Driving Laws in Louisiana for Seniors and Older Drivers

Learn about driving regulations and special initiatives aimed at keeping both senior drivers and Louisiana’s highways safe.

While the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) enforces a plethora of laws and regulations that apply to drivers of all ages and stages, the state imposes certain unique requirements and limits on senior drivers.

The regulations of Louisiana are detailed in further detail below, although a number of them concentrate on recognizing and dealing with elderly drivers who may have become risky.

Louisiana, in particular:

requires drivers over the age of 70 to renew their licenses in person, and welcomes requests from any concerned citizen to initiate a hazardous driving inquiry.

Louisiana License Renewal Procedures for Senior Citizens

Drivers aged 70 and over who want to renew their licenses must follow special regulations.

Drivers above the age of 70 must renew in person every six years. Most drivers under the age of 70 may renew their licenses online or by mail if they renewed in person the prior time and received an invitation to renew from the OMV; otherwise, they must apply in person at their local OMV office.

A vision exam is required at the time of in-person renewal. Drivers may have an exam conducted by an outside ophthalmologist or optometrist, who must complete a Medical/Vision Form and perform the exam within 30 days of the renewal request.

Only if there are indicators of driving impairment is a written exam required.

A road test is only required if there are signs of driving impairment.

License Restrictions That Might Exist

The Louisiana OMV has the authority to impose limits on a person’s driver’s license. The most prevalent limitation for senior drivers is the need for corrective lenses or glasses.

Other frequent Louisiana limitations include:

driving a car with a left outside rearview mirror
driving a vehicle with an automatic gearbox
driving a vehicle equipped with power steering driving only while wearing a hearing aid\s no nighttime driving\s driving only within a defined radius of home\s time restrictions\s hand controls on car, and\s inside and outside rearview mirrors.

How to Request a Louisiana Unsafe Driver Investigation

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles will take information from any source acquainted with a specific driver who completes and submits a Report of Driver Condition or Behavior.

A doctor may also complete a Medical Examiner’s Certificate to record any visual restriction or physical ailment, impairment, or handicap that may compromise a patient’s ability to drive safely.

How to Restore a Driver’s License

For information on how to reinstate a suspended or revoked license, call 225-925-6146, Option 1, or visit one of the state’s local Motor Vehicle Reinstatement Offices.

How to Obtain Disabled Driver Parking Placards or License Plates

If a qualified medical examiner validates the condition, drivers with reduced mobility may be awarded disabled parking placards and license plates.

Hangtags and license plates are provided for people who:

cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest cannot walk without the use of, or support from, a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair, or other assistive device
have a serious heart disease or are severely restricted in their ability to walk owing to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic ailment.

The following steps must be taken in order to receive a disability placard or plate:

Complete and sign a Medical Examiner’s Certification of Mobility Impairment by a certified medical examiner, which includes individuals licensed by the state of Louisiana to practice medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy, or an advanced practice registered nurse.
Include a $3 charge.
Please bring the original application to any Motor Vehicle office.

Learn More About Senior Driving Rules in Louisiana

The OMV website provides basic information for Louisiana drivers, as well as access to many of the paperwork needed to address driving difficulties.