La. Rev. Stat. § 32:693 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 693
Jurisdiction; powers
Status: in_force

The council may exercise powers necessary, pertinent, convenient, or incidental to carrying out its purposes, including but not limited to the following rights and powers:

(1) To develop programs and projects that carry out the purpose of the council, including but not limited to enhancing safety and training, providing for research and development, and educating the public.

(2) To provide for the payment of all council costs with funds collected pursuant to this Part.

(3) To coordinate council activities with the industry associations and others, as appropriate, to provide efficient delivery of services and avoid unnecessary duplication of efforts and activities.

(4) To contract with any public or private person, partnership, association, or corporation to carry out the purpose of the council.

(5) To apply for, receive, and accept grants, loans, advances, and contributions from any source of money, property, labor, or other things of value, to be held, used, and applied for the council's purposes.

(6) To enter into cooperative endeavor agreements with the LMTA Foundation, Inc., or its successor entity, a nonprofit corporation, for the use of staff and resources to carry out the powers and duties of the council.

Acts 2019, No. 314, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:103 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 103
Moving parked vehicles
Status: in_force

No person shall move a vehicle which is stopped, standing, or parked unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety.

Acts 1962, No. 310, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:286 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 286
Following authorized emergency vehicles prohibited
Status: in_force

The driver of any vehicle other than one on official business shall not follow any authorized emergency vehicle traveling in response to an official call of duty closer than five hundred feet or drive into or park such vehicle within the block where such vehicle has stopped in answer to an official call.

Acts 1962, No. 310, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:1728.4 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 1728.4
Procedure for disposal of vehicles with no record of ownership; out-of-country vehicles
Status: in_force

A. After complying with the provisions of R.S. 32:1719(A), if the department or its authorized agent cannot obtain owner information on a stored vehicle, the department or its authorized agent shall furnish the storage or parking facility owner a copy of the original request for a stored vehicle card which was filed for the stored vehicle with a letter indicating that no ownership information could be found.

B. Within ten business days of the date the department or its authorized agent sends the information required in Subsection A of this Section to the storage or parking facility owner, the storage or parking facility owner shall publish an advertisement in the official journal of the locality where the stored vehicle is located on two separate occasions. The advertisement shall contain the following information:

(1) The make and identification number of the stored vehicle.

(2) The name and physical address of the storage or parking facility where the stored vehicle is located.

(3) Notice that if all current outstanding charges against the stored vehicle are not paid and the stored vehicle is not claimed by the owner within fifteen calendar days from the last date of publication of the advertisement, the storage or parking facility owner may apply for a permit to sell or permit to dismantle the stored motor vehicle.

C. Prior to issuance of the permit to sell or permit to dismantle the stored vehicle, the storage or parking facility owner shall provide the department with the following information:

(1) A copy of the original request for stored vehicle information sent to the department or its authorized agent and a copy of the letter returned from the department or its authorized agent indicating no ownership information could be found on the stored vehicle.

(2) Original proof of publication from the newspaper with a copy of the advertisement which contains all of the information required in Subsection B of this Section.

(3) One appraisal on the stored vehicle which contains the make, model, vehicle identification number, and the printed name, address, and full signature of the appraiser. A photograph of the vehicle shall be affixed to the appraisal.

(4) A completed and notarized hold harmless affidavit stating no ownership information could be found.

(5) An affidavit of physical inspection completed by a Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certified law enforcement officer, who has been trained and certified by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of state police, to inspect motor vehicles.

Acts 2001, No. 1097, §1; Acts 2014, No. 19, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:173.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 173.1
Railroad grade crossings; stopping required
Status: in_force

A. All buses transporting passengers and all commercial motor vehicles who are required to abide by 49 CFR Part 392.10, as amended, relative to methods by which a commercial motor vehicle carrying certain materials and buses transporting passengers, shall stop at railroad grade crossings within fifty feet of, and not closer than fifteen feet to, the tracks; thereafter, the driver shall listen and look in each direction along the tracks for an approaching train and ascertain that no train is approaching. When it is safe to do so, the driver may drive the commercial motor vehicle or bus across the tracks in a gear that permits the commercial motor vehicle to complete the crossing without a change of gears.

B. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the driver of any motor vehicle carrying passengers for hire, or of any school bus whether carrying any school child or not, before crossing at grade any track or tracks of a railroad, shall stop such vehicle within fifty feet, but not less than fifteen feet, from the nearest rail of such railroad and while so stopped shall listen and look in both directions along such track for any approaching train, and for signals indicating the approach of a train, except as hereinafter provided, and shall not proceed until he can do so safely. After stopping as required herein and upon proceeding, when it is safe to do so, the driver of any said vehicle shall cross only in such gear of the vehicle that there will be no necessity for changing gears while traversing such crossing, and the driver shall not shift gears while crossing the track or tracks.

C. The driver of any school bus, in addition to the requirements of Subsection B of this Section, after coming to a complete stop, shall open the door of the school bus and shall leave it open while ascertaining that no train or other vehicle is approaching on the railroad track from either side and until immediately prior to proceeding over the railroad crossing.

Acts 2008, No. 614, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:670 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 670
Test results for persons under the age of twenty-one; exclusion from official driving record
Status: in_force

The submission to a chemical test by any person under the age of twenty-one which indicates a blood alcohol level of at least 0.02 but less than 0.08 percent shall not be included on his official driving record. However, this provision shall not prohibit the use of those results for administrative purposes or for obtaining a conviction, or the use of a conviction obtained based on those results for any purpose allowed by law.

Acts 1999, No. 927, §1; Acts 2001, No. 781, §4, eff. Sept. 30, 2003.

NOTE: Section 6 of Acts 2001, No. 781, provides that the provisions of the Act shall become null and of no effect if and when Section 351 of P.L. 106-346 regarding the withholding of federal highway funds for failure to enact a 0.08 percent blood alcohol level is repealed or invalidated for any reason.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:429.4 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 429.4
Installment agreement; outstanding penalties, fines, and fees owed to the office of motor vehicles
Status: in_force

A. Installment agreements and eligibility. (1)(a) All outstanding penalties, fines, and fees owed to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles, hereinafter referred to as the "office of motor vehicles", shall be paid no later than the date allowed by law. However, the office of motor vehicles shall enter into installment agreements, as authorized by this Section, with eligible persons for payment of their outstanding fines, penalties, and fees owed to the office of motor vehicles. All notices of any outstanding fines, penalties, and fees owed to the office of motor vehicles shall inform the debtor that he may qualify to pay sums due by installment agreement, if eligible, and shall include instructions on how to inquire with the office of motor vehicles to determine eligibility and terms.

(b) An installment agreement shall not be used to pay sales or use taxes or related penalties and interest, vehicle registration license taxes, or titling fees when submitting a transaction to title or register a motor vehicle. However, if the office of motor vehicles has previously sent a notice to the debtor that the payment made on a motor vehicle title or registration transaction was dishonored by a bank processing the transaction, the office of motor vehicles may accept an installment agreement to collect that dishonored payment in addition to any outstanding fees, penalties, or interest that may be added to the total due to the dishonored payment.

(2) A debtor who owes the office of motor vehicles two hundred fifty dollars or more in outstanding fines, penalties, or fees, or any combination thereof, is eligible to pay such amounts by means of an installment agreement with the office of motor vehicles, should all of the following conditions be met:

(a) All conditions of reinstatement other than payment of outstanding fines, penalties, and fees owed to the office of motor vehicles have been satisfied.

(b) A request for an installment agreement is made as required by and within the time provided for in the notice from the office of motor vehicles informing the debtor of any outstanding fines, penalties, and fees owed to the office of motor vehicles.

(3) Upon termination of an installment agreement executed pursuant to this Section, all outstanding amounts due under the installment agreement shall be final debt as defined by R.S. 32:8 or R.S. 47:1676. Any installment agreement entered into pursuant to this Section shall constitute a waiver by the debtor of any right to administrative or judicial review regarding sums due under an installment agreement. Any notices provided to a debtor who enters into an installment agreement pursuant to this Section shall constitute satisfaction of the notice requirements of R.S. 32:8 and R.S. 47:1676.

(4) Any installment agreement entered into by the office of motor vehicles and a debtor shall be in writing and signed by both parties. The office of motor vehicles shall develop an official form to be utilized for installment agreements authorized by this Section. Installment agreements not on this form shall be invalid.

(5) A debtor shall provide a valid electronic mail address to the office of motor vehicles to receive all notices and updates. It shall be the debtor's obligation to maintain a valid electronic mail address during the entire term of any installment agreement confected pursuant to this Section. The debtor shall promptly update the installment agreement system with any new or changed electronic mail address.

B.(1) Installment agreement payment schedule. Any installment agreement shall require a debtor to provide fixed and equal monthly payments in the following amounts, with the first payment due upon the execution of the agreement.

(2) The commissioner of the office of motor vehicles may take into account factors such as the debtor's income, financial obligations, as well as any other factors that affect the debtor's ability to pay the outstanding debt when the commissioner is determining the number of payments and the amount of each payment in the debtor's installment agreement.

C. Payments. (1) All installment agreement payments shall be made through an electronic automated transaction initiated by the office of motor vehicles or a third party on behalf of the office of motor vehicles. Such installment agreement payments may be made by bank draft, electronic funds transfer, or credit or debit card, including but not limited to reloadable prepaid credit or debit cards. All debtors shall provide necessary information for installment payments to be paid by bank draft, electronic funds transfer, or credit or debit cards.

(2) The debtor shall be issued a statement or receipt indicating the amount paid and the amount outstanding under the installment agreement each time an installment agreement payment is made.

(3) Prepayment of sums due on an installment agreement may be made without the imposition of a penalty.

D. Suspension of installment agreement. The commissioner of the office of motor vehicles may suspend an installment agreement executed pursuant to this Section for up to sixty days following a request by the debtor based upon good cause. Good cause shall be determined by the commissioner. During the term of the suspension of the installment agreement, no payments shall be accepted on the installment agreement. Payments shall resume upon the day following the last day of the suspension period. Any suspension of an installment agreement pursuant to this Subsection shall extend the term of the installment agreement by the length of any suspension. A debtor's driving privileges shall remain active during the suspension period unless otherwise blocked, revoked, or suspended.

