What a Louisiana hardship license does and who can get one
A hardship license in Louisiana lets you drive to specific places — work, school, medical appointments, court — while your license is suspended. It is not a full license. You can only drive the routes and for the purposes the court approves, and you must carry the hardship license document with you every time you drive.
You can request a hardship license if your suspension is for a DUI conviction, unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, or failure to maintain insurance. You cannot get one if your suspension is for medical reasons (like failing a vision test) or if you are under 17. The court that suspended your license — not the Office of Motor Vehicles — decides whether to grant it.
Louisiana calls this a Hardship Driving Permit in the court system, though you may also hear it called a work permit or restricted license. The document itself is issued by the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles after the court approves your request.
Key Takeaways
- You must request a hardship license from the court that suspended your license, not from the Office of Motor Vehicles.
- The court will only approve routes and purposes you list in your request — typically work, school, medical care, or court-ordered programs.
- You need to show the court that losing your license causes genuine hardship: job loss, inability to reach medical care, or inability to meet court-ordered obligations.
- The process takes two to four weeks from the date you file, and you must pay a court fee that varies by parish.
- You must carry your hardship license document at all times while driving, and driving outside your approved routes is a new criminal offense.
Which court handles your hardship license request
The court that issued your suspension order is the one that decides your hardship request. If you were suspended for a DUI, that is the district court in the parish where you were arrested. If you were suspended for unpaid fines or child support, it is the court that issued the original ticket or support order.
You can find the correct court by calling the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles at 225-925-6146 and giving them your driver's license number. They will tell you which court suspended you and provide the phone number. Do not go to the OMV office in person for this — the court, not the OMV, handles hardship requests.
Once you know the court, call the clerk's office and ask for the hardship license request form. Some parishes have their own form; others use a standard petition. The clerk will tell you the current filing fee (usually $25 to $100) and whether you can file by mail or must appear in person.
What you need to show the court to win approval
The court will only grant a hardship license if you prove that suspension causes you genuine hardship — not inconvenience, but real harm to your job, health, or ability to meet a court order. You must submit a written statement (called a petition) that explains why you need to drive and what specific routes and purposes you are requesting.
For work-related hardship, bring a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating that you will lose your job if you cannot drive to work. Include your job title, the address of your workplace, and the hours you work. If you use your car for work (delivery, sales, service calls), explain that too.
For medical hardship, bring a letter from your doctor stating that you need to drive to medical appointments and why those appointments cannot be rescheduled or reached by other means. Include the doctor's office address and how often you need to go.
For school, bring an enrollment letter from the school showing you are a student, the school's address, and a statement that the school cannot be reached by public transportation. If you are a parent driving a child to school, bring the child's enrollment letter as well.
For any hardship, bring proof that you have no other way to meet the need — for example, that public transit does not serve your workplace, or that you live too far from the doctor to walk or use a taxi. The court is skeptical of requests that assume driving is the only option.
How to file your hardship license request with the court
Call the clerk's office of the court that suspended you and ask them to mail you the hardship license petition form, or ask if you can read it from the court's website. Fill it out completely, including your driver's license number, the date your suspension began, and the specific routes you need to drive (for example, "home to work at 500 Main Street, Baton Rouge, and home to Dr. Smith's office at 200 Oak Avenue, Baton Rouge").
Attach copies of the supporting letters (employer, doctor, school) and any proof that you have no alternative. Do not send originals — courts keep files and originals can be lost. Make two copies of everything: one for the court and one for yourself.
Mail the petition to the clerk's office with a check or money order for the filing fee. Include a cover letter with your name, phone number, and driver's license number so the clerk can match your payment to your case. Keep a copy of everything you send.
Some courts allow you to file in person instead of by mail. If you do, bring the original petition and supporting letters, pay the fee in cash or check, and ask the clerk for a stamped copy showing the filing date. This gives you proof the court received it.
What happens after you file and how long it takes
The court clerk will stamp your petition with the filing date and send it to the judge. The judge reviews it, usually without a hearing. If the judge approves, the clerk's office notifies the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, which then issues your hardship license document. The whole process typically takes two to four weeks.
If the judge denies your request, the clerk will mail you a written order explaining why. You can file a new request after 30 days, but you must address the reason for the denial — for example, if the judge said your employer's letter was not specific enough, get a more detailed letter the second time.
Once the OMV receives approval from the court, they will mail your hardship license to the address on file with your suspended license. It looks like a regular license but says "Hardship Driving Permit" and lists the approved routes and purposes on the back. You must carry it every time you drive.
What you can and cannot do with a hardship license
You can only drive the routes and for the purposes the court approved. If your approval says "home to work at 500 Main Street and home to medical appointments," you cannot drive to the grocery store, a friend's house, or anywhere else. Driving outside your approved routes is a new criminal offense — not just a traffic violation — and can result in arrest and jail time.
You must carry your hardship license document with you at all times while driving. If you are stopped by police and cannot produce it, you will be cited for driving with a suspended license, even though you have court permission to drive.
Your hardship license is valid only while your suspension is in effect. Once your suspension ends (for example, after you complete a DUI program or pay off your fines), the hardship license expires and you must explore for a regular license renewal.
If you move, change jobs, or no longer need one of your approved routes, you can file a new petition to modify your hardship license. Call the clerk's office and ask how to file an amended petition.
Alternatives if the court denies your hardship request
If the court denies your hardship license, you have a few options. You can wait 30 days and file again with stronger supporting documents. You can also ask the judge for a hearing where you can explain your hardship in person — some judges are more persuaded by a face-to-face conversation than by a written petition.
If your suspension is for unpaid fines or child support, paying what you owe will lift the suspension entirely, and you will not need a hardship license. If your suspension is for a DUI, completing the required DUI program or substance abuse treatment may shorten your suspension period.
If you cannot drive legally, you may be able to use a ride-sharing service, carpool with a coworker, or ask your employer about flexible hours or remote work. Some employers will adjust schedules to help an employee keep their job during a suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to places not on my hardship license if it is an emergency?
No. Louisiana law does not make an exception for emergencies. If you drive outside your approved routes, you are breaking the law, even if you were responding to a genuine emergency. If you face a true emergency, call 911 instead of driving yourself.
What if my employer will not write a letter supporting my hardship request?
If your employer refuses to write a letter, the court will likely deny your request, because you cannot prove you will lose your job. If you believe your employer is retaliating against you for requesting the letter, you may have a separate legal claim, but that does not help your hardship license case. Consider whether another job with a more supportive employer is an option.
How much does a hardship license cost?
The court filing fee ranges from $25 to $100 depending on the parish. Once the court approves it, the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles issues the document at no additional charge. There is no fee to renew or modify a hardship license while your suspension is active.
Can I get a hardship license if my license was suspended for a medical reason?
No. Hardship licenses are only for suspensions due to DUI, unpaid fines, child support, or insurance violations. If your suspension is medical (vision, hearing, or a doctor's report), you must pass the required medical test or get medical clearance before you can drive again.
What happens if I am caught driving outside my approved routes?
You will be arrested for driving with a suspended license, which is a criminal offense in Louisiana. You will face fines, possible jail time, and an extension of your original suspension. The hardship license will be revoked when ready.