Points, tickets and licence suspension in Louisiana
Many states count points on your record. Louisiana's driver's guide does not describe a points system at all. Instead, it lists specific offenses that lead to suspension or revocation of your license.
For teens, the bigger everyday risk is the graduated license. One moving violation or seat belt ticket can delay your next stage by months.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can explain how Louisiana handles traffic offenses without point totals.
- You can list offenses that lead to suspension or revocation.
- You can explain how tickets affect a teen's next license stage.
- You can describe what happens if you ignore a ticket.
- You can explain the cost of driving uninsured.
What you need to know and understand
- The OMV keeps traffic convictions and crashes on your public record for five years, and DWI convictions for 10 years, including convictions from other states.
- Three reckless driving convictions within 12 months can cost you your license.
- Failing to answer a traffic charge can lead to suspension. Reinstatement after a Louisiana court suspension costs $100 on top of dealing with the ticket.
- Each conviction for driving while suspended extends your suspension by one year.
- Teens aged 15 to 17 can lose their license for dropping out of school or being habitually absent or tardy.
- Driving a car with no insurance and having a crash can mean your license is suspended and registration revoked for 180 days.
- If you are caught with no insurance, OMV fees start at $110 for a first offense and rise to $510 for a third or later offense.
Offenses that can cost you your license
- DWI, or refusing an alcohol test.
- Failing to stop for a school bus loading or unloading children.
- Leaving the scene of a crash that injured or killed someone without stopping to help.
- Vehicular manslaughter or any felony committed with a vehicle.
- Driving in violation of a license restriction, such as the teen curfew.
- Lending, altering or misusing a license, or lying on an application.
- Unpaid child support or state income taxes.
How tickets slow down teen drivers
To get an intermediate license, your parent signs that you had no at-fault crashes, moving violations or seat belt, curfew, drug or alcohol violations on your permit. To get a full Class E license at 17, you need 12 consecutive months with none of those. A seat belt ticket at 16 and 4 months means you cannot get your full license before 17 and 4 months.
If you get a ticket
Our deeper guide on this site, the Louisiana points system and teen suspension rules, has worked examples.
- Read the ticket for the court name, date and whether you can pay or must appear.
- Respond by the deadline. Ignoring it is itself a reason for suspension.
- Ask the court about your options before you pay, because paying usually means a conviction on your record.
- If your license is suspended, contact OMV about the steps and fees to reinstate it.
Common mistakes
- Assuming no points means tickets do not matter. Convictions stay on your record and can block teen license upgrades.
- Ignoring a ticket from out of state. Louisiana can act on it.
- Driving while suspended to get to school or work. Each conviction adds a year.
- Letting insurance lapse on a car you still have registered.
Test yourself: Points, tickets and licence suspension in Louisiana
Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.
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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); Notice of Violation page (Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles); Consumer's Guide to Auto Insurance, Rev. 03/2026 (Louisiana Department of Insurance); Louisiana Graduated Driver's License Laws (Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles). Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with the Louisiana licensing agency.