E. The failure to make a scheduled payment in accordance with the terms of the installment agreement shall result in the assessment of a late fee in the amount of twenty-five dollars, which shall be added to the total amount due. Upon the failure to receive a payment, the office of motor vehicles shall send an electronic mail notification to the debtor to update the debtor's payment information and pay the missed payment. If, after receiving the electronic mail notice, the debtor updates the payment information, pays the late fee, and submits the missed payment, the installment agreement shall remain in place and no further action will be taken. In such case, the missed payment and late fee shall be received by the office of motor vehicles prior to the next scheduled payment date.

F. Termination of installment agreement upon failure to make payment.

(1) If any installment payment is not paid on or before the date fixed for its payment, and the debtor fails to make up the missed payment as provided in Subsection E of this Section, the entire amount unpaid pursuant to the installment agreement shall be paid by the debtor within a sixty-day period from the date of notice and demand from the commissioner of the office of motor vehicles. The notice shall further advise the debtor that his driver's license shall be suspended upon the expiration of the sixty-day period if the payments due pursuant to the installment agreement are not made current within that sixty-day period or the agreement is not reinstated by the commissioner of the office of motor vehicles within that sixty-day period. This notice shall be known as "Notice of Installment Agreement Termination and Demand".

(2) The Notice of Installment Agreement Termination and Demand shall satisfy all notice requirements of contained in R.S. 32:8 and R.S. 47:1676. In the event that an installment agreement includes payment of delinquent or final debt as defined by R.S. 32:8, such notice shall include all information required by R.S. 32:8. In the event that an installment agreement includes payment of delinquent or final debt as defined by R.S. 47:1676, such notice shall include all information required by R.S. 47:1676. The notice required by this Paragraph shall satisfy the notice requirements of R.S. 32:8 and R.S. 47:1676.

(3) Upon request of the debtor within the sixty-day period from the date of the notice and demand required in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection and approval of the commissioner of the office of motor vehicles, the office of motor vehicles may reinstate the installment agreement after payment of all missed installments and associated late fees.

(4) If a request for reinstatement of an installment agreement is not made within sixty days of the notice and demand required by Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, or if the commissioner of the office of motor vehicles rejects a request to reinstate an installment agreement, the installment agreement shall be terminated, and any remaining sums due under the installment agreement shall be delinquent and final debt as defined by R.S. 32:8 or R.S. 47:1676 for which the following shall apply:

(a) For sums due which are not considered debt as defined by R.S. 32:8, the office of motor vehicles may refer any unpaid balance due under the installment agreement for collection by the appropriate office pursuant to R.S. 47:1676 and this Section.

(b) For sums due which are debt as defined by R.S. 32:8, the office of motor vehicles may refer any unpaid balance due under the installment agreement to the Department of Revenue, office of debt recovery, for collection as provided in R.S. 32:8 and R.S. 47:1676.

G. Driving privileges and vehicle registration. A debtor's Class "E" driving privileges and motor vehicle or truck registration privileges shall be reinstated when an installment agreement is executed by the debtor and the office of motor vehicles. All blocks on the debtor's license record shall be removed at that time. The office of motor vehicles may include the applicable fee for reinstatement of driving privileges in the total to be owed pursuant to an installment agreement entered into pursuant to this Section.

H. Administration of installment agreements. (1) The Department of Public Safety and Corrections, public safety services, may authorize a third party, including but not limited to the Department of Revenue, office of debt recovery, to administer installment agreements executed pursuant to this Section. Such authorized third party may collect payments due pursuant to installment agreements executed pursuant to this Section. Any such authorized third party shall be an authorized agent of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, public safety services, and may collect the following fees for each transaction completed pursuant to this Section:

(a) A fee not to exceed three dollars for each payment made pursuant to an installment agreement.

(b) Fees authorized by R.S. 40:1322.

(c) Fees authorized pursuant to R.S. 49:316.1.

(2) The provisions of R.S. 47:1576.2 shall not apply to services provided by the Department of Revenue, office of debt recovery, pursuant to this Subsection.

(3) For purposes of this Section, the office of motor vehicles and the office of debt recovery shall not be considered a collection agency as defined in R.S. 9:3534.1.

I. Rules. The office of motor vehicles and the Department of Revenue, office of debt recovery, may adopt rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act to implement the provisions of this Section.

Acts 2016, No. 397, §1, eff. June 8, 2016; Acts 2024, No. 629, §1, eff. June 11, 2024.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:716 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 716
Dismantling registered vehicle
Status: in_force

Any owner dismantling or wrecking any registered vehicle shall immediately forward to the commissioner the certificate of title or permit to sell, registration card, and the registration plate or plates last issued for such vehicle, whether such plates and documents were issued by the vehicle commissioner of this state or of any other state.

Acts 1950, No. 342, §19; Acts 1987, No. 406, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:866 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 866
Compulsory motor vehicle liability security; failure to comply; limitation of damages
Status: in_force

A.(1) There shall be no recovery for the first one hundred thousand dollars of bodily injury and no recovery for the first one hundred thousand dollars of property damage based on any cause or right of action arising out of a motor vehicle accident, for such injury or damages occasioned by an owner or operator of a motor vehicle involved in such accident who fails to own or maintain compulsory motor vehicle liability security.

(2) For purposes of this Section, the meaning of "bodily injury" and "property damage" is governed by the applicable motor vehicle liability insurance policy or, in the event of security other than an insurance policy, the meaning of such terms is that which is commonly ascribed thereto.

(3)(a) The limitation of recovery provisions of this Subsection do not apply if the driver of the other vehicle:

(i) Is cited for a violation of R.S. 14:98 as a result of the accident and is subsequently convicted of or pleads nolo contendere to such offense.

(ii) Intentionally causes the accident.

(iii) Flees from the scene of the accident.

(iv) At the time of the accident, is in furtherance of the commission of a felony offense under the law.

(b) The limitation of recovery provisions of this Subsection do not apply if at the time of the accident, the other vehicle is not being operated and the vehicle is not in violation of the provisions of Chapter 1 of this Title.

B. Each person who is involved in an accident in which the other motor vehicle was not covered by compulsory motor vehicle liability security and who is found to be liable for damages to the owner or operator of the other motor vehicle may assert as an affirmative defense the limitation of recovery provisions of Subsection A of this Section.

C. If the owner of a motor vehicle, who fails to own or maintain compulsory motor vehicle liability security, institutes an action to recover damages in any amount, regardless of whether such owner or operator is at fault, and is awarded an amount equal to or less than one hundred thousand dollars of bodily injury, then such owner or operator shall be assessed and held liable for all court costs incurred by all parties to the action.

D. Each person who applies for a driver's license, registers a motor vehicle, or operates or owns a motor vehicle in this state is deemed to have given his consent to be subject to and governed by the provisions of this Section. All persons who apply for the issuance or renewal of a driver's license, motor vehicle title, or motor vehicle registration shall sign a declaration on a form developed by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections pursuant to rule and regulation that the person acknowledges and gives consent to the requirements and provisions of this Section and that the person will comply with all provisions of this Section and the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Law. Proof of whether the person obtained or signed such declaration is irrelevant to the application of this Section.

E. Nothing in this Section shall preclude a passenger in a vehicle from asserting a claim to recover damages for injury, death, or loss which he occasioned, in whole or in part, by the negligence of another person arising out of the operation or use of a motor vehicle. This Subsection shall not apply to a passenger who is also the owner of the uninsured motor vehicle involved in the accident.

F.(1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no insurer shall lose any rights of subrogation for claims paid under the applicable insurance policy for the recovery of any sum in excess of the first one hundred thousand dollars of bodily injury and the first one hundred thousand dollars of property damages.

(2) In claims where no suit is filed, the claimant's insurer shall have all rights to recover any amount paid by the claimant's insurer on behalf of the insured for the recovery of any sum in excess of the first one hundred thousand dollars of bodily injury and the first one hundred thousand dollars of property damages.

G.(1) Except for newly acquired vehicles added to a policy subject to the policy terms, the issuance, change, or adjustment of any motor vehicle liability security or insurance policy subsequent to a motor vehicle accident, without proof of coverage having been bound prior to such motor vehicle accident, shall not effectuate any of the following:

(a) The recovery for injury or damages that are otherwise prohibited under this Section.

(b) The defeat of any affirmative defense otherwise allowed under this Section.

(c) The avoidance of liability for court costs otherwise required under this Section.

(2) Reinstatement provisions of a policy during the premium payment grace period specified in the policy shall not be invalidated by the provisions of this Section.

H. The provisions of this Part shall not apply to any vehicle which is legally parked at the time of the accident.

Acts 1997, No. 1476, §4, eff. Sept. 6, 1998; Acts 1999, No. 1085, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2003, No. 532, §1; Acts 2008, No. 921, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2010; Acts 2014, No. 149, §1; Acts 2025, No. 16, §1.

NOTE: See Acts 1997, No. 1476, §5(D)(2). The rate reduction day was the date on which the judgment in the lawsuit became final, May 8, 1998. Sections 2 through 4 became effective 120 days thereafter, Sept. 6, 1998.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:665 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 665
Furnishing of information to person tested
Status: in_force

Upon the request of the person who submits to a chemical test or tests at the request of a law enforcement officer, results concerning the test or tests shall be made available to him or his attorney.

Added by Acts 1968, No. 273, §14. Acts 1984, No. 409, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:191.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 191.1
Operating motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic
Status: in_force

A. All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane. This Subsection shall not apply to motorcycles operated two abreast in a single lane.

B. The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken.

C. No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.

D. Motorcycles shall not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane.

E. Subsections (B) and (C) shall not apply to police officers in the performance of their official duties.

F. Penalties imposed by this Chapter shall be applicable to any driver or operator of a vehicle, as defined in R.S. 32:1, who is found guilty of or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to a violation of the provisions of this Chapter, including this Section, or any regulation of the department, secretary, and commissioner made pursuant thereto.

Added by Acts 1970, No. 538, §5; Acts 1999, No. 631, §1; Acts 2022, No. 739, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:858 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 858
Short title
Status: in_force

This Chapter may be cited as the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Law.

Acts 1952, No. 52, §41.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:298 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 298
Farm equipment on highway shoulders
Status: in_force

A. Except as otherwise prohibited by law, to allow for unrestricted flow of traffic, farm tractors and other types of farm equipment may operate on the shoulders of any publicly maintained highway with improved asphalt or concrete shoulders except an interstate highway. However, any farm equipment operating on the shoulders of a publicly maintained highway with improved asphalt on concrete shoulders except an interstate highway shall have in use hazard warning signals as provided in R.S. 32:320.1, or shall have displayed a slow-moving vehicle emblem as provided in R.S. 32:377 or any other hazard warning device which has been approved by the commissioner, or any combination thereof.

