Driving on a suspended license in Louisiana is a criminal offense with penalties that increase based on how many times you have done it

In Louisiana, operating a motor vehicle while your license is suspended is not a traffic violation — it is a crime. The state treats this offense seriously because a suspended license typically means you have failed to pay fines, child support, or court costs, or you have accumulated too many traffic violations. Driving anyway puts you at legal and financial risk.

The penalties depend on whether this is your first offense or a repeat violation. A first offense is a misdemeanor. A second or subsequent offense within ten years becomes a felony. Both carry jail time, fines, and a mandatory extension of your suspension period. You will also face additional court costs and the possibility of vehicle impoundment.

Louisiana law does not distinguish between driving with knowledge of the suspension and driving without knowing. If your license is suspended and you operate a vehicle, you are breaking the law. The burden is on you to know your license status.

Key Takeaways

  • A first offense of driving with a suspended license in Louisiana is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of $100 to $500.
  • A second or subsequent offense within ten years is a felony with penalties of up to two years in prison and a fine of $500 to $1,000.
  • Your suspension period will be extended by at least one additional year from the date of conviction, making it harder to restore your driving privileges.
  • Your vehicle can be impounded, and you will owe towing and storage fees in addition to court fines and costs.
  • You can check your license status through the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles website or by calling their customer service line before driving.

First Offense: Misdemeanor Penalties

If you are stopped or arrested for driving with a suspended license and this is your first such offense, you face misdemeanor charges under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 14:92. The penalties are: up to six months in jail, a fine between $100 and $500, or both. You will also be ordered to pay court costs, which typically range from $50 to $150 depending on the parish.

In addition to the criminal penalty, your suspension will be extended. Louisiana law requires that your suspension period be extended by at least one additional year from the date of your conviction. If your original suspension was set to end in six months, it will now end in at least eighteen months. This extension applies regardless of whether you receive jail time or only a fine.

A first offense does not automatically result in jail time. Many judges offer probation, community service, or a fine-only sentence, particularly if you have no prior criminal history and can show you have since restored your license or taken steps to do so. However, jail time is possible, and you should not assume you will avoid it.

Second and Subsequent Offenses: Felony Charges

If you are convicted of driving with a suspended license a second time within ten years of the first conviction, the charge becomes a felony under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 14:92.1. The penalties jump significantly: up to two years in prison, a fine between $500 and $1,000, or both, plus court costs.

A felony conviction carries consequences beyond the when ready sentence. A felony on your record affects employment, housing, and professional licensing. You may lose the right to vote while incarcerated. You will face difficulty obtaining certain jobs, particularly those requiring a professional license or security clearance. These collateral consequences often last longer than the sentence itself.

Your suspension will again be extended by at least one additional year from the date of conviction. If you were already serving a multi-year suspension, this adds another year to an already lengthy period without driving privileges. The cumulative effect of multiple suspensions can result in a ten-year or longer driving ban.

Vehicle Impoundment and Towing Costs

When you are stopped for driving with a suspended license, law enforcement has the authority to impound your vehicle. The vehicle does not have to be towed when ready — the officer may issue a citation and allow you to arrange for a licensed driver to pick it up on the spot. However, if you cannot produce a licensed driver or if the officer determines the vehicle is a public safety hazard, it will be towed.

Once impounded, you are responsible for all towing and storage fees. Towing fees in Louisiana typically range from $150 to $300, depending on the distance and the towing company. Storage fees are usually $25 to $50 per day. If your vehicle sits in impound for a week, you could owe $325 to $650 in towing and storage alone, on top of your criminal fines and court costs.

To retrieve your vehicle, you must pay all fees in full and provide proof that your license has been restored or that a licensed driver will take possession. Some impound facilities will not release a vehicle until the criminal case is resolved or you have paid a portion of the fines ordered by the court.

How to Check Your License Status Before Driving

The simplest way to avoid this offense is to verify your license status before you drive. The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) provides two methods to check your status at no cost.

