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The Louisiana knowledge test has 40 multiple-choice questions, and you need 80% (32 correct) to pass. This practice test is the same length, so you can time and score it like the real one. All 40 questions are original and unofficial: they are written from the Louisiana Class D and E Driver’s Guide and OMV rules, not taken from the OMV’s own test.
Louisiana knowledge test: key facts
- 40 multiple-choice questions on traffic signs, signals, safe driving and Louisiana law.
- Pass mark: 80%, which is 32 correct. You can miss 8.
- Teens take it through their driver education provider after the 30-hour classroom part, or at the OMV.
- You need a Temporary Instructional Permit (TIP) before you test.
How the test works and what to bring: the Louisiana OMV knowledge test guide. The full licensing process is in learning to drive in Louisiana.
Louisiana road signs (questions 1 to 6)
1. You can recognize a STOP sign from behind, or when it is covered in snow, because it is the only sign that is:
- A. Triangular
- B. Round
- C. Eight-sided (an octagon)
- D. Shaped like a pennant
Answer: C. Only STOP signs use the octagon shape. Driver’s Guide topic: signs.
2. A yellow diamond-shaped sign usually warns you about:
- A. A law you must obey
- B. A hazard or change in the road ahead, such as a curve
- C. Gas, food and lodging
- D. A route number
Answer: B. Yellow diamonds are warning signs. Driver’s Guide topic: signs.
3. A yellow pennant-shaped sign on the left side of the road means:
- A. You are entering a no-passing zone
- B. A narrow bridge is ahead
- C. The road is slippery when wet
- D. Two-way traffic ends
Answer: A. The pennant marks the start of a no-passing zone and is placed on the driver’s left. Driver’s Guide topic: signs.
4. Orange signs with black letters or symbols tell you that:
- A. A school is nearby
- B. A hospital is nearby
- C. A scenic area is ahead
- D. You are coming to a work zone
Answer: D. Orange is the color for work zone signs. Slow down and watch for workers and equipment. Driver’s Guide topic: signs.
5. Fluorescent pink signs with black lettering are used for:
- A. School zones
- B. Hospital zones
- C. Unplanned incidents such as crashes, spills and road closures
- D. Scenic routes
Answer: C. Pink signs guide traffic around incidents and emergency detours. Louisiana’s move over law also applies near roadside incidents. Driver’s Guide topic: signs.
6. A SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT WHEN FLASHING sign means the lower school limit applies:
- A. Only while the lights are flashing
- B. All day on school days
- C. Only when you can see children
- D. From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday
Answer: A. When the lights are not flashing, the normal posted limit applies. Driver’s Guide topic: signs.
Signals and pavement markings (questions 7 to 10)
7. A steady yellow traffic light means:
- A. Speed up to beat the red light
- B. The light is about to turn red, so stop if you can do so safely
- C. Stop even if you are already in the intersection
- D. Pedestrians have the right of way
Answer: B. Steady yellow warns that red is next. If you are too close to stop safely, go through with care. Driver’s Guide topic: signals.
8. A flashing red traffic light means:
- A. Slow down and go ahead with caution
- B. The signal is broken, so you may ignore it
- C. Stop only if other cars are there
- D. Come to a complete stop, then go when it is safe, as at a STOP sign
Answer: D. Treat a flashing red light exactly like a STOP sign. Driver’s Guide topic: signals.
9. A flashing yellow left-turn arrow means you may turn left:
- A. Without stopping, because oncoming traffic must stop
- B. Only after waiting three seconds
- C. After yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
- D. Only if a police officer waves you on
Answer: C. This is a permissive turn. Oncoming traffic may have a green light, so wait for a safe gap. Driver’s Guide topic: signals.
10. Two solid yellow lines down the center of a two-lane road mean:
- A. Passing is allowed in both directions
- B. No passing in either direction
- C. Passing is allowed only in daylight
- D. The road is one-way
Answer: B. Double solid yellow lines mark a no-passing area for traffic both ways. Driver’s Guide topic: pavement markings.