B. Notwithstanding R.S. 32:402 or any law to the contrary, no driver's license shall be required by a person who operates farm equipment on the shoulder of a highway, provided that the person is at least twelve years of age and the operation of such equipment is in compliance with Subsection A of this Section.

Acts 1992, No. 251, §1; Acts 1993, No. 414, §1; Acts 2007, No. 127, §1, eff. June 25, 2007.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:5 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 5
Authority of other law enforcement officers; parade marshals in Calcasieu Parish and Lake Charles; traffic control officers in the city of New Orleans
Status: in_force

A. All law enforcement officers of this state or of any political subdivision thereof invested by law with authority to direct, control, or regulate traffic are authorized to enforce the provisions of this Chapter and regulations of the department and the commissioner adopted pursuant hereto, within their respective territorial jurisdictions, except as otherwise provided by law or this Chapter.

B. The governing authorities of the city of Lake Charles and Calcasieu Parish may employ parade marshals who shall have the authority to direct, control, and regulate traffic for parade events only. However, such parade marshals shall not have the authority to issue traffic citations.

C. The superintendent of police in the city of New Orleans may contract with or employ traffic control officers who shall have the authority to direct, control, and regulate traffic within the city of New Orleans. However, no such officer shall have the authority to issue traffic citations. The New Orleans Police Department shall establish a training program for any such traffic control officers.

Acts 1962, No. 310, §1. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 113, §1, eff. June 22, 1977; Acts 2004, No. 136, §1; Acts 2016, No. 247, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:1509 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 1509
Shipping documents
Status: in_force

A.(1) No carrier shall transport any hazardous material unless shipping documents describing the lading are provided to the operator of the vehicle prior to departure and shall be carried in the vehicle or combination of vehicles.

(2) The description of lading shall include at least the shipping name, classification, and weight or volume of the material.

(3) The carrier shall make each shipping document available for inspection whenever requested by an officer, employee, or agent of the department.

B. If the tractor of a tractor-trailer combination is detached from the trailer, a copy of the shipping documents must be placed in a holder by the left front of the trailer.

Added by Acts 1979, No. 83, §1. Acts 1984, No. 413, §1; Acts 1985, No. 113, §1, eff. June 29, 1985.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:403.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 403.1
Application of persons sixty years of age or above
Status: in_force

Every person, sixty years of age or above, applying for a license under the provisions of this Chapter shall attach to his application a detailed report from a duly licensed physician or optometrist indicating his visual ability and a detailed medical report from a duly licensed physician indicating his physical condition and specifying any defects in connection therewith which might impair the applicant's ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to persons applying for a renewal license except for those persons subject to R.S. 32:403.4. However, it shall not be a breach of duty to the public or the individual if the department inadvertently fails to require a report from such applicant or if the department issues a license under the mistaken belief that such applicant is capable of driving safely.

Added by Acts 1968, No. 273, §8. Acts 1989, No. 293, §1, eff. June 27, 1989.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:444 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 444
Equipment requirements
Status: in_force

Any other provision of law, particularly Part V of Chapter 1 of this Title, to the contrary notwithstanding, unless the presence of equipment on a motor vehicle was a prior condition to the sale, to the offering for sale or to the operation of a motor vehicle on the highways of this state at the time the motor vehicle was manufactured for sale or use, the absence of equipment now or hereafter required by law from motor vehicles of historic or special interest shall not be construed as prohibiting the sale, the offering for sale or the legal operation on the highways of this state of any motor vehicle of historic or special interest. Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 7 of this Title, any motor vehicle of historic or special interest manufactured prior to the date on which emission control devices were standard equipment on that particular make or model of motor vehicle shall be exempt from all state and local requirements relative to the inspection and use of such emission control devices. Any safety equipment that was manufactured as part of such vehicle's original equipment shall be maintained in proper operating condition whenever the vehicle is operated on the highways of this state.

Added by Acts 1975, No. 641, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:393.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 393.1
Records of convictions; extracts; fees
Status: in_force

A. The commissioner shall prepare and maintain records of the convictions of any person for the violation of traffic offenses which the courts of this state or federal court and magistrates have forwarded to the Department of Public Safety. Extract copies of such records shall be available through the Baton Rouge office and at least two offices in every district.

B. The commissioner shall furnish an extract copy of license records required to be kept by Subsection A hereof to state, parish, municipal, and court officials of this state for official use only, without charge.

C. The commissioner shall charge a fee of five dollars for furnishing extract copies from the Baton Rouge office of license records required to be kept by Subsection A to other persons, firms, or corporations for uses other than official. The fee for extract copies furnished from local field offices shall be ten dollars.

D. All fees collected by the department's local field offices shall be paid into the state treasury on or before the twenty-fifth day of each month following their collection and, in accordance with Article VII, Section 9 of the Constitution of Louisiana shall be credited to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund.

E. REPEALED BY ACTS 1983, 1ST EX. SESS., N0. 33, §6, EFF. JAN. 19, 1983.

Acts 1963, No. 83, §1. Amended by Acts 1974, No. 508, §1; Acts 1977, No. 113, §1, eff. June 22, 1977; Acts 1977, No. 421, §1; Acts 1980, No. 167, §1; Acts 1983, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 33, §§2, 6, eff. Jan. 19, 1983; Acts 1983, No. 231, §1; Acts 1986, No. 1060, §1; Acts 1992, No. 984, §10.

{{NOTE: SEE ACTS 1986, NO. 1060, §2.}}
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:44 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 44
Required notification for red light cameras
Status: in_force

A. Local municipal authorities or local parish authorities shall post signs, indicating that a red light camera is present, within five hundred feet of each red light camera, in such a manner as to be clearly visible to traffic approaching the red light camera.

B, C. Repealed by Acts 2025, No. 107, §3.

Acts 2016, No. 348, §1; Acts 2025, No. 107, §3.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:381.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 381.1
Prohibited vehicle modifications; wheel well
Status: in_force

A. No person shall operate a motor vehicle upon any highway if, by alteration of the suspension, frame, or chassis, the height of the front fender is six or more inches greater than the height of the rear fender. For the purposes of this Subsection, the height of the fender shall be a vertical measurement from and perpendicular to the ground, through the centerline of the wheel, and to the bottom of the fender.

B. The provisions of this Section shall only apply to vehicles with no payload and no trailer attached.

Acts 2022, No. 773, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:328 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 328
Special lighting equipment on school buses
Status: in_force

A. The commissioner is hereby authorized to adopt standards and specifications applicable to lighting equipment on and special warning devices to be carried by school buses consistent with the provisions of this Chapter, but supplemental thereto. Such standards and specifications shall correlate with and, so far as possible, conform to the specifications then current as approved by the Society of Automotive Engineers.

B. It shall be unlawful to operate any flashing warning signal light on any school bus except when the school bus is stopped or is in the act of coming to a complete stop on a highway for the purpose of permitting school children to board or alight from the school bus.

Acts 1962, No. 310, §1; Amended by Acts 1966, No. 216, §1; Acts 1977, No. 113, §1, eff. June 22, 1977; Acts 2022, No. 640, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:1270 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 1270
Establishment of new marine dealerships or relocations; protests; procedure
Status: in_force

A. Whenever the commission receives an application for a recreational products dealer's license that would add a new marine dealership, it shall first notify the existing licensed marine dealership or dealerships selling the same-line makes, models, or classifications if the new dealership's proposed location is within the existing dealer's area of responsibility. Any same-line makes, models, or classifications dealership whose area of responsibility includes the location of the proposed new marine dealership may object to the granting of the license.

B. Whenever the commission receives an application for a recreational products dealer's license which would relocate an existing marine dealership, it shall first notify the existing licensed marine dealership or dealerships selling the same-line makes, models, or classifications if the dealership's proposed new location is within the existing dealer's area of responsibility. The existing same-line makes, models, or classifications dealership or dealerships shall have the right to object to the granting of the license only if the proposed relocation is within a radius of seven miles of its facility. However, without regard to distance, whenever the commission receives an application for the relocation of a marine dealership which would add an additional marine dealership to an existing same-line makes, models, or classifications dealership's area of responsibility, the affected dealership shall have the right to object.

C. The objection shall be in writing and shall be received by the commission within a fifteen-day period after receipt of the notice. The fifteen-day objection period shall be waived upon written notification to the commission from all licensees entitled to object that the licensees have no objections to the proposed change or addition for which the notice of intent was issued. If a timely objection is lodged, and prior to the issuance of the license, the commission shall hold a hearing within thirty days after receipt of the objection and issue its decision within ninety days after date of the hearing. Notice of hearing and an opportunity to participate therein shall be given to the manufacturer or distributor, the applicant for the license as a marine dealer, and to the protesting dealership or dealerships.

D. Whenever the commission receives an objection pursuant to the provisions of Subsection A of this Section, or whenever the commission receives an objection pursuant to the assignment of the marine dealer's area of principal sales and service responsibility, the commission shall consider the following and may consider any other relevant factors in determining whether there is good cause to approve or reject the assignment of the marine dealer's area of principal sales and service responsibility, or to issue a license:

(1) Whether the community or territory can support an additional marine dealership.

(2) The financial impact on both the applicant and the existing marine dealership or dealerships.

(3) Whether the existing marine dealerships of the same-line makes, models, or classifications in the dealership's area of responsibility are providing adequate representation, competition, and convenient consumer care for the marine products of the same-line makes, models, or classifications located within that area.

(4) Whether the issuance of the license would increase competition, be in the public interest, or both.

E. In disputes between the marine dealers and manufacturers and distributors regarding the execution of an agreement that would add a new same-line make marine dealership or would add the same product line regardless of brand name within the area of responsibility of an existing marine dealer, the name brand of the boat determines whether a dealer may enter into a franchise for a particular boat package or boat package line. The marine motor, marine engine, boat trailer, or any accessory made a part of a boat package shall not be the subject of, or a consideration in, an area of responsibility dispute for violation involving the boat package.

F. A manufacturer or distributor of a marine motor or marine engine may, in its discretion, enter into a warranty service agreement with a marine dealer of a boat package that is packaged with its particular brand marine motor or engine without violating the area of responsibility of any other marine dealer that has a franchise of that brand marine motor or engine. However, the warranty service agreement shall not be construed to permit the marine dealer to sell the marine motor or engine separate from the boat package, and the marine dealer shall not hold itself out to be a full-line or loose marine motor or engine dealership.