Online, visit the OMV website at omv.louisiana.gov and use the License Status Check tool. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will display whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired. This check takes seconds and is available 24 hours a day.

By phone, call the OMV customer service line at 225-925-6146. Wait times vary, but you can typically reach someone during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time). Have your license number and date of birth ready. The representative will tell you your status and, if suspended, the reason and the date your suspension is scheduled to end.

If your license is suspended, do not drive. Arrange alternative transportation — a ride from a licensed driver, a taxi, public transit, or delivery services. The cost of a ride is far less than the cost of a criminal conviction, impoundment, and extended suspension.

Reasons Your License Might Be Suspended Without Your Knowledge

Many people discover their license is suspended only after being stopped by police. Common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court for a traffic citation, unpaid child support, unpaid court costs, or accumulation of too many points from traffic violations. Some suspensions are automatic — for example, if you fail to pay a fine within the important date set by the court, the court reports you to the OMV, which suspends your license without sending a separate notice.

Louisiana also suspends licenses for reasons unrelated to driving, such as failure to pay student loans or defaulting on a court-ordered debt. You may not receive a direct notice of suspension in these cases. Checking your status regularly — at least once a year, or before any long drive — protects you from accidentally breaking the law.

If you discover your license is suspended, contact the OMV or the court that issued the suspension order to find out what you must do to restore it. Restoration typically requires paying the underlying debt (fines, child support, court costs) and filing a reinstatement request with the OMV. The process usually takes one to two weeks after payment is received.

What to Do If You Are Stopped or Arrested

If you are pulled over and the officer informs you that your license is suspended, remain calm and polite. Do not argue or attempt to drive away. Provide your license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance as requested. The officer will likely issue a citation for driving with a suspended license and may impound your vehicle.

Ask the officer for a copy of the citation and the impound receipt if your vehicle is towed. These documents are important for your court case and for retrieving your vehicle. Do not sign anything beyond the citation itself without understanding what you are signing.

Contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Many offer free initial consultations. An attorney can review the circumstances of your stop, determine whether the officer had legal grounds to pull you over, and advise you on your options. In some cases, charges can be reduced or dismissed. Even if conviction is likely, an attorney can negotiate with the prosecutor for reduced penalties or recommend sentencing options that minimize jail time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a hardship license while my license is suspended?

Louisiana does not issue hardship or restricted licenses for most suspension reasons. However, if your suspension is due to unpaid child support or court costs, you may be able to work out a payment plan with the court or child support enforcement agency. Once you have made agreed-upon payments, the suspension may be lifted. Contact the court that issued the suspension to ask about payment plan options.

What if I did not know my license was suspended?

Lack of knowledge is not a legal defense in Louisiana. The law assumes you are responsible for knowing your license status. However, if you can show that you took reasonable steps to check your status and the OMV's records were inaccurate, an attorney may be able to challenge the charge. This is rare and requires documentation. It is always safer to check your status before driving.

Will a conviction for driving with a suspended license affect my car insurance?

Yes. A conviction is a criminal offense, not just a traffic violation, and insurers will see it. Your rates will increase significantly, and some insurers may cancel your policy. You may be forced to use high-risk insurance pools, which are much more expensive. The insurance impact can last three to five years or longer.

How long does a suspension typically last?

Suspension length depends on the reason. Suspensions for unpaid fines or child support last until the debt is paid. Suspensions for too many traffic points typically last six months to one year. If you are convicted of driving with a suspended license, your suspension is extended by at least one additional year from the conviction date. Multiple convictions can result in suspensions lasting five years or more.

Can I restore my license online?

It depends on the reason for suspension. If your suspension was due to unpaid fines or court costs, you must pay through the court system, not the OMV. Once payment is confirmed, you can file a reinstatement request online through the OMV website or by mail. If your suspension was due to points, you may be able to reinstate online after the suspension period ends. Contact the OMV to confirm the process for your specific situation.