Louisiana (LA)

How many practice hours do you need in Louisiana?

In Louisiana, a learner driver must log 50 hours of supervised driving practice—including 15 at night—before applying for a license.

50
Total practice hours
15
Night hours
15
Permit age
16
License age

Louisiana learner permit requirements

  • Minimum permit age: 15
  • Supervised practice required: 50 hours total, 15 at night
  • Permit hold period: 180 days
  • License eligibility age: 16
  • How hours are certified: 50-hour affidavit of supervised driving signed by a parent or guardian.

Louisiana requires 50 hours of supervised driving with at least 15 at night — one of the highest night-hour requirements in the country. An approved driver-education course is also required for applicants under 18.

Requirements change and have exceptions. Always confirm the current rules with the Louisiana OMV before applying.

Louisiana's graduated licensing stages

1
Learner's permit · age 15

Drive with a licensed adult 21+; complete driver ed and log 50 hours (15 at night).

2
Intermediate license · age 16

Issued after 180 days with the permit; night and passenger limits apply.

3
Full license · age 17

Intermediate restrictions are removed.

Driving restrictions for new Louisiana drivers

Night driving

Intermediate license holders can't drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed adult 21+.

Passengers

Between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m., intermediate drivers may carry only one passenger under 21 unless a licensed adult 21+ is present or the passengers are family.

Phone use

Drivers under 18 may not use a cell phone at all while driving, handheld or hands-free.

Log every Louisiana practice hour automatically

DriveMint tracks each supervised drive with GPS, separates day and night hours, and generates a DMV-ready report—so you can prove all 50 hours without a paper logbook.

Louisiana driving practice FAQs

How many driving hours do you need in Louisiana?+

Louisiana requires 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including 15 hours at night, before a teen can apply for a license.

How many night hours does Louisiana require?+

15 of the 50 required hours must be at night — more than most states, which typically require 10.

Is driver education required in Louisiana?+

Yes — applicants under 18 must complete an approved 38-hour driver-education course including behind-the-wheel instruction.

Requirements in other states

Compare practice hours in all 50 states side by side, or read what actually counts as a night driving hour.