G. The provisions of this Section shall not apply when the marine products consist of a trolling motor, boat trailer, or watercraft trailer.

Acts 2012, No. 326, §1; Acts 2014, No. 111, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:1270.8 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 1270.8
Marine products repairs
Status: in_force

Suppliers of mechanical repairs and services for any marine product subject to regulation pursuant to this Part shall provide each consumer with an itemized bill indicating repairs and services performed, parts replaced, or materials used, the total labor charge, and the identity of the mechanic, repairman, or supplier who performed the work. However, nothing in this Section shall prohibit a supplier of mechanical repairs and services from charging a service fee for the use of shop supplies such as rags, fender covers, small amounts of fluid, or other items which are not itemized, provided that such fee does not exceed five percent of the total invoice for mechanical repairs or thirty-five dollars, whichever is less.

Acts 2012, No. 326, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:1501 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 1501
Declaration of policy
Status: in_force

It is hereby declared to be the policy of this state:

(1) That hazardous materials are essential for various industrial, commercial, and other purposes, that their transportation is a necessary incident to their use, and that the transportation is required for the economic prosperity of the people of the state of Louisiana.

(2) That the offering or accepting for transportation, loading or unloading, or transporting, handling, and movement of hazardous materials, because of their capacity for injury to human health, the environment, or property, poses a substantial danger to the health and safety of the citizens of this state unless such materials are loaded and transported in a safe and prudent manner.

(3) That all carrier transportation, including offering and accepting for transportation, loading or unloading, or transportation of hazardous materials, freight, or passengers, should comply with minimum state standards of safe operation, manufacture, and maintenance due to the size and momentum of the transport vehicles involved, the adverse impact on economic welfare posed to the citizens of this state when these transport vehicles are involved in accidents, the threat to public safety caused by these accidents, and the huge volume of shipments in which carriers are involved.

(4) That the offering or accepting for transportation, loading or unloading, or transporting of hazardous materials, freight, and passengers in accordance with minimum state standards of safety is the responsibility of the state.

Added by Acts 1979, No. 83, §1. Amended by Acts 1980, No. 603, §1, eff. July 23, 1980; Acts 1985, No. 113, §1, eff. June 29, 1985; Acts 1992, No. 340, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:691 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 691
Louisiana Trucking Research and Education Council; purpose
Status: in_force

The legislature recognizes that the Louisiana trucking industry faces many challenges, including but not limited to workforce development, highway safety, highway planning, and public education. The purpose of the Louisiana Trucking Research and Education Council is to promote education, training, research, and development for enhanced safety and efficiency within the industry.

Acts 2019, No. 314, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:1731 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 1731
Louisiana Towing and Storage Dedicated Fund Account
Status: in_force

All fees and fines collected pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter shall be paid into the state treasury on or before the twenty-fifth day of the month following their collection and, in accordance with Article VII, Section 9 of the Constitution of Louisiana, shall be credited to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund. Out of the funds remaining in the Bond Security and Redemption Fund, after a sufficient amount is allocated therefrom to pay all obligations secured by the full faith and credit of the state which become due and payable within each fiscal year, the treasurer shall pay an amount equal to the total amount of funds paid into the treasury into a special statutorily dedicated fund account, which is hereby created in the state treasury and designated as the "Louisiana Towing and Storage Dedicated Fund Account", hereafter referred to as the "account". All funds collected or received pursuant to this Chapter and deposited in the account shall be administered by the deputy secretary of public safety services. The account shall be used solely to fund personnel positions and the activities and enforcement of this Chapter by the office of state police and only in the amount appropriated by the legislature with all remaining funds to be deposited in the state general fund. Monies deposited into the account shall be categorized as fees and self-generated revenue for the sole purpose of reporting related to the executive budget, supporting documents, and general appropriation bills and shall be available for annual appropriation by the legislature.

Acts 1989, No. 522, §1; Acts 2001, No. 856, §1; Acts 2021, No. 114, §7, eff. July 1, 2022.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:1517 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 1517
Personnel and expenses
Status: in_force

A. The secretary shall employ such persons as he considers qualified, consistent with applicable civil service regulations, to carry out the provisions of this Chapter.

B. The secretary may incur such expenses as may be required to carry out the provisions of this Chapter.

Added by Acts 1979, No. 83, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:430 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 430
Suspension, revocation, and denial of driving privileges; hardship license; insurance rates
Status: in_force

A.(1) Whenever any person who has not yet attained the age of nineteen, but who is not younger than thirteen years of age, is convicted of any crime, offense, violation, or infraction involving the possession, use, or abuse of alcohol or one or more controlled dangerous substances, is convicted of any provision of R.S. 40:966 through 970 of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law, is convicted of any provision of the Louisiana Racketeering Act, or is adjudicated delinquent for the commission of such offense, the court in which the person was so convicted or adjudicated delinquent shall prepare and send to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, within ten days of the conviction or adjudication, an order of denial of driving privileges for not less than ninety days but not more than one year for the person convicted or adjudicated delinquent, or until he has reached the age of eighteen years, whichever is longer. If the person convicted or adjudicated delinquent is older than eighteen years, the order of denial shall be for not less than ninety days nor more than one year.

(2) Whenever any person who has attained the age of nineteen is convicted of any crime, offense, violation, or infraction involving the possession, use, or abuse of one or more controlled dangerous substances, the court in which the person was convicted shall prepare and send to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, within ten days of the conviction, an order of denial of driving privileges for not less than ninety days but not more than one year for the person convicted.

(3) Whenever a person nineteen years of age or older is convicted of any felony offense involving a possession violation of any provision of R.S. 40:966 through 970 of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law, or a violation of the Louisiana Racketeering Act, the court in which the person is so convicted shall prepare and send to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, within ten days of the conviction, an order of denial of driving privileges for the person so convicted.

B. In addition to any other authority to suspend driving privileges, the department shall suspend all driving privileges or the right to apply for driving privileges of any person upon receipt of an order of denial of driving privileges under this Section.

C. The suspension of driving privileges shall be imposed without hearing. Driving privileges, or the right to apply for driving privileges, of the person shall be suspended as provided in the following Paragraphs:

(1) Upon receipt of the first order denying driving privileges to a person under Paragraph (A)(1) of this Section, the department shall suspend the driving privileges of that person for not less than ninety days nor more than one year, or until the person whose driving privileges were suspended reaches eighteen years of age, whichever is longer. If he is older than eighteen years, his driving privileges shall be suspended for not less than ninety days nor more than one year.

(2) Upon receipt of a second or subsequent order denying driving privileges to a person under Paragraph (A)(1) of this Section, the department shall suspend the driving privileges of that person for one year or until the person whose driving privileges were suspended reaches nineteen years of age, whichever is longer.

(3) Upon receipt of an order denying driving privileges to a person under Paragraph (A)(2) of this Section, the department shall suspend the driving privileges of that person for not less than ninety days nor more than one year.

D. If the department receives notice from a court that it has withdrawn an order issued under this Section, the department shall immediately reinstate any driving privileges that have been suspended under this Section because of the issuance of the order.

E. The court, in addition to any other authority granted under this Section, may issue an order which authorizes the department to issue a restricted driver's license after the first thirty days of the suspension period upon a demonstration to the court's satisfaction that a hardship would result from being unable to commute to either school or to work. The restrictions of said license shall be determined by the court.

F.(1) Notwithstanding any restrictions imposed, in any case in which the applicant for a restricted driver's license has had his driver's license suspended, revoked, or cancelled upon conviction or entry of plea of guilty and sentence thereupon, or the forfeiture of bail if the offense involved constituted operating or being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating beverages, or if the offense involved possession, in violation of R.S. 40:966 through 970, of any controlled dangerous substance listed in Schedules I, II, III, IV, or V of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law, or any drug offense as defined in R.S. 32:401, the court may, after the first thirty days of the suspension period, additionally order that the applicant's restricted license include permission to operate a motor vehicle on such streets as would enable him to go to and from meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous and to go to and from approved group therapy or special education courses for or about the disease of alcoholism, alcohol abuse, or drug abuse, in a suitable public or private institution or program approved by the appropriate state authority.

(2) The receipt of such a restricted license may be conditioned upon:

(a) A medical evaluation and a recommendation that the convicted person is pathologically addicted to alcohol and/or is a habitual alcoholic or other drug offender.

(b) On the condition that such convicted individual submit to medical treatment and/or medically approved group therapy or special education courses for or about the disease of alcoholism, alcohol abuse, or drug abuse, in a suitable public or private institution or program approved by the appropriate state authority.

G. The provisions of Subsection F of this Section shall apply only to persons never previously convicted of any offense listed in Subsection A of this Section. The provisions of Subsection F of this Section shall apply to Class "D" and Class "E" licenses.

H. A copy of an order issued under Subsections F and G of this Section shall be sent to the department along with a copy of the conviction or adjudication notice. A copy of the order containing the restrictions shall be attached to the license of the person convicted or adjudicated and shall be in the possession of the person whenever he is operating a motor vehicle. A restricted license shall be issued by the department and designated by a large red "R" printed on the face of the license. The term of the restrictions shall be the same as the term of the original suspension, cancellation, or revocation.

I. A violation of the restrictions or a subsequent conviction or adjudication of delinquency for the offenses stated in this Section during the term of the restricted license shall result in the extension of the period of suspension for one year from the date upon which the licensee would otherwise have been able to apply for a new license and shall also constitute contempt of court. A suspension which results from such a violation, conviction, or adjudication of delinquency shall not be subject to appeal as set forth in this Section. The restricted driving privileges authorized by Subsections F and G of this Section may be allowed to a person only once.

J. Any person whose license has been suspended by the department shall be notified of such suspension in writing by the department. This notice shall be sent by certified mail to the last address furnished by such person, and the person shall return his or her license to the department within five days of receiving the notice. The notice shall also advise such person that he or she may obtain a special identification card from the driver's license division of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections pursuant to R.S. 40:1321.

K. Any period of suspension under this Chapter shall begin upon receipt by the department of the operator's license or proof of its loss, upon expiration of the operator's license, or thirty days after the date the notice of suspension is mailed to the licensee by the department, whichever occurs first.

