Violating Louisiana driving and traffic laws can result in fines, the suspension of your driving privileges, higher long term insurance premiums and even appear on your official driving record. The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) does not use a point system to track violations and their corresponding penalties.

You may call the toll free number at (877) DMV-LINE or (877) 368-5463. On giving your Louisiana Driver's License number, you can find out if your license has been suspended. Re-instatement status is not provided online.

TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES

Traffic violations can happen either when the vehicle is moving or non-moving.

Some moving violation penalties like traffic ticket fines cannot be paid at the OMV. The court indicated on the ticket must be contacted and the amount of fine is determined by the court needs to be paid on or before the date indicated. If you fail to appear in court, the court will issue an order to the OMV suspending your driving privileges. You will then need to pay two amounts - one to the court covering the traffic ticket fine and/or court expenses, the other to be paid to the OMV, a reinstatement fee to get back your driving privileges.

Some of the violations that can lead to your license being suspended are:

• Being caught driving while intoxicated (DWI).
• Not stopping when a school bus is loading or unloading children.
• Manslaughter or negligent homicide by your vehicle while you are driving.
• Any felony committed while driving.
• Driving away from an accident site, in which you are a party, and which led to some one's injury or death.
• Three reckless driving convictions within a year.
• Not submitting to an alcohol analysis test when arrested for DWI
• Changing information on the license.
• Driving with a suspended license.

INFORMATION ABOUT DRIVING RECORDS

The Louisiana OMV maintains your Official Driving Records (ODR). Some violations are recorded on the ODR and will remain on record depending on the type of violation. This is also likely to increase your auto insurance rates. See our auto insurance section for more information about obtaining quality car insurance at competitive rates.

• Serious vehicle negligent injuries, DWI and Out of service convictions remain on the ODR for 10 years from the date of conviction.
• Suspensions or disqualifying violations remain on the ODR for 5 years.
• Minor traffic convictions, from date of conviction remain on the ODR for 3 years.
• If an accident is suspended due to Financial Responsibility, it remains on record until the accident is reinstated.

You can purchase an Official Driving Record (ODR) by mail, online or in person. To purchase an ODR by mail, you must send a written application including your name (as appears on your drivers license), birth date, address (where you want the report mailed), gender and Driver's License number along with a money order or certified check of $15 to:

Office of Motor Vehicles 
Attention: ODR
P.O. Box 64886
Baton Rouge, LA 70896    

To purchase an ODR online, you can go to www.expresslane.org, and enter the required information as it appears on your driver license here. You can pay the fee of $17 using a credit or debit card, irrespective of whether you view or view and print the ODR. To purchase an ODR in person, you may visit one of the Motor Vehicle Offices in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, Monroe or Shreveport and pay the fee of $15 in cash, money order or certified check.

HOW TO DISPUTE A MOVING VIOLATION CHARGE

If you believe you have been incorrectly charged with committing a moving violation, you may be able to fight the charge in court. See Traffic Tickets and Traffic Ticket Attorneys for more information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• To find out if you may be eligible for a hardship drivers license when your license is suspended, call (877) DMV-LINE or (877) 368-5463 or visit a Motor Vehicle Reinstatement Office.
• See also Driver's Education and Suspended Licenses.