Right of way, turns and roundabouts (questions 11 to 18)
11. You and another car reach a four-way stop at the same time. The other car is on your right. Who goes first?
- A. You do, because you are on the left
- B. Whoever is driving the larger vehicle
- C. Whoever signals first
- D. The car on your right
Answer: D. When drivers arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Driver’s Guide topic: right of way.
12. You are turning left on a solid green light with no arrow. You must:
- A. Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before you turn
- B. Go first, because you have a green light
- C. Turn quickly before oncoming cars reach you
- D. Wait for the light to turn yellow
Answer: A. A plain green light lets you turn left only when there is a safe gap. Driver’s Guide topic: right of way.
13. A pedestrian is crossing in a marked crosswalk ahead of you and there is no signal. You must:
- A. Yield and let the pedestrian cross
- B. Sound your horn so the pedestrian hurries
- C. Drive around the pedestrian
- D. Go first because cars have the right of way
Answer: A. Pedestrians in a crosswalk have the right of way. Driver’s Guide topic: pedestrians.
14. An ambulance with its siren and lights on is coming up behind you. You must:
- A. Speed up to stay ahead of it
- B. Stop at once, even in the middle of an intersection
- C. Pull over to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes
- D. Move to the left lane and keep going
Answer: C. Clear any intersection first, then pull to the right and stop. Driver’s Guide topic: emergency vehicles.
15. What is the closest you may follow an emergency vehicle that is answering a call in Louisiana?
- A. 100 feet
- B. 200 feet
- C. 300 feet
- D. 500 feet
Answer: D. Following an emergency vehicle closer than 500 feet is unlawful. Driver’s Guide topic: emergency vehicles.
16. A funeral procession is passing through an intersection in front of you. You should:
- A. Join the procession to get through faster
- B. Yield and let the vehicles in the procession go through
- C. Drive between two of the procession cars
- D. Go if your light is green
Answer: B. Louisiana requires drivers to yield the right of way to vehicles taking part in a funeral procession. Driver’s Guide topic: right of way.
17. The Louisiana guide says a suitable speed inside a roundabout is:
- A. 15 mph or less
- B. 25 mph
- C. 35 mph
- D. 45 mph
Answer: A. Slow down before you enter, yield to traffic already circulating and keep your speed low. Driver’s Guide topic: roundabouts.
18. Louisiana law requires you to signal continuously for at least how far before a turn?
- A. 25 feet
- B. 50 feet
- C. 100 feet
- D. 500 feet
Answer: C. Signal and get into the proper lane at least 100 feet before you turn. Signal earlier at higher speeds. Driver’s Guide topic: turns.
Speed, space and lights (questions 19 to 23)
19. On a dry road, the Louisiana guide tells you to follow no closer than:
- A. 1 second
- B. 2 seconds
- C. 3 seconds
- D. 5 seconds
Answer: C. Count from when the car ahead passes a fixed object. If you reach it before three seconds, you are too close. Driver’s Guide topic: following distance.
20. In bad weather or on wet pavement, increase your following distance to at least:
- A. 2 seconds
- B. 3 seconds
- C. 4 seconds
- D. 10 seconds
Answer: C. The guide adds a second for wet roads and bad weather, and more at night. Driver’s Guide topic: following distance.
21. Unless an exception applies, the highest speed limit for any vehicle in Louisiana is:
- A. 55 mph
- B. 65 mph
- C. 70 mph
- D. 80 mph
Answer: C. The guide sets 70 mph as the general maximum, with lower limits where posted and 75 mph on parts of I-49. Driver’s Guide topic: speed limits.
22. You must dim your high beams when you come within how far of an oncoming vehicle?
- A. 100 feet
- B. 200 feet
- C. 500 feet
- D. 1,000 feet
Answer: C. Dim within 500 feet of oncoming traffic, and within 200 feet when you are following another vehicle. Driver’s Guide topic: headlights.
