinstatement rules." Verified against primary sources August 29, 2026; sources re-checked September 4, 2026. https://wheelsback.com/louisiana/suspended-license/