Louisiana Traffic Violations

Traffic violations are offenses committed by individuals while they are operating a motor vehicle. In Louisiana, they may range from non-criminal offenses to misdemeanors and felonies. Residents must learn how Louisiana handles traffic violation matters for legal, financial, and civic reasons. They must learn how to search and retrieve traffic records from the state.

What Is Considered a Traffic Violation in Louisiana?

According to Title 32 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, a traffic violation occurs when an individual or a driver violates any of the state’s traffic laws. Depending on the severity of the offense, a traffic violation may be classified as a misdemeanor or a felony. It also includes DWIs for drivers caught with 0.08% blood alcohol content (BAC) in adults, with separate provisions for under-21 drivers.

Traffic violations in the state may be classified into two major types: moving violations and non-moving violations. Moving violations happen when a vehicle is in motion.

Moving violations are generally covered by state laws and differ slightly from one parish to another. A non-moving violation is a traffic infraction that violates the law but does not necessarily involve driving a motor vehicle. These violations are usually related to parking violations or defective vehicle equipment.

Types of Traffic Violations in Louisiana

In Louisiana, there are many types of traffic violations, which are rules drivers may break while driving. These include:

• Speeding / general speed law. According to state law, all individuals must drive within the posted speed limits and standards.
• Running a red light/stop sign & other signal/control offenses. These occur when drivers do not heed traffic controls.
• Driving without a license. It is unlawful for an individual to drive without a valid license, and there are separate rules for carrying a digitized license.
• Driving without insurance/proof of security. Owners must ensure their vehicles are adequately insured with insurance companies, as noncompliance may trigger registration actions and reinstatement fees.
• Reckless operation (careless/reckless driving). Such a criminal offense is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a possible fine.
• Hit-and-run / leaving the scene. Drivers involved in hit-and-run accidents have duties to the victims.
• Distracted driving (wireless devices). Recently, the Louisiana legislature passed a bill, titled “Hands-free”, that prohibits handheld device use while driving a vehicle.
• DWI/OWI. This is a severe violation with a ten-year lookback for enhancements and related administrative license consequences under state law.

Traffic Violation Penalties in Louisiana

The government attaches several penalties to traffic violations in Louisiana, depending on the severity of the offense and the driver's history. These include:

• Fines & court costs. Louisiana does not use a traditional statewide points system. Instead, convictions are reported to the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) and appear on a driver’s driving record. Penalties include payment of fines and are set by statute and local fine schedules.
• License consequences.
  • First offense: Up to 6 months in jail, a fine of up to $500, and civil penalties up to $1,250. For
  • Second or subsequent offense within 5 years: Increased fines and a mandatory 1-year extension of the suspension period.
  • If suspended for DUI/OWI: A second offense requires a minimum 7-day jail sentence and a $300 fine.
  • A conviction for driving on a suspended license triggers an automatic 1-year extension of the suspension, regardless of the original reason.
• License consequences for DUI
  • First offense: 90-day suspension (with minimum 2 days in jail).
  • Second offense: 1-year suspension.
  • Third offense: 2-year suspension (treated as a felony).
  • Fourth or fifth offense: Felony with 10–30 years in prison; license suspension for life or extended periods.
  • Implied consent violations: Refusing a chemical test results in an immediate license suspension, even without a DUI conviction.
• Habitual Offender law. Any driver who accumulates 10 or more moving-violation convictions within three years may trigger “habitual offender” status and a multi-year revocation.
• DWI administrative actions. OMV imposes administrative suspensions following a DWI arrest (which may later proceed to a court hearing).
• Insurance noncompliance. Failure to maintain compulsory insurance may result in the revocation of registration and the payment of reinstatement fees.
• Repeat offenders. DWI uses a 10-year lookback, so repetition of traffic offenses may lead to harsher and additional penalties.
• Traffic school. Many Louisiana courts offer or recognize driver-improvement programs that may reduce or dispose of minor moving violations at the court’s discretion (e.g., East Baton Rouge programs).

How to Search for Traffic Violation Records in Louisiana.

Louisiana has two main record streams, court case/docket records and driver history, and no single statewide traffic-court portal. Therefore, individuals may use the following resources:

• Driver History (Official Driving Record).
  • Individuals may obtain copies of their Official Driving Record (ODR) directly from OMV’s ExpressLane portal. It costs a $16 fee with an additional $2 e-commerce charge, and the user may view/print the records within 30 days.
• Court cases/dockets and ticket status.
  • Individuals may search or pay through the court named on their traffic citation (either city court, parish court, or district court). Examples include Baton Rouge City Court, New Orleans, and Shreveport City Court online payment/search portals. Some courts use vendors like CitePayUSA.
  • The Louisiana legislature created the Louisiana Clerks’ Remote Access Authority (LCRAA), which maintains the eClerksLA statewide portal. It is helpful for multi-parish searching but does not replace the local clerk for full criminal/traffic files or images.

In Louisiana, court records may include case numbers, charges, dates, and dispositions. Official driver records from the OMV contain license status, recorded violations, accidents, and any administrative actions.

How Long Do Traffic Violations Stay on Record in Louisiana?

In Louisiana, how long a traffic violation stays on an individual’s record depends on:

• Routine moving-violation convictions: Results may be displayed for three years from the date of conviction.
• Accidents: The records are displayed for three years from the accident date.
• DUI/DWI violations: They may remain on a driver’s record for up to ten years.

Certain traffic violation records may be expunged from the public record under the Code of Criminal Procedure. However, these records remain accessible to law enforcement officers and administrative histories already used for licensing decisions.