Louisiana Driving Laws for Seniors and Older Drivers

Louisiana's senior population is growing and the number of older drivers is rising with it. From 2010 to 2023, the number of licensed drivers 65 and older in the state increased by about 60%.

But the number of Louisiana seniors involved in fatal crashes grew even faster. According to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, it rose by 121% during that time.

While the many rules and regulations enforced by the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) apply to drivers of all ages, the state imposes some special requirements and restrictions on older drivers. Most of them focus on identifying and addressing seniors who might no longer be safe behind the wheel.

Louisiana License Renewal Rules for Older Drivers

In Louisiana, a personal driver's license (class E) expires six years after it was issued, generally on the driver's birthday. There's no early renewal requirement for older drivers in Louisiana, unlike in some other states. But the state has a few special renewal rules based on age. (La. Rev. Stat. § 32:412D.)

Older Drivers Must Renew Their Licenses in Person

Drivers 70 and older must renew their licenses in person at an OMV office every time, unless they have a medically diagnosed disability that prevents them from renewing in person.

Younger drivers have options regarding where they renew their licenses. All drivers can visit a license office to renew in person. At every other renewal, most drivers get a renewal invitation from the OMV giving them the option to renew:

• by mail
• online at expresslane.org, or
• through the LA Wallet app.

But there is no DMV online renewal for seniors.

Do Seniors Need to Take a Vision Test at Every Renewal?

The state requires drivers over 70 to pass a vision screening at license renewal. OMV personnel will conduct a test for free.

You also have the option to have your vision checked by an outside ophthalmologist or optometrist. If you do, your eye doctor must conduct the exam within 30 days of the renewal request and complete a Vision Examination Form.

If you don't pass the OMV license office screening, you'll need an outside exam showing you meet the state's vision requirement.

When Do Seniors Need to Have a Medical Exam to Drive?

State law requires anyone over 60 applying for a Louisiana driver's license for the first time to provide a medical report from a doctor or vision specialist. The report should explain any conditions that could affect the person's ability to drive safely. (La. Rev. Stat. § 32:403.1.)

The OMV can also require you to submit a medical examination report or vision report if there's reason to believe you have a medical condition that could impair your ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.

Do Older Drivers Need to Retake a Written or Road Test?

Louisiana doesn't require anyone to take a written exam or driving test at renewal based solely on age. But seniors can be required to pass the knowledge test or a road test if the OMV has indications of possible driver impairment (more on this below).

Louisiana's Driver's License Renewal Time Limit for Seniors

Drivers 70 and older are exempt from late renewal fines. Anyone can renew a Louisiana driver's license up to a year after it expires, but drivers younger than 70 must pay a $15 fine when renewing a license that has expired for more than 10 days.

Possible License Restrictions for Older Louisiana Drivers

The Louisiana OMV can place restrictions on your driver's license. The most common restriction for older drivers is to require them to wear glasses or corrective contact lenses while driving.

Other common restrictions in Louisiana include:

• driving only vehicles equipped with:
• automatic transmission
• power steering
• hand controls, or
• additional inside or outside mirrors
• using a seat cushion while driving
• driving only in rural areas or within parish boundaries
• no driving on interstate highways
• restricted to a maximum speed (like 35 mph or 50 mph)
• wearing a hearing aid while driving
• no nighttime driving
• driving only within a specified radius of home (5- to 25-mile radius), or
• driving only during certain hours (like 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

The OMV will place restrictions on your license based on self-reported conditions, a medical or vision report from your doctor, or observations made by an OMV agent during a road test.

How to Request an Unsafe Driver Investigation in Louisiana

The Louisiana OMV can investigate whether to revoke or suspend someone's driving privileges if there's sufficient evidence that the driver has a mental or physical impairment that could affect the ability to drive safely. (La. Rev. Stat. § 32:414E-F.) The evidence could be based on the observations of an OMV agent or a report from someone outside the OMV.

The OMV will accept information from a source with first-hand knowledge of the driver's condition who completes and files a Driver Behavior Report (Form DPSMV3005), including:

• health care providers
• family members
• law enforcement, or
• the courts.

In addition, a doctor can report any visual limitation or physical condition that might affect a patient's ability to drive safely by completing a Medical Examination form.

How to Get a Louisiana License Reinstated

For information on how to get your license back after suspension or revocation, you can:

• visit the OMV reinstatement page online
• call 225-925-6146 and select option 3, or
• contact your local OMV office.

You can check to see if you're eligible for reinstatement using the state's driver's license status inquiry tool or the LA Wallet app.

Do Seniors Need to Renew Parking Placards or License Plates?

Seniors with certain disabilities may also need to renew their parking placards or plates. The state issues mobility-impaired license plates and parking placards (hang tags) for permanent disabilities that must be renewed every four years. You can also get temporary placards, which are valid for up to one year and can be renewed once.

Residents with mobility impairments can get parking placards or license plates that allow the use of accessible parking spaces. These are available to people with disabilities who drive and to those who rely on a parent, spouse, or other caregiver for transportation.

To qualify for a hang-tag or plates, you must meet Louisiana's definition of "person with a mobility impairment," which includes anyone who:

• can't walk 200 feet without stopping to rest
• can't walk without getting help from a walker, cane, crutches, braces, a prosthetic device, or a wheelchair
• has severe lung disease
• uses portable oxygen
• has a severe cardiac condition, or
• has a diagnosed disease or disorder that creates a severe mobility limitation, including conditions that are arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic. (La. Rev. Stat. § 47:463.4E.)

To get a temporary or permanent disabled parking placard, you'll need to take the following steps:

• Have your doctor, chiropractor, physical therapist, or an advanced practice registered nurse complete and sign a Physician's Certification of Mobility Impairment (form DPSMV 1966).
• Pay the $3 fee (for a placard).
• Take the original application to any Motor Vehicle office.

If you're getting mobility-impaired plates for a vehicle you don't own (like your parents' car), you'll also need to submit a Designation of Mobility Impaired License Plate form.

You'll find more information about getting accessible parking placards and plates, including the forms you need, on the OMV's mobility-impaired parking information page.

Learn More About Louisiana Driving Rules for Seniors

The Louisiana OMV website offers an abundance of information for drivers, including driver education resources and a link to download the state driver's manual. You'll also find instructions for checking your driving record and can download the many forms required to manage driving issues in the state.