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 — even though your license is suspended. You cannot use it for any other reason. It is not a full license, and it does not restore your driving privileges everywhere.
You can request a hardship license if your suspension is for unpaid traffic fines, unpaid child support, or a DUI conviction (after a waiting period). You cannot get one if your suspension is for a medical reason, a serious safety violation, or a revocation (which is permanent until you meet specific conditions). The Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) decides whether to grant it based on your reason for suspension and your driving record.
The hardship license is temporary. It lasts only as long as your suspension would have lasted, or until you resolve the underlying reason — whichever comes first. Once your suspension ends, your regular license is restored automatically if you have no other holds on your record.
Key Takeaways
- You must request a hardship license in person at an OMV office, not online or by mail, and bring proof of your reason for needing it (job letter, school enrollment, medical appointment).
- The OMV charges a fee for the hardship license, which varies but is typically under $100; you pay whether or not your request is approved.
- Your hardship license lists the specific purposes you can drive for, and driving for any other reason is a new violation that can result in arrest.
- If your suspension is for unpaid child support or traffic fines, paying what you owe can end your suspension when ready, making the hardship license unnecessary.
- You must carry your hardship license and proof of insurance at all times while driving, and police can stop you to verify you are driving within the allowed purposes.
Suspensions that may have access to for a hardship license in Louisiana
Louisiana suspends licenses for several reasons, but only some allow you to request a hardship license. The most common are unpaid traffic fines, unpaid child support, and DUI convictions.
If your suspension is for unpaid traffic fines, you can request a hardship license when ready. You do not have to wait or pay the fines first, though paying them will end your suspension right away. If your suspension is for unpaid child support, the same applies — you can request one without paying first, but payment ends the suspension.
If your suspension is for a DUI conviction, you must wait out a mandatory period before you can request a hardship license. For a first DUI, you typically must wait 45 days from the suspension date. For a second or subsequent DUI within ten years, the waiting period is longer. During this waiting period, you cannot drive at all, even with a hardship license.
Suspensions for medical reasons (such as a doctor reporting you as unsafe to drive), serious safety violations (like reckless driving), or revocations do not may have access to. If you are unsure why your license was suspended, call the OMV at 225-925-6146 or check your suspension notice.
Documents and proof you need to bring to the OMV
The OMV requires you to prove why you need to drive. What you bring depends on your reason. Bring your current ID (even if it is suspended), your Social Security card or birth certificate, and proof of residence (a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days).
If you are requesting a hardship license to drive to work, bring a letter from your employer on company letterhead. The letter should state your job title, your work schedule, and the address where you work. A recent pay stub also helps. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns or business registration documents.
If you need to drive to school, bring an enrollment letter or current class schedule from the school or university. If you need to drive for medical treatment, bring a letter from your doctor or a copy of an appointment confirmation showing the date, time, and location of your treatment. If you are driving to court (for a hearing related to your suspension or another case), bring a copy of the court notice or summons.
Bring the original documents, not copies. The OMV staff will review them and may ask follow-up questions about your schedule or the distance you drive.
How to request a hardship license at an OMV office
You must request a hardship license in person at an Office of Motor Vehicles location. There is no online or mail-in option. Find your nearest OMV office on the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development website, or call 225-925-6146 for the office closest to you.
Go during business hours with all your documents. Tell the staff member you want to request a hardship license and explain your reason for suspension. They will give you a form to fill out — usually Form DL-44 or a hardship-specific form — and ask you to describe the purposes you need to drive for. Be specific: list the address of your workplace or school, the days and times you work or attend, and any medical appointments you have scheduled.
The OMV will take your information and tell you whether your request is approved on the spot or if they need to review it further. If approved, you pay the fee (typically $20 to $50, depending on the type of hardship license) and receive your license when ready. If they need more time, they will give you a date to return or call for the decision.
The whole process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes if you have all your documents. If you are missing something, ask what you need and when you can return with it.
What you can and cannot do with a hardship license
Your hardship license lists the specific purposes you are allowed to drive for. You can only drive to those places and for those reasons. If your license says you can drive to work Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., you cannot use it to go to the grocery store on Saturday, even if you pass right by it on the way home from work.