L. Upon the expiration of the period of the suspension of any license, the department shall return the license to the licensee or in its discretion may issue him a new license, but only after a reinstatement fee of sixty dollars has been paid to the department and the requirements of R.S. 32:896 relative to proof of financial responsibility have been satisfied. Monies derived from this reinstatement fee shall be disbursed as set out in R.S. 32:414(G)(1)(b).

M. No insurer issuing a policy of automobile insurance covering property damages, personal injury, or accidental death shall increase any rate or premium charges for insurance coverage because of any suspension of a license under the provisions of this Section, unless the crime, offense, violation, or infraction is directly related to the operation of a motor vehicle. The provisions of this Subsection shall not be construed to prohibit the increase of any automobile insurance rate or premium, pursuant to a rate increase which is approved by the commissioner of insurance, for a class of insurance of which the person whose license has been suspended pursuant to this Section is or becomes a member.

N.(1) When any person's driver's license has been seized, suspended, or revoked, and the seizure, suspension, or revocation is connected to a charge or charges of violation of a criminal law, and the charge or charges do not result in a conviction, plea of guilty, or bond forfeiture, the person charged shall not be required to pay any reinstatement fee if at the time for reinstatement of driver's license, it can be shown that the criminal charges have been dismissed or that there has been a permanent refusal to charge a crime by the appropriate prosecutor or there has been an acquittal. If however, at the time for reinstatement, the licensee has pending against him criminal charges arising from the arrest which led to his suspension or revocation of driver's license, the reinstatement fee shall be collected. Upon subsequent proof of final dismissal or acquittal, other than under Code of Criminal Procedure Article 893 or 894, the licensee shall be entitled to a reimbursement of the reinstatement fee previously paid. In no event shall exemption from this reinstatement fee or reimbursement of a reinstatement fee affect the validity of the underlying suspension or revocation.

(2) If a licensee qualifies for the exemption from the reinstatement fee or for a reimbursement of the reinstatement fee as provided in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, the licensee shall receive credit for the unexpired portion of the license which was seized, and shall be exempt from the payment of, or shall receive reimbursement for the payment of, the duplicate license fee and the handling fee with regard to the license which was seized.

Acts 1988, No. 536, §§1, 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1989, No. 42, §1; Acts 1989, No. 376, §1; Acts 1989, No. 432, §1; Acts 1991, No. 936, §1, eff. July 24, 1991; Acts 1992, No. 277, §1, eff. June 11, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 605, §1, Acts 1992, No. 1096, §1; Acts 1995, No. 520, §2; Acts 2001, No. 878, §1; Acts 2007, No. 459, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2008.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:78 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 78
One-way roadways and rotary traffic islands
Status: in_force

A. The Department may designate any highway or any separate roadway for one-way traffic and shall erect appropriate signs giving notice thereof.

B. Upon a roadway designated and signposted for one-way traffic a vehicle shall be driven only in the direction designated, and a vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single line of traffic and shall not be moved from such line of traffic until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety.

C. A vehicle passing around a rotary traffic island shall be driven only to the right of such island.

Acts 1962, No. 310, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:1603 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 1603
Placard, rules and regulations
Status: in_force

The secretary of the department may adopt and promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this Chapter. The secretary shall adopt and promulgate all rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

Added by Acts 1983, No. 117, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:863.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 863.2
Notification of the cancellation or issuance of security; penalties; database development
Status: in_force

A.(1) All entities providing security in compliance with R.S. 32:861 et seq., hereinafter referred to as "security providers", whether admitted or nonadmitted (surplus line underwriter) insurance companies providing automobile liability policies, or sales representatives or agents of surety companies issuing motor vehicle liability bonds, or the state treasurer holding deposits, shall notify the secretary of the effective dates of each liability policy, liability bond, deposit, or other security within fifteen business days from the date that notice of such policy, bond, deposit, or other security was issued by the security provider.

(2) Except as otherwise provided for motor carriers in R.S. 32:900(M), in addition, all such security providers shall notify the secretary when any policy, bond, deposit, or other item of security is terminated, withdrawn, canceled, lapsed, or otherwise made ineffective within fifteen business days from the date that notice of the security becoming ineffective was issued by the security provider.

(3) Beginning January 1, 1990, the information required by this Section shall be in the form required by the secretary, who may require by regulation such information as the driver's license number of the owner or lessee of the vehicle and of the named insureds, together with the complete vehicle identification number and a description of each vehicle.

(4) The information required by this Section shall be in the form required by the secretary, who may require by regulation such information as the driver's license number of the owner or lessee of the vehicle and of the named insureds, together with the complete vehicle identification number and description of each vehicle.

(5) If any cancellation of a motor vehicle liability policy occurs at the request of the insured, the insurer is not obligated to cancel such policy earlier than ten days prior to actual receipt by the insurer of such request.

(6) If any cancellation of a motor vehicle liability insurance policy occurs as a result of the rescission or other cancellation of the sale of the motor vehicle on which the policy is issued, the insurer shall notify the secretary of the cancellation and the circumstances of the cancellation, and the insured shall not be liable for any penalty or fee imposed for failure to maintain the security required by law.

B. When a security provider does not provide the deputy secretary of public safety services of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections with the information required by this Section within the time limits set forth in this Section, the insurance company, sales representative or agent, state treasurer, or other provider shall pay a late fee of not more than fifty dollars per policy, bond, or deposit, or other security item concerning which information is not supplied. If the security provider has reported this information for a policy, bond, deposit, or other security item for a commercial motor vehicle in an untimely manner, the deputy secretary shall impose the late fee unless the deputy secretary determines that the security provider made a good faith effort to comply with these requirements but the delay was caused by circumstances outside the security provider's control. All fees collected under this Subsection shall be deposited in the Bond Security and Redemption Fund as provided in R.S. 32:853(B)(2).

C. The secretary shall keep a record of the information received from security providers concerning coverage of vehicles and persons by security required by R.S. 32:861, which information may be stored through automated electronic data processing means. After the department has complete vehicle liability security records, upon written request including the driver's license number for each person, the vehicle identification number for each vehicle, and the payment of a fee of fifteen dollars for each vehicle owned by a person about which inquiry is made, the secretary shall forward to the inquiring party such vehicle and driver liability security information as is contained in the records of the department. If the department's search of its records fails to show the existence of any liability insurance or other security as of the date about which inquiry is made, an official of the department will issue a sworn, notarized affidavit to that effect. Such an affidavit shall be prima facie evidence that on the date in question, the person or vehicle about which inquiry was made did not have in effect a policy of liability insurance or other security as required by law. The fee collected pursuant to this Section shall be remitted by the secretary to the state treasurer to be credited to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund as provided in R.S. 32:853(B)(2).

D. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, when there is a question of fact as to the existence of liability insurance coverage on a motor vehicle, and the owner of that motor vehicle has in fact maintained that coverage without lapse, and the question results from a mistake made by an insurance company or agent, or by any other entity, the owner of the motor vehicle shall not be required to pay any reinstatement fee in connection with any actions taken based on that question of coverage. If a reinstatement fee is imposed by the state, the reinstatement fee shall be paid by the agent, company, or other entity which made the mistake.

E.(1) Prior to taking any administrative action based on the receipt of a notice of cancellation of insurance or other security, the secretary shall notify the person who is the subject of the notice at his last known driver's license address, of cancellation of the receipt of that notice. The notice of receipt of a notice of cancellation shall be in writing. The notice shall inform the subject that he has ten calendar days from the date of the notice in which he may surrender the license plates of the vehicle in order to avoid the fees prescribed by R.S. 32:863(A)(3)(a). The person to whom the notice is addressed shall have thirty days to respond to the notice. The response may be made by mail.

(2) If the person to whom the notice is addressed is able to show that the insurance or other security was canceled for a legitimate reason, the secretary shall take no administrative action against that person. Legitimate reasons for cancellation of insurance or other security shall include but shall not be limited to the transfer of ownership of the vehicle or the surrender of the license plate of the formerly insured vehicle. If the vehicle is sold within ten calendar days after the date liability security on the vehicle was cancelled or its license plate is surrendered within ten calendar days of the date of notice sent pursuant to Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, no administrative action shall be taken. The transfer of ownership of the vehicle may be established by presenting to the secretary a copy of the title transfer or a copy of the act of sale, donation, exchange, surrender to a salvage yard, or other transaction.

(3) If the original of the document presented as proof of transfer of ownership has not been notarized, the authenticity of the document may be established by an affidavit executed by the person to whom the notice is addressed in which that person recites the circumstances of the transfer of ownership of the vehicle and attests to the truthfulness and accuracy of the document presented as proof of transfer of ownership.

F.(1) The secretary shall formulate criteria to develop and initiate a request for proposals to procure and implement a real-time system to quickly and accurately identify and verify the existence of motor vehicle insurance or other security required in compliance with the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Law using advanced telecommunications and computer technology.

(2) The criteria established by the secretary shall be developed only after consulting with an advisory group consisting of the commissioner of insurance or his designee, the superintendent of state police or his designee, the executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission or his designee, and five additional members, one representing the American Insurance Association, one representing the Property Casualty Insurance Association of America, one selected from a list of names submitted by the three insurers with the largest market share of automobile insurance in Louisiana, one from the Louisiana Association of Fire and Casualty Companies, and one from the Louisiana Independent Agents Association.

(3) The request for proposal shall require participants to develop a system that allows real-time access to state and local law enforcement officials allowing them to obtain the status of the existence of motor vehicle insurance or other security required in this state as provided in the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Law.

(4) The system developed pursuant to this Subsection may initially be implemented by the secretary as a six-month pilot program to be developed and implemented statewide upon expiration of the six-month period.

(5) The secretary shall require such information as may be necessary from automobile insurers or their representatives and the state treasurer as is needed to assist the contractor in developing the system as such relates to the cancellation or issuance of motor vehicle liability security or deposit of sufficient security with the state treasurer in order to operate a motor vehicle in this state.

(6) The secretary shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Subsection.

Acts 1984, No. 212, §1, eff. July 1, 1985; Acts 1987, No. 160, §1; Acts 1987, No. 616, §1, eff. July 9, 1987; Acts 1995, No. 183, §1; Acts 1995, No. 301, §1, eff. June 15, 1995; Acts 1995, No. 423, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1077, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1476, §4, eff. Sept. 6, 1998; Acts 1999, No. 74, §1; Acts 2001, No. 883, §1; Acts 2008, No. 851, §1, eff. July 9, 2008; Acts 2011, No. 370, §2; Acts 2012, No. 749, §1.

