What Causes a License Suspension in Louisiana

Louisiana suspends driver licenses for specific violations and failures, not as a penalty you can appeal away. The state's Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) suspends licenses when you accumulate too many points, fail to pay traffic fines or child support, refuse a breathalyzer test, or rack up unpaid traffic citations. Each reason has its own reinstatement process, and you cannot drive legally until that process is complete — not even with a hardship permit in most cases.

The most common suspension trigger is the point system. Louisiana assigns points to moving violations: a speeding ticket is 2 points, reckless driving is 4 points, and a DUI is 12 points. When you hit 12 points in a 12-month period, your license is suspended for 3 months. A second suspension within 5 years lasts 6 months. A third suspension within 5 years lasts 12 months. These suspensions are automatic — you do not receive a hearing before the suspension takes effect.

Administrative suspensions (separate from point-based ones) happen when you fail to pay fines, child support, or court costs. Louisiana also suspends licenses for refusing a breathalyzer test, even if you are not convicted of DUI. That refusal suspension lasts 1 year for a first offense and 3 years for a second offense within 10 years.

Key Takeaways

  • Louisiana suspends licenses automatically when you reach 12 points in 12 months, and the suspension length depends on how many times you have been suspended in the past 5 years.
  • You must pay all outstanding fines, child support, and court costs to the court or agency that issued them before the OMV will lift a suspension for non-payment.
  • A breathalyzer refusal suspension lasts 1 year for a first offense and 3 years for a second offense, and you cannot reduce this time by paying a fee.
  • You can request a hearing to contest a suspension only if you have grounds to dispute the facts — for example, if the ticket that triggered the suspension was dismissed or if points were incorrectly recorded.
  • Louisiana does not issue hardship permits during a suspension, so you cannot drive for work, school, or medical appointments once your license is suspended.

How to Check if Your License Is Suspended

You can check your license status through the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles website or by calling their customer service line. Go to omv.louisiana.gov and use the "License Status" tool — you will need your driver license number and date of birth. The tool shows whether your license is active, suspended, or revoked, and it lists the reason for any suspension.

If you cannot access the online tool, call the OMV at 225-925-6146. Have your driver license number and Social Security number ready. The representative will tell you the suspension reason, the date it began, and the date it will be lifted (if applicable). Write down this information — you will need it to understand what steps come next.

If the tool or phone line shows your license is suspended but you have no memory of receiving a notice, check your mail carefully. Louisiana sends suspension notices to the address on file with your license. If you moved and did not update your address with the OMV, you may not have received the notice. You can still be driving on a suspended license without knowing it, which carries criminal penalties.

Point-Based Suspensions and How to Resolve Them

A point-based suspension is automatic and non-negotiable — you cannot pay a fee to shorten it or remove it early. The suspension lifts on its own after the required time passes: 3 months for a first suspension, 6 months for a second within 5 years, or 12 months for a third within 5 years. On the date the suspension ends, your license is reinstated automatically. You do not need to file paperwork or pay a reinstatement fee.

However, you can contest a point-based suspension if you have grounds to dispute it. The only valid grounds are factual errors: the ticket that triggered the suspension was dismissed in court, the points were incorrectly recorded in the OMV system, or the violation did not occur. To request a hearing, you must file a written request with the OMV within 30 days of the suspension notice. Include your driver license number, the reason you believe the suspension is wrong, and any court documents that support your claim (such as a dismissal order).

Mail your hearing request to: Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, Attn: Hearings Section, P.O. Box 64886, Baton Rouge, LA 70896. The OMV will schedule a hearing within 30 to 60 days. You can attend in person or by phone. Bring copies of any court documents, ticket dismissals, or OMV records that prove your case. If you win, the suspension is lifted when ready.

Suspensions for Unpaid Fines, Child Support, or Court Costs

Louisiana suspends licenses for failure to pay traffic fines, child support, or court costs. Unlike point-based suspensions, these suspensions do not lift automatically after a set time — they remain in place until you pay what you owe. The OMV does not collect the money; the court or child support agency does. You must contact the entity that issued the fine or order and make payment arrangements.

To find out which court or agency holds your debt, call the OMV at 225-925-6146 and ask for the specific reason code for your suspension. They will tell you whether it is a traffic fine, child support arrearage, or court cost, and they may provide contact information for the collecting agency. If they cannot, search the Louisiana Judicial Case Search website (lacourts.org) using your name to find the court that issued the fine.

Once you locate the correct court or agency, contact them to arrange payment. Many courts accept payment by phone, online, or by mail. Ask for a payment plan if you cannot pay the full amount at once — many courts will work with you. After you pay, request a receipt or confirmation number. The court or agency will notify the OMV that the debt is satisfied, and your suspension will be lifted within 1 to 5 business days.