Driving outside the allowed purposes is a new violation. Police can stop you and check whether you are within your allowed driving window and route. If you are not, you can be cited for driving with a suspended license, which carries fines and possible jail time. Your hardship license can also be revoked, and your suspension can be extended.
You must carry your hardship license and proof of insurance every time you drive. If you are stopped and cannot show both, you will be treated as driving with a suspended license. Keep copies of your hardship license at home and in your car in case one is lost.
If your circumstances change — you lose your job, your work schedule shifts, or your medical appointments end — contact the OMV to update your hardship license. Do not straightforward start driving for new purposes without permission.
How long a hardship license lasts and what happens when it expires
Your hardship license is valid for the length of your suspension, or until the reason for your suspension is resolved, whichever comes first. If your suspension was for 90 days, your hardship license lasts 90 days. If you pay your unpaid fines or child support before those 90 days are up, your suspension ends when ready and your hardship license becomes invalid.
The OMV will tell you the expiration date when you receive your hardship license. Mark it on your calendar. When it expires, you cannot drive at all unless your suspension has also ended. If your suspension is still active, you would need to request a new hardship license if you still meet the requirements.
Once your suspension ends, your regular license is restored automatically. You do not have to do anything or return your hardship license. However, if you have other holds on your record — such as unpaid court costs or a failure to appear in court — your license may remain suspended even after the original reason is resolved. Check with the OMV before you assume you can drive freely again.
Costs and fees for a Louisiana hardship license
The OMV charges a fee to issue a hardship license. The fee varies depending on the type of hardship and your situation, but it is typically between $20 and $50. You pay this fee at the time you request the license, whether or not your request is approved.
Some OMV offices accept cash, check, or card; call ahead to confirm what payment methods your local office takes. If your request is denied, you do not get a refund of the fee.
There is no additional cost to renew or update your hardship license if your circumstances change. If you need a replacement because yours was lost or damaged, you may be charged a small replacement fee.
What to do if your hardship license request is denied
The OMV can deny your hardship license request if you do not meet the requirements for your type of suspension, if your documentation is incomplete or unconvincing, or if your driving record shows a pattern of violations. If your request is denied, the OMV should tell you why and what you can do next.
Ask the staff member for a written explanation of the denial. If you believe the decision was wrong, you can request a hearing before an OMV hearing officer. The OMV will provide information on how to request a hearing and what important date you have to do so — usually 10 to 30 days from the denial date.
At a hearing, you can present additional documentation or explain your situation in more detail. Bring any new evidence that supports your case — a more detailed job letter, a doctor's note, or proof that you have resolved part of the reason for your suspension. The hearing officer will make a final decision, which you can appeal to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles if you disagree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a hardship license if I have multiple suspensions on my record?
If you have more than one active suspension, you must address all of them to restore your full license. However, you can request a hardship license for each suspension separately if each one qualifies. For example, if you have a suspension for unpaid fines and a separate suspension for unpaid child support, you can request a hardship license for both and drive for the purposes listed under each one.
What happens if I am stopped by police while driving on my hardship license?
Tell the officer you have a hardship license and show it along with your proof of insurance. The officer will check whether you are driving within the allowed purposes and times. If you are, you should be allowed to continue. If you are not, you can be cited for driving with a suspended license. Do not argue with the officer; if you believe the stop was unfair, you can contest the citation in court later.
Can I use my hardship license to drive to places other than work or school if I pass by them?
No. Your hardship license is restricted to the specific purposes listed on it. Stopping at a store, a friend's house, or anywhere else not on your license is a violation, even if it is on your route. Police can stop you and check your destination. Plan your trips to include only the allowed purposes.
What if my job or school location changes while I have a hardship license?
Contact the OMV and request an update to your hardship license with the new address and schedule. Bring a new letter from your employer or school showing the updated information. Do not drive to the new location until your hardship license is updated, or you will be driving outside your allowed purposes.
Does paying my unpaid fines or child support end my suspension when ready?
Yes. If your suspension is for unpaid fines or child support, paying what you owe ends your suspension right away. Your hardship license becomes invalid at that moment, and your regular license is restored. You do not have to wait for paperwork or a new license to arrive — you can drive freely once payment is processed. Confirm with the court or child support agency that your payment was received before you drive.