Louisiana (LA) Teen Auto Insurance Laws, Rates & Requirements

If you are a Louisiana teen with an unrestricted driver’s license, you should give yourself a pat on the back. Because teen accidents represent the largest percentage of car crashes in Louisiana, obtaining a license in the Bayou State, as a teen, is not easy. And the state wants to keep it that way. The state of Louisiana has its own version of Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL), and every teen under the age of 17 must successfully complete all phases of it before receiving a driver’s license. If you want to learn more about more about Louisiana’s teen driving laws and the consequences for violating them, continue reading to get the facts. 

Louisiana Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) and Driver License Requirements

Under Louisiana’s Graduated Licensing (GDL) program, the first step to an unrestricted Louisiana driver’s license if the learner’s permit. To obtain a learner’s license, you must:

•    Be between the ages of 15 and 16.
•    Complete a state approved drivers education course
•    Pass a written test
•    Pass a vision test

In addition, you must provide the following documentation to the Louisiana Department of Motor Vehicles:

•    Two forms of identification, including one picture ID
•    Social Security card
•    Proof of school enrollment or graduation
•    Written consent of parent or guardian

You must hold the learner’s permit for at least 6 months before becoming eligible for the next phase – the intermediate license. To qualify for an intermediate license, you must:

•    Be at east 16 years old
•    Pass a road test
•    Obtain parental consent

The next phase is the learner’ license. You must be 17 years old to apply for a learner’s license. In addition, all requirements and conditions of the previous two phases must be met. A full, unrestricted license is the final step in the process. To obtain your unrestricted license you must:

•    Pass a written test
•    Pass a vision test
•    Pass a road test
•    Obtain parental consent if you have not yet reached the age of 18

Louisiana Teen Driving Laws and Enforcement

In the state of Louisiana, learner’s permit holders must be accompanied by an adult, age 21 or older at all times. A licensed sibling who is 18 years of age may also accompany you. The older, licensed driver must sit in the front passenger seat at all times. Intermediate license holders, 17 and older, may drive alone or with passengers. If you are under 17, you will have to drive with a licensed sibling (18 or older) or a licensed driver age 21 or older between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Under the laws of the full, unrestricted license, nighttime riving restrictions will be lifted.

If you violate any conditions of Louisiana’s Graduated Driver Licensing system, you risk losing your driving privileges ore extending your restricted license period.
 
Louisiana Cell Phone Use/Texting While Driving Laws

In the state of Louisiana, all drivers are prohibited from texting while driving.
It is against the law for anyone age 17 or under to use any type of mobile communication device while driving. In addition, first time license holders cannot use a mobile communication device while driving for the first year. If you violate any of Louisiana’s cell phone or texting laws, you will have to pay a fine up to $100 for a first offense. The infraction will cost you up to $250 for a second offense. Fines are doubled if you cause are involved in a traffic accident. First time license holders could also end up doing community service. 

Louisiana Teen DUI Laws

In the state of Louisiana, it is a crime for a teen to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration level (BAC) of 0.02% or higher. A BAC of 0.02% is as little as one beer, one glass of wine or one mixed drink for most people. It can be even less for some. Proof of a BAC of 0.02% is all that is needed to convict an Louisiana teen of DUI. If you get caught driving with a BAC of 0.02% or higher, your license could be suspended for up to 6 months. You also face fines up to $1,000, plus the cost of legal proceedings, and the conviction could go on your record as a criminal offense.

Louisiana Teen Auto Insurance Requirements

In the state of Louisiana, auto insurance is the law. Teens are no exception. In order to drive on any Louisiana road, you must carry minimum liability insurance of $15,000 per person in an accident, $30,000 per accident for bodily injury or death, and $25,000 for property damage (15/30/25).

Because the risk of an auto collision is significantly higher during the first year teens are able to drive, Louisiana auto insurance companies recommend purchasing higher amounts of coverage than the legal limits. If you plan to add a teen driver to your policy, keep in mind that your annual rate will increase anywhere from $1,200 to $4,900 a year - or an average of $2,171 a year.

An increase in your auto insurance premium is inevitable once you add a teen to the policy, but this doesn’t mean you can’t cash in on special discounts designed just for teens. Auto insurance companies offer discounts ranging from 10-15% or more for:

•    Maintaining at least a B average
•    Successful completion of a state approved safe driver course

You can also lower your premiums on teen auto insurance if you avoid purchasing sports and luxury cars for your teen, if you opt for a higher deductible, or if you combine insurance policies into one (i.e. life, home, health, renter’s, etc.).