Do not assume your suspension is lifted just because you paid. Check your license status online or by phone after 5 business days to confirm. If the suspension is still showing, contact the court again with your receipt and ask them to verify the payment was reported to the OMV.

Breathalyzer Refusal Suspensions

If you refused a breathalyzer test during a traffic stop, Louisiana imposed an administrative suspension separate from any criminal case. A first refusal suspension lasts 1 year. A second refusal within 10 years lasts 3 years. This suspension is not negotiable — you cannot pay a fee to reduce it, and you cannot contest it unless you can prove the officer did not have legal grounds to request the test.

You have the right to request an administrative hearing within 30 days of the suspension notice. The hearing is your chance to argue that the officer lacked probable cause to stop you or that the refusal was not voluntary. To request a hearing, file a written request with the OMV within 30 days. Mail it to: Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, Attn: Hearings Section, P.O. Box 64886, Baton Rouge, LA 70896. Include your driver license number and a brief explanation of why you believe the suspension should be overturned.

The hearing will be held before an OMV hearing officer, not a judge. You can bring a lawyer, but it is not required. The officer will review the police report and listen to your side of the story. If you win, the suspension is lifted. If you lose, the suspension stands and you must serve the full term. There is no appeal after the OMV hearing.

Requesting a Hearing to Contest Your Suspension

You can request a hearing only if you have grounds to dispute the facts behind your suspension — not if you straightforward disagree with the law or want the suspension shortened. Valid grounds include: the ticket or violation was dismissed in court, the points were incorrectly recorded, the officer lacked probable cause for a breathalyzer refusal, or you did not receive proper notice of the suspension.

To request a hearing, send a written request to the OMV Hearings Section within 30 days of your suspension notice. Include your driver license number, the date of the suspension notice, the reason for the suspension, and a clear explanation of why you believe it is wrong. Attach copies of any supporting documents: court dismissal orders, OMV records showing incorrect points, or proof that you did not receive notice. Mail to: Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, Attn: Hearings Section, P.O. Box 64886, Baton Rouge, LA 70896.

The OMV will send you a hearing date by mail, usually 30 to 60 days after your request. You can attend in person at the OMV office in Baton Rouge or request a phone hearing. Bring all your documents and be prepared to explain your case clearly. The hearing officer will make a decision within 10 business days and mail you the result. If you win, your suspension is lifted when ready. If you lose, you can request reconsideration, but the grounds for reconsideration are very narrow.

What Happens if You Drive on a Suspended License

Driving on a suspended license in Louisiana is a criminal offense, not just a traffic violation. A first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a fine of $100 to $500. A second offense within 5 years carries up to 1 year in jail and a fine of $200 to $1,000. A third offense within 5 years is a felony with up to 2 years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000.

Police can stop you for any reason and check your license status. If your license is suspended and you are pulled over, you will be arrested. Your vehicle may be impounded, and you will face criminal charges in addition to the original suspension. Even if you were not aware your license was suspended, ignorance is not a legal defense.

If you have been arrested for driving on a suspended license, contact a criminal defense attorney when ready. Do not plead guilty without legal information. An attorney may be able to negotiate a reduced charge or argue that you did not know about the suspension if you can prove you did not receive notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a hardship permit to drive while my license is suspended?

No. Louisiana does not issue hardship permits or restricted licenses during a suspension. You cannot drive for work, school, medical appointments, or any other reason once your license is suspended. Your only option is to wait for the suspension to end or to contest it through a hearing.

How long does it take for my suspension to be lifted after I pay what I owe?

The court or agency must report the payment to the OMV, which typically takes 1 to 5 business days. Check your license status online or by phone after 5 business days. If the suspension is still showing, contact the court with your receipt and ask them to verify the payment was reported.

Can I appeal a hearing decision if I lose?

You can request reconsideration with new evidence, but a full appeal is not available through the OMV. If you believe the hearing was unfair or the officer made a legal error, you may have grounds to file an appeal in district court, but you will need a lawyer to do this. Consult an attorney before deciding whether to pursue an appeal.

What if I moved and did not get the suspension notice?

You are still legally suspended even if you did not receive notice. Update your address with the OMV when ready by visiting omv.louisiana.gov or going to a local OMV office. If you can prove you did not receive the notice and that the OMV had an incorrect address on file, you may have grounds to request a hearing to contest the suspension on procedural grounds.

Do points ever fall off my record so I can avoid another suspension?

Points remain on your record for 3 years from the date of the violation. After 3 years, they are removed and no longer count toward the 12-point threshold. However, if you accumulate 12 points before any points fall off, you will be suspended when ready. Once you are suspended, the suspension period does not reset your point count — points continue to age and fall off on their original schedule.