23. The Louisiana guide says partial hydroplaning can start at about:
- A. 15 mph
- B. 35 mph
- C. 55 mph
- D. 75 mph
Answer: B. The risk grows with speed, so slow down on wet roads and keep your tires in good shape. Driver’s Guide topic: hydroplaning.
Parking (questions 24 to 25)
24. In Louisiana you may not park within how many feet of a fire hydrant?
- A. 5 feet
- B. 10 feet
- C. 15 feet
- D. 25 feet
Answer: C. Keep 15 feet clear of a hydrant so fire crews can reach it. Driver’s Guide topic: parking.
25. You may not park within how many feet of a railroad crossing?
- A. 10 feet
- B. 15 feet
- C. 25 feet
- D. 50 feet
Answer: D. The guide also bans parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection. Driver’s Guide topic: parking.
School buses and railroad crossings (questions 26 to 29)
26. A school bus ahead has stopped to load children, with red lights flashing. In Louisiana you must stop at least how far from it?
- A. 10 feet
- B. 15 feet
- C. 20 feet
- D. 30 feet
Answer: D. Stop at least 30 feet away and wait until the bus moves on. This applies whether you are behind it or meeting it. Driver’s Guide topic: school buses.
27. A school bus is stopped with red lights flashing on the other side of a highway divided by a grassy median. You:
- A. Do not have to stop, but should watch for children
- B. Must stop and wait for the lights to go off
- C. Must stop only if children are visible
- D. Must stop for 30 seconds
Answer: A. Drivers on the far side of a ditch, grassy median or barrier are not required to stop. Driver’s Guide topic: school buses.
28. What do a school bus’s flashing yellow lights tell you?
- A. The bus has finished its stop
- B. The bus is about to stop, so slow down and get ready to stop
- C. You may pass the bus on the right
- D. The bus is carrying no children
Answer: B. Bus drivers switch on the yellow lights at least 100 feet, and no more than 500 feet, before a stop. Driver’s Guide topic: school buses.
29. A crossing gate is down at a railroad crossing. Louisiana law says you must stop:
- A. Within 50 feet but no less than 15 feet from the nearest rail
- B. Right against the gate arm
- C. At least 100 feet from the tracks
- D. On the tracks, if the gate is behind you
Answer: A. R.S. 32:171 sets this stopping zone when gates are down or signals show a train coming. Driver’s Guide topic: railroad crossings.
Alcohol and DWI (questions 30 to 33)
30. What is the only thing that lowers your blood alcohol level?
- A. Black coffee
- B. A cold shower
- C. Eating a large meal
- D. Time
Answer: D. Your body removes alcohol at a steady rate, and nothing speeds it up. Driver’s Guide topic: alcohol.
31. For drivers 21 and older, the Louisiana legal limit is a BAC of:
- A. 0.02%
- B. 0.05%
- C. 0.08%
- D. 0.10%
Answer: C. At 0.08% or more, a driver 21 or older is over the limit. Driver’s Guide topic: alcohol and drugs.
32. A driver under 21 takes a chemical test and shows a BAC of 0.02% or more. In Louisiana, driving privileges are suspended for:
- A. 30 days
- B. 90 days
- C. 180 days
- D. 730 days
Answer: C. Louisiana’s under-21 limit is 0.02%, and penalties increase with each later offense. Driver’s Guide topic: alcohol and drugs.
33. You are arrested for DWI and refuse the chemical test. On a first refusal, Louisiana suspends your driving privileges for:
- A. 30 days
- B. 90 days
- C. 180 days
- D. 365 days
Answer: D. A second or later refusal brings 730 days. You also need proof of future financial responsibility, such as an SR-22, to reinstate. Driver’s Guide topic: implied consent.
Louisiana permit, intermediate license and phone rules (questions 34 to 40)
34. Before you can take the Louisiana knowledge test as a teen, you must hold a:
- A. Intermediate license
- B. Temporary Instructional Permit (TIP)
- C. Hardship license
- D. Full Class E license
Answer: B. The TIP comes first. It also lets you drive only with a licensed driving school instructor. OMV permits page: licensing.
