Drunk and drugged driving laws in Louisiana
Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is one of the most serious offenses in Louisiana. It covers alcohol and drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines that impair you.
Young drivers face a much lower limit, and the license penalties start the moment you are arrested, before any court case finishes.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can state the legal alcohol limits for each group of drivers.
- You can explain implied consent and what refusing a test costs.
- You can describe the license suspensions after a failed test.
- You can outline the penalties for a first DWI conviction.
- You can explain why only time sobers you up.
What you need to know and understand
- The blood alcohol limit is 0.08% for drivers 21 and over, 0.02% for drivers under 21 and 0.04% for commercial vehicle drivers.
- By driving in Louisiana you are deemed to have consented to a chemical test of your breath, blood or urine (implied consent).
- Refusing a test means a 365-day suspension on a first refusal and 730 days for a second or later refusal.
- A driver under 21 who tests at 0.02% or more faces a 180-day suspension.
- A driver 21 or over who tests 0.08% to 0.149% faces a 180-day suspension; 0.15% or more brings 730 days.
- After a refusal you must file proof of future financial responsibility (SR-22 insurance or $30,000 in cash or security) and keep the SR-22 for three years.
- Louisiana bans open containers of alcohol in a vehicle.
- Drug-impaired driving carries the same penalties as alcohol-impaired driving.
First DWI conviction: the maximum penalties
The guide estimates the total cost of a first conviction at around $4,500 once fines, court costs and lawyer fees are added. Penalties rise sharply for later offenses, and a third DWI is a felony. OMV may require an ignition interlock device before reinstatement, for example if a child 12 or younger was in the car or someone was injured.
- A criminal record.
- Up to six months in jail.
- A fine of up to $1,025 plus court costs.
- Loss of your license for one year.
- Possible community service, a driver improvement program and substance abuse treatment at your own cost.
Alcohol, drugs and time
Alcohol reaches the brain quickly and slows reactions, blurs vision and weakens judgment. Your body clears it slowly, and coffee, a cold shower or exercise do nothing to speed that up. Marijuana can affect judgment of time, speed and distance for hours, and mixing it with alcohol is especially dangerous. Read medicine labels too: impairment from legal drugs still counts.
If you see a drunk driver
The deeper guide on this site to Louisiana intermediate license rules explains how an alcohol violation also holds back a teen's next license stage.
- Keep as far away from the vehicle as you can.
- Do not try to signal the driver to pull over.
- Note the plate and a description only if it is safe.
- Pull over somewhere safe and call 911 with the location.
Common mistakes
- Thinking one drink is fine for a driver under 21. The 0.02% limit means almost any alcohol puts your license at risk.
- Believing coffee or food after drinking makes you safe to drive.
- Assuming refusing the test avoids trouble. Refusal brings its own one-year suspension.
- Driving the morning after a heavy night. Alcohol can still be in your blood hours later.
Test yourself: Drunk and drugged driving laws in Louisiana
Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.
Loading questions…
Go deeper
Sources: Class D and E Driver's Guide, DPSMV2052 (R08/25) (Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles); Suspensions page (Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, Driver Reinstatement); Traffic Safety Laws summary (Louisiana Highway Safety Commission). Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with the Louisiana licensing agency.