NOTE: See Acts 1997, No. 1476, §5(D)(2). The rate reduction day was the date on which the judgment in the lawsuit became final, May 8, 1998. Sections 2 through 4 became effective 120 days thereafter, Sept. 6, 1998.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:197 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 197
Riding on roadways and bicycle paths
Status: in_force

A. Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction, except under any of the following circumstances:

(1) When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.

(2) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

(3) When reasonably necessary to avoid fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lane or any other conditions that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. For purposes of this Paragraph, a "substandard width lane" is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.

(4) When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.

B. Repealed by Acts 2011, No. 244, §3.

C. Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.

D. Persons riding bicycles shall be allowed to operate on the shoulder of a roadway.

E. Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway or a highway, where there are two or more marked traffic lanes and traffic travels in only one direction, may ride as near the left-hand curb or shoulder of that roadway as practicable when preparing for a left turn.

Acts 1962, No. 310, §1; Acts 2010, No. 618, §§2, 4; Acts 2010, No. 813, §1; Acts 2011, No. 244, §3.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:295.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 295.1
Safety belt use; tags indicating exemption
Status: in_force

A.(1) Each driver of a passenger car, van, sports utility vehicle, or truck having a gross weight of twenty-six thousand pounds or less in this state shall have a safety belt properly fastened about his or her body at all times when the vehicle is in forward motion. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to those cars, vans, sports utility vehicles, or pickups manufactured prior to January 1, 1981.

(2) A person operating or riding in an autocycle shall wear seatbelts while in forward motion.

(3) Each driver of a passenger car, van, sports utility vehicle, or truck having a gross weight of twenty-six thousand pounds or less shall not transport more persons than there are safety belts available in the vehicle.

B. Except as provided by R.S. 32:295 for children under the age of thirteen or as otherwise provided by law, each occupant of a passenger car, van, sports utility vehicle, or truck having a gross weight of twenty-six thousand pounds or less in this state shall have a safety belt properly fastened about his or her body at all times when the vehicle is in forward motion.

C. This Section shall not apply to the following:

(1) A motor vehicle operated by a rural letter carrier of the United States Postal Service while performing his or her duties as a rural letter carrier, to a farm vehicle being operated within five miles of the place of its principal use, to a motor vehicle being operated by a newspaper delivery person while he or she is engaged in the distribution of regularly published newspapers.

(2) A motor vehicle operated by a utility worker, including any water, gas, or electric meter reader, in the course of his employment which requires the person to emerge from and re-enter a passenger vehicle at frequent intervals. However, while engaged in such work, such utility worker shall not drive or travel in such vehicle at a speed exceeding 20 miles per hour.

D.(1) This Section shall not apply to an occupant of a passenger car or operator with a physically or mentally disabling condition whose physical or mental disability would prevent appropriate restraint in the safety belt; however, the condition shall be duly certified by a physician who shall state the nature of the disability, as well as the reason such restraint is inappropriate.

(2)(a) On the application of any person with a mental or physical disability whose impairment is permanent and prevents use of a seat belt, the commissioner shall issue a special tag for the benefit of the applicant which indicates such condition. The fee for the tag shall be five dollars. In lieu of issuance of the special tag, the commissioner shall indicate on the face of the applicant's driver's license, as provided in R.S. 32:403.2 and 410, that the applicant is not required to use a seat belt.

(b) Each application shall be accompanied by a physician's statement certifying that the applicant is permanently disabled and that such disability prevents the applicant's use of a seat belt.

(3)(a) On application of any person with a mental or physical disability whose impairment prevents use of a seat belt, but is not permanent, the commissioner shall issue a special temporary tag for the benefit of the applicant which indicates such condition. The fee for the temporary tag shall be five dollars.

(b) Each application for a temporary tag shall be accompanied by a physician's statement certifying that the applicant is temporarily disabled and certifying a period of time for which the disability will prevent the applicant's use of a seat belt.

(c) Any individual who has been issued a temporary tag under the provisions of this Section and who desires to extend the time period for which the tag is valid shall provide to the office of motor vehicles a physician's statement certifying that the applicant continues to have a disability which prevents the applicant's use of a seat belt and certifying a period of time for which the tag should be renewed. Failure to provide recertification statements shall result in the suspension of such privilege.

(4) No individual to whom a tag has been issued shall do any of the following:

(a) Display or permit the display of the tag on any motor vehicle in which he is not a passenger.

(b) Refuse to return or surrender the tag when required.

(5)(a) If a tag is lost, destroyed, or mutilated, the individual to whom the card was issued may obtain a duplicate by doing all of the following:

(i) Furnish suitable proof of the loss, destruction, or mutilation to the secretary.

(ii) Complete an application as required by this Section for the issuance of an original tag.

(iii) Pay a fee of five dollars for reissuance.

(b) Any individual who loses a tag and, after obtaining a duplicate, finds the original, shall immediately surrender the original tag to the commissioner or to any field office of the office of motor vehicles and shall not display the original tag on any vehicle.

(6) Any individual who is not impaired as provided in this Section and who willfully and falsely represents himself as having the conditions to obtain a special tag authorized by this Section shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than two hundred fifty dollars, or shall be imprisoned for not more than thirty days, or both, and on subsequent offenses, shall be fined not less than two hundred fifty dollars nor more than five hundred dollars, or shall be imprisoned for not more than ninety days, or both.

(7) Any individual who utilizes a tag authorized by this Section which was not legally issued to him and who is not transporting the individual to whom the tag was issued shall be fined not less than fifty dollars nor more than two hundred fifty dollars or shall be imprisoned for not more than thirty days, or both, and on second and subsequent offenses, shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars, or shall be imprisoned for not more than sixty days, or both.

(8) Any individual to whom a tag is issued under the provisions of this Section and who allows his tag to be used by an individual not entitled to the use of such tag shall have his tag suspended for six months and shall be fined not less than fifty dollars nor more than two hundred fifty dollars, or shall be imprisoned for not more than thirty days for the first offense, or both. On the second and subsequent offenses, said suspension shall be for one year, and the individual shall be fined not less than two hundred fifty dollars nor more than five hundred dollars, in addition to suspension of said privileges, or shall be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

(9) Any physician who willfully and falsely certifies that an individual is impaired in order to allow that person to obtain the special tag authorized in this Section shall be fined one thousand dollars, or shall be imprisoned for not more than ninety days, or both.

(10) The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act for the implementation of the provisions of this Section. The commissioner shall determine the design, color, and placement of the tag issued under the provisions of this Section, provided that such design, color, and placement is easily discernable to law enforcement officers as designating individuals who are exempted from seat belt usage and provided that the tag includes a photograph of the person entitled to the tag.

E. Repealed by Acts 2020, 1 st Ex. Sess., No. 36, §1, and No. 37, §5, eff. Jan. 1, 2021.

F. Probable cause for violation of this Section shall be based solely upon a law enforcement officer's clear and unobstructed view of a person not restrained as required by this Section. A law enforcement officer may not search or inspect a motor vehicle, its contents, the driver, or a passenger solely because of a violation of this Section.

G.(1) Any person who violates this Section shall be subject to the following penalties:

(a) Upon conviction of a first offense, the fine shall be fifty dollars which shall include all costs of court.

(b) Upon conviction of a second offense, the fine shall be seventy-five dollars which shall include all costs of court.

(c) Upon conviction of a third offense and any subsequent offense, the fine shall be seventy-five dollars plus all costs of court.

(2) Any person who violates the provisions of this Section in Orleans Parish shall have an additional twenty dollar penalty assessed for each violation. The funds collected pursuant to the provisions of this Paragraph shall be deposited in the indigent defender fund pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 15:571.11(A)(1)(d).

(3) Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, no other cost or fee shall be assessed against any person for a violation of this Section.

H. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall initiate an educational program designed to encourage compliance with the safety belt usage requirements of this Section.

I. Repealed by Acts 1997, No. 383, §1, and Acts 1997, No. 511, §1.

Acts 1985, No. 377, §1, eff. July 1, 1986; Acts 1986, No. 53, §1; Acts 1988, No. 759, §1, eff. Aug. 1, 1988; Acts 1992, No. 1084, §1; Acts 1995, No. 643, §1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, No. 383, §1; Acts 1997, No. 511, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1085, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1261, §1; Acts 1999, No. 926, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1344, §1; Acts 2001, No. 603, §1; Acts 2006, No. 318, §1, eff. June 13, 2006; Acts 2009, No. 166, §1; Acts 2012, No. 244, §1; Acts 2012, No. 413, §2; Acts 2014, No. 811, §16, eff. June 23, 2014; Acts 2016, No. 445, §1; Acts 2019, No. 208, §1; Acts 2020, 1 st Ex. Sess., No. 36, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2021; Acts 2020, 1 st Ex. Sess., No. 37, §5, eff. Jan. 1, 2021.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:210.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 210.3
Device operation
Status: in_force

A personal delivery device operated under this Subpart shall:

(1) Operate in a manner that complies with any provision under this Chapter that is applicable to pedestrians, unless the provision cannot apply to the device.

(2) Yield to or not obstruct the right-of-way to all other lawful traffic, including pedestrian traffic.

(3) Not unreasonably interfere with other traffic, including pedestrian traffic.

(4) Display the lights required by R.S. 32:301 et seq., if the personal delivery device is operated at night.

(5) Comply with any applicable regulations adopted by local authority.

(6) Not transport hazardous materials regulated under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 5103 and required to be placarded under 49 CFR Part 172, Subpart F.

(7) Be monitored or controlled by an agent of the business entity meeting the requirements of R.S. 32:210.2(A).

Acts 2021, No. 214, §1, eff. June 11, 2021.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:1268 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 1268
Requirements upon termination; penalty; indemnity
Status: in_force

A.(1) In the event the licensee ceases to engage in the business of being a motor vehicle, recreational products, or specialty vehicle dealer, or ceases to sell a particular make of motor vehicle, recreational product, or specialty vehicle and after notice to the manufacturer, converter, distributor, or representative by certified mail or commercial delivery service with verification of receipt, within thirty days of the receipt of the notice by the manufacturer, converter, distributor, or representative, the manufacturer, converter, distributor, or representative shall repurchase:

(a) All new motor vehicles, recreational products, and specialty vehicles of the current and last prior model year delivered to the licensee and parts on hand purchased in the ordinary course of business that have not been damaged or substantially altered to the prejudice of the manufacturer while in the possession of the licensee. As to recreational products dealers, the repurchase of parts shall be limited to those listed in the manufacturer's price book. The motor vehicles, recreational products, and specialty vehicles and parts shall be repurchased at the cost to the licensee which shall include without limitation freight and advertising costs, less all allowances paid to the dealer, except that new automobiles shall be purchased on the schedule as follows:

(i) Vehicles with 0 - 1,000 miles at the cost to the licensee.