35. How long must you hold a Louisiana learner’s permit before you can move to an intermediate license?
- A. 30 days
- B. 90 days
- C. 180 days
- D. 1 year
Answer: C. You also need to be at least 16 and to have logged 50 supervised hours. OMV GDL rules: graduated licensing.
36. How many of your 50 supervised practice hours must be at night?
- A. 5
- B. 10
- C. 15
- D. 20
Answer: C. A parent or guardian signs a statement confirming the 50 hours, 15 of them at night. OMV GDL rules: graduated licensing.
37. A 16-year-old on a Louisiana intermediate license may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless:
- A. A licensed parent, guardian, adult 21 or older, or sibling 18 or older is in the car
- B. They are driving home from work
- C. They are driving to school
- D. They are alone in the car
Answer: A. The guide and OMV pages list no work or school exceptions. See Louisiana intermediate license rules. OMV GDL rules: graduated licensing.
38. From 6 p.m. to 5 a.m., an intermediate license holder may carry how many passengers under 21 who are not immediate family, unless a licensed adult 21 or older is with them?
- A. 0
- B. 1
- C. 2
- D. 3
Answer: B. Brothers and sisters do not count toward the limit. Before 6 p.m. no passenger limit is set. OMV GDL rules: graduated licensing.
39. A Louisiana driver aged 17 or younger may use a wireless device to make a call or text while driving:
- A. Not at all, except in an emergency
- B. Only with a hands-free device
- C. Only at a red light
- D. Only after one year of driving
Answer: A. Drivers 17 and under may not call or text while driving. All drivers must be hands-free, and nobody may text or use social media. Driver’s Guide topic: distracted driving.
40. Under Louisiana’s child seat law, a child rides rear facing in an approved seat from birth until at least age:
- A. 1
- B. 2
- C. 4
- D. 6
Answer: B. From 2 to 4 a child uses a forward-facing seat, then a booster from 4 to 9. Driver’s Guide topic: safety belts and child seats.
How to score yourself against the Louisiana standard
| Correct out of 40 | What it means |
|---|---|
| 36 to 40 | Ready to book. |
| 32 to 35 | A pass at the 80% standard. Reread the sections you missed. |
| Under 32 | A fail on the real test. Go back to the Driver’s Guide, starting with the numbers. |
The Driver’s Guide tells you to learn every number in it: 30 feet for school buses, 15 to 50 feet at railroad crossings, 500 feet behind emergency vehicles and 100 feet for turn signals. Those figures come up often.
Common questions
Are these the real Louisiana OMV test questions?
No. They are original, unofficial practice questions written from the Class D and E Driver’s Guide and OMV pages. The real test draws on the same guide.
How many questions can I miss on the Louisiana permit test?
Eight. You need 32 of 40 correct (80%).
Can I take the Louisiana permit test online?
No online option appears on the OMV pages. Teens usually take it through their driver education provider. See the knowledge test guide.
Do I need driver’s ed before the test?
Yes, for teens. The 38-hour course is 30 hours in the classroom and 8 behind the wheel, and the test is given when the classroom part ends. See Louisiana teen driver ed and the 50 hour practice statement.
What should I study besides signs?
Louisiana’s own rules: the intermediate license curfew and passenger limits, the phone ban for drivers 17 and under, the 0.02% under-21 limit and the 365-day refusal suspension.
Are there practice tests for other states?
Yes. See US permit practice tests by state.
Sources
- Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, “Class D and E Driver’s Guide” (DPSMV 2052, R08/25) (public.powerdms.com)
- Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, “Permits” (expresslane.la.gov)
- Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, “Upgrading to a Class E Intermediate License” (expresslane.la.gov)
- Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, “Louisiana Graduated Driver’s License Laws” (expresslane.la.gov)