(ii) Vehicles with 1,001 - 6,000 miles at the cost to the licensee reduced by the net discount value of each mile in excess of 1,000 miles, where "net discount value" is determined according to the following formula: cost to the licensee multiplied by total mileage in excess of 1,000 miles divided by 100,000, and where "net cost" equals the dealer cost plus any charges by the manufacturer, distributor, or representative for distribution, delivery, advertising, and taxes, less all allowances paid to the dealer by the manufacturer, distributor, or representative for new, unsold, undamaged, and complete motor vehicles.

(iii) Vehicles with 6,001 miles or over - no obligation to repurchase.

(iv) Any mileage recorded by a manufacturer in distributing a motor vehicle to a motor vehicle dealer shall not be included in the calculation as provided in this Subparagraph.

(b) At fair market value, each undamaged sign owned by the dealer which bears a trademark or trade name used or claimed by the manufacturer, converter, distributor, or representative if the sign was purchased from or purchased at the request of the manufacturer, distributor, or representative. Fair market value shall be no less than cost of acquisition of the sign by the dealer.

(c) At fair market value, all special tools and automotive service equipment owned by the dealer which were recommended in writing and designated as special tools and equipment and purchased in the ordinary course of business from or at the request of the manufacturer, converter, distributor, or representative, if the tools and equipment are in usable and good condition except for reasonable wear and tear. Fair market value shall be no less than cost of acquisition of special tools and automotive service equipment by the dealer.

(d) The manufacturer, converter, distributor, or representative shall pay to the dealer the costs of transporting, handling, packing, and loading of recreational product, motor and speciality vehicles, or parts, signs, tools, and equipment subject to repurchase.

(2)(a) After a motor vehicle dealer terminates his franchise, the manufacturer or converter shall make required repurchases within thirty days after such dealer has satisfied all of the following conditions:

(i) The motor vehicle dealer submits to the manufacturer, by certified mail, return receipt requested, or commercial delivery service with verification of receipt, a final inventory of motor vehicles and parts, special tools, and automotive services on hand.

(ii) The motor vehicle dealer tenders the parts, special tools, and automotive service equipment to the manufacturer.

(b) After a specialty vehicle dealer terminates his franchise, the manufacturer or converter shall make required repurchases within thirty days after such dealer has submitted to the manufacturer by certified mail, return receipt requested, or commercial delivery service with verification of receipt, a final inventory of vehicles and parts on hand.

(c) After a recreational products dealer terminates his franchise, the manufacturer or converter shall make required repurchases within sixty days after such dealer has submitted to the manufacturer by certified mail, return receipt requested, or commercial delivery service with verification of receipt, a final inventory of vehicles and parts on hand. This Subparagraph shall not apply to the repurchase of marine products and related items.

B. Failure to make such repurchase without just cause shall subject the manufacturer or converter to a penalty of one and one-half percent per month, or fraction thereof, of the inventory value or returnable recreational product, specialty and motor vehicles, and parts, signs, special tools, and automotive service equipment, payable to the dealer, as long as the repurchase is not made.

C.(1) Upon the involuntary termination, nonrenewal, or cancellation of any franchise by the manufacturer or converter, except for termination, nonrenewal, or cancellation resulting from a felony conviction, notwithstanding the terms of any franchise, whether entered into before or after the enactment of this Chapter or any of its provisions, the new motor vehicle or specialty vehicle dealer shall be allowed fair and reasonable compensation by the manufacturer or converter as agreed by the parties, or lacking agreement, as determined by the commission, for the dealership facilities if the facilities were required to be purchased or constructed as a precondition to obtaining the franchise or to its renewal; provided that if such facilities were leased and the lease were required as a precondition to obtaining the franchise or to its renewal, then the manufacturer or converter shall be liable for one year's payment of the rent or the remainder of the term of the lease, whichever is less.

(2) Payment under this Section shall entitle the manufacturers, converters, or distributors to possession and use of the facility.

(3) As used in this Section, "manufacturer" shall include a manufacturer, a converter, a distributor, a factory branch, distributor branch, or other subsidiary thereof.

(4) The obligation of the manufacturer or converter to purchase a dealership facility, pursuant to this Section, is equally applicable if an entity or person affiliated with the dealer is the owner or lessor of the facility.

D. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the provisions of this Section shall not apply to a marine dealer, motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle dealer, or recreational vehicle dealer.

Acts 2005, No. 500, §1, eff. July 12, 2005; Acts 2009, No. 403, §1, eff. July 7, 2009; Acts 2010, No. 1036, §1; Acts 2012, No. 150, §1; Acts 2012, No. 326, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:398.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 398.1
Traffic citations; form; issuance
Status: in_force

A. All traffic enforcement agencies in this state shall provide traffic citations in appropriate form containing notices to appear, which shall be issued through one of the following manners:

(1) Books with citations in quadruplicate and meeting the requirements of this Part and approved by the commissioner.

(2) Electronic tickets or e-tickets meeting the requirements of this Part and approved by the commissioner. For the purposes of this Section, an "electronic ticket" or "e-ticket" means a ticket that is electronically generated and transmitted.

B. The chief administrative officer of each traffic-enforcement agency shall issue these books, maintain a record of each book and each citation contained therein issued to all individual members of the traffic enforcement agency and shall require and retain a receipt for each book issued.

C. Repealed by Acts 2018, No. 192, §1.

Added by Acts 1968, No. 273, §5. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 113, §1, eff. June 22, 1977; Acts 1997, No. 759, §1, eff. July 10, 1997; Acts 2008, No. 175, §1; Acts 2018, No. 192, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:451 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 451
Declaration of purpose
Status: in_force

This Part is enacted for the purpose of enhancing the recreational and leisure pursuits of Louisiana citizens by facilitating participation in the hobby of collecting, preserving, modifying, operating, and maintaining street rods and street cruisers and thus providing the following: preservation of modified antique motor vehicles known as street rods or of other vehicles known as street cruisers; recognition for the automobile hobbyist in Louisiana; promotion of vehicle safety through self-policing; additional revenue to the state through sales tax paid upon the purchase of such vehicles and parts therefor; and family-oriented recreation for Louisiana citizens.

Added by Acts 1980, No. 587, §1. Acts 1992, No. 189, §1, eff. June 8, 1992.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:264 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 264
Authority to regulate traffic through tunnels
Status: in_force

A. The department may provide regulations to govern the use of all tunnels, including regulations excluding undesirable types of traffic or loads. No over-weight or over-sized permits may be granted for passage through a tunnel.

B. Regulations adopted pursuant to this Section shall be posted in a conspicuous place near each vehicular entrance to the tunnel.

Acts 1962, No. 310, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:1723 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 1723
Maintenance of records
Status: in_force

The owner of the place of business shall maintain adequate records on storage of all vehicles, describing the vehicle, the date brought into storage, and the name of the person and/or department authorizing such storage. These records and any vehicle remaining in storage shall be open to inspection by any peace officer any time the business is open. All records of storage shall be maintained for a period of at least three years.

Acts 1989, No. 522, §1; Acts 2001, No. 1097, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:456 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 456
Registration; licensing
Status: in_force

No vehicle which has been registered and licensed as a street cruiser pursuant to this Part and R.S. 47:463.33 shall be subject to the regular motor vehicle licensing requirements.

Acts 1992, No. 189, §1, eff. June 8, 1992.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:721 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 721
Stolen vehicles; report of theft and recovery
Status: in_force

The Department of Public Safety and every sheriff, chief of police, or peace officer upon receiving reliable information that any vehicle registered hereunder has been stolen shall immediately or not later than one week after receiving such information report such theft to the commissioner, unless prior thereto information has been received of the recovery of such vehicle. Any said officer upon receiving information that any vehicle, which he has previously reported as stolen, has been recovered, shall immediately report the fact of such recovery to the local sheriff's office or police department and to the commissioner.

Acts 1950, No. 342, §24.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:211 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 211
Pedestrians subject to traffic regulations
Status: in_force

Pedestrians shall be subject to traffic-control signals at intersections as provided in R.S. 32:233 unless otherwise required by local ordinance, but at all other places pedestrians shall be accorded the privileges and shall be subject to the restrictions stated in this Part.

Acts 1962, No. 310, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:681 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 681
Postaccident drug testing; accidents involving fatalities; required
Status: in_force

A. The operator of any motor vehicle or watercraft which is involved in a collision or crash on the public highways, including waterways, shall be deemed to have given consent to, and shall be administered, a chemical test or tests of his blood, urine, or other bodily substances for the purpose of determining the presence of any drug, combination of drugs, or any other impairing substance, under any of the following circumstances:

(1) A fatality occurs.

(2) It is foreseeable that a citation for a traffic violation or an arrest is imminent and the investigating officer finds that a bodily injury occurred that is rated as "suspected serious injury" on the Uniform Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Report.

(3) The operator voluntarily agrees to submit to a chemical test.

(4) A search warrant is issued, ordering the collection and testing of any bodily substance for purposes of this Section.

B. The test or tests required pursuant to Subsection A of this Section shall be administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer having reasonable grounds to believe the person to have been operating or in actual physical control of a motor vehicle upon the public highways of this state which is involved in a collision or crash or to have been operating or in physical control of a watercraft on the waterways of this state involved in a collision, crash, or other casualty in which a suspected serious injury or a fatality occurs, in order to determine the presence of any drug, combination of drugs, or any other impairing substance. The law enforcement agency by which such officer is employed shall designate in writing under what conditions the test or tests shall be administered.

C. In the case of all traffic or boating fatalities, the coroner or his designee shall perform or cause to be performed a toxicology screen on the deceased victim or victims for determining evidence of the presence of any drug, combination of drugs, or any other impairing substance which shall include the extracting of all bodily substance samples necessary for such toxicology screen. The coroner or his designee shall be responsible for ensuring that the body is not removed from his custody until such time as the bodily substance samples are extracted. The coroner's report shall be made available to the investigating law enforcement agency and may be admissible in any court of competent jurisdiction as evidence of the presence of any drug, combination of drugs, or any other impairing substance at the time of the fatality. Nothing in this Subsection shall be construed to limit the authority of the investigating law enforcement agency from conducting an investigation of the accident scene concurrently with the coroner or his designee.

D. Any chemical test or tests of a person's blood, urine, or other bodily substance for the purpose of determining the presence of any drug, combination of drugs, or any other impairing substance shall be administered in the same manner and subject to the provisions of Part XIV of this Chapter.

E. For the purposes of this Section, "suspected serious injury", as provided for in the Fourth Edition of the Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria Guideline, means any injury other than fatal which results in any of the following:

(1) Severe laceration resulting in exposure of underlying tissues, muscle, or organs, or resulting in a significant loss of blood.

(2) Broken or distorted extremity.

(3) Crush injuries.

(4) Suspected skull, chest, or abdominal injury other than bruises or minor lacerations.

(5) Significant burns.

(6) Unconsciousness when taken from the crash scene.

(7) Paralysis.

F. Neither the law enforcement officer nor the law enforcement agency employing the law enforcement officer shall be liable, civilly or criminally, for any action or omission taken in response to this Section.

G. This Section shall be known and may be cited as "Katie Bug's Law".

H. As used in this Section, the term "drug" means any substance or combination of substances that, when taken into the human body, may impair the ability of the person to operate a vehicle safely.

Acts 2006, No. 523, §1; Acts 2009, No. 5, §1; Acts 2019, No. 408, §1, eff. June 20, 2019; Acts 2024, No. 662, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:351 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 351
Horns and warning devices
Status: in_force

A.(1) Every motor vehicle when operated upon a highway of this state shall be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than two hundred feet, but no horn or other warning device shall emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle. The driver of a motor vehicle shall, when reasonably necessary to ensure safe operation, give audible warning with his horn, but shall not otherwise use such horn when upon a highway of this state.

(2) Persons with mobility impairments, while operating a motor vehicle upon any state or local highway of this state, may utilize the horn of such vehicle if the nature of the operator's physical impairment requires use of the horn in a situation other than one required to ensure safe operation of the motor vehicle and the operator is operating a motor vehicle with a mobility impairment license plate or the operator has been issued a mobility impairment hang tag.

B. No vehicle shall be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a vehicle any siren, whistle or bell, except as otherwise permitted in this Section.

C. It is permissible but not required that any commercial vehicle be equipped with a theft alarm signal device which is so arranged that it cannot be used by the driver as an ordinary warning signal.

D. Any authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than five hundred feet and of a type approved by the commissioner, but such siren shall not be used except when such vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call or in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, in which events the driver of the vehicle shall sound the siren when reasonably necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers of the approach thereof. However, motor vehicles which are owned and operated by members of nonprofit corporations as provided in R.S. 12:201 et seq. and which are tax exempt in accordance with Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, for exhibition in shows, parades, tours, and other special uses and not for general transportation may be equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of up to five hundred feet but such sound equipment shall not be used except when such vehicle is participating in shows, parades, tours, and other special events.

Acts 1962, No. 310, §1. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 113, §1, eff. June 22, 1977; Acts 1995, No. 56, §1; Acts 2006, No. 488, §1; Acts 2014, No. 811, §16, eff. July 23, 2014.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:523 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 523
Record of sales proceedings to be kept for year
Status: in_force

The person obtaining the sale of a motor vehicle under R.S. 32:521 shall keep a record of all proceedings of all sales made thereunder for a period of one year after the sale.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:447 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 447
Rules and regulations
Status: in_force

The commissioner shall adopt rules and regulations not inconsistent with this Part in order to fully effectuate the purpose and intent hereof.

Added by Acts 1975, No. 641, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:692 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 692
Creation; membership; salary
Status: in_force

A. The Louisiana Trucking Research and Education Council, hereinafter referred to as the "council", is hereby created as a political subdivision of the state with its domicile as Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The council is hereby declared to be a body corporate and public and shall be composed of thirteen members to serve terms concurrent with the governor as follows:

(1) The Louisiana Motor Transport Association, Incorporated shall submit the names of twelve trucking industry representatives and the governor shall appoint eight persons from those nominees.

(2) The superintendent of the Louisiana State Police, or his designee.

(3) The state superintendent of education, or his designee.

(4) The secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, or his designee.

(5) The president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, or his designee.

(6) The secretary of Louisiana Works, or his designee.

B. The members of the council shall meet and organize immediately following their appointment, and shall elect a chairman, vice chairman, and a secretary-treasurer from the trucking industry representative members of the council, whose duties shall be those customarily exercised by such offices or specifically designated by the council. The council may disqualify any appointed member for cause, including excessive absences from council meetings. If any council member is disqualified or resigns, the vacancy shall be filled by a majority vote of the council from a list of two names submitted by the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, Incorporated.

C. Council members shall not receive a salary for their services as members, but shall be reimbursed for actual travel expenses. The reimbursement shall be paid from funds available to the council.

D. The council shall establish rules and regulations for its own government and the administration of its affairs.

E. The council created by this Part shall be subject to the Public Records Law, R.S. 44:1 et seq., and the Open Meetings Law, R.S. 42:11 et seq., of the state.

Acts 2019, No. 314, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:47 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 47
Use of speed recording devices; restrictions
Status: in_force

A. Automated speed enforcement devices or mobile speed cameras that are used to issue a citation of an alleged violation by mail shall only be used by local municipal authorities or local parish authorities in the following instances:

(1) The device or camera is being operated by a trained member of law or traffic enforcement that are sworn or P.O.S.T.-certified. Deputized agents, contractors, subcontractors of an agency, office, local municipality, local authority, or any political subdivision of this state are strictly prohibited from operating handheld or manned devices for the purpose of issuing a citation violation by mail.

(2) The device or camera is in a school zone lawfully posted in accordance with this Subsection.

(3) There are forty-eight-inch by forty-eight-inch signs, the bottom of which shall be at least seven feet from the ground, indicating that a device or camera is present, no less than five hundred feet and no more than one thousand feet before the device or camera, in a manner as to be clearly visible to approaching traffic. The signs shall be bright yellow and shall read "Photo enforcement devices at use".

(4) Upon the entrance to each school zone, there shall be painted a two- foot-wide yellow stripe completely across the roadway with "Entering School Zone" painted in twelve-inch white lettering visible therein.

(5) Two hundred feet before the entrance to each school zone, there shall be painted a two-foot-wide yellow stripe completely across the roadway with "School Zone Ahead" painted in twelve-inch white lettering visible therein.

(6) Local municipal authorities or local parish authorities shall post signs, indicating that an automated speed enforcement device camera is present, within two hundred feet of the school zone, in such a manner as to be clearly visible to traffic approaching the school zone.

(7)(a) If a device or camera is used while in an authorized vehicle, the authorized vehicle shall be clearly marked as a law enforcement vehicle.

(b) If a device or camera is used by a traffic or law enforcement officer while not in a vehicle, the officer shall wear a reflective vest, clearly indicating that the officer is law enforcement or that the officer is conducting speed enforcement measures.

B. Criminal fines or fees shall not be imposed as a result of automated speed enforcement devices or mobile speed cameras for the purpose of issuing a citation violation by mail, nor shall failure to pay the citation result in reporting to any credit bureaus.

C. In addition to any other remedy provided by law, the use of handheld, manned, or unmanned automated speed enforcement devices or mobile speed cameras that can be mounted in a vehicle or deployed at various locations to monitor and record the speed of passing traffic for the purpose of issuing a citation of an alleged violation by mail intentionally inconsistent with R.S. 32:43 et seq. shall be punishable as provided for in R.S. 14:134.

Acts 2024, No. 103, §1, eff. May 21, 2024; Acts 2025, No. 107, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:453 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 453
Licensing requirements; exemptions
Status: in_force

No vehicle which has been registered and licensed as a street rod pursuant to this Section and to R.S. 47:463.12 shall be subject to the regular motor vehicle licensing requirements.

Added by Acts 1980, No. 587, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:1728 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 1728
Disposal of a stored motor vehicle
Status: in_force

A.(1) After forty-five days from the original date of storage or adjusted storage date, if applicable, the storage or parking facility owner shall send a final notice by certified mail, electronic return receipt, which shall comply with the notice requirements of R.S. 32:1720 to the stored vehicle's owner and to the holder of any lien on the stored vehicle. This notice shall apply to any vehicle that is five years old or newer and shall apply only to a vehicle that was a non-consensual tow or non-consensual storage as defined in R.S. 32:1713. Any notice relating to a consensual tow or consensual storage shall require a certificate of mailing as evidence the notice was sent.

(2) After forty-five days from the original date of storage or adjusted storage date, if applicable, the storage or parking facility owner shall send a final notice by mail with a certificate of mailing which shall comply with the notice requirements of R.S. 32:1720 to the stored vehicle's owner and to the holder of any lien on the stored vehicle. This notice shall apply to any vehicle that is over five years old.

(3) The final notice shall inform the stored vehicle's owner that unless he pays all outstanding charges and claims the vehicle or makes arrangements with the storage or parking facility owner for the continued storage of the vehicle, the storage or parking facility owner may apply for a permit to sell or permit to dismantle from the department after fifteen days from the date the final notice is mailed to the stored vehicle's owner. The notice shall also inform the stored vehicle's owner of the provisions in R.S. 32:1730 and that they may be turned over to collections for failure to pay outstanding charges and claims. The towing, storage, or parking facility shall not charge for storage past the ninetieth day from the original date of storage, or the adjusted storage date, if applicable. The storage or parking facility owner may continue to charge storage up to the ninetieth day, or until the permit to sell has been issued, if the application for the permit to sell was submitted prior to the ninetieth day from the original date of storage or the adjusted storage date, if applicable.

B, C. Repealed by Acts 2001, No. 1097, §2.

D. Prior to issuance of the permit to sell or permit to dismantle, the storage or parking facility owner shall provide the department with the following evidence:

(1) A copy of the original report of the stored vehicle including owner and lienholder information furnished by the department or its authorized agent.

(2) A copy of the first and final notices sent to the owner of the stored vehicle and to the holder of any lien on the stored vehicle.

(3) The original certificate of mailing for the first notice and the certified mail, electronic return receipt, if applicable, for the final notice sent to the stored vehicle's owner and to the holder of any lien on the stored vehicle and the returned unopened envelope, if applicable, for the first and final notices with postal markings indicating the post office's attempt to deliver the notices. If these items cannot be furnished, other documented proof that the storage or parking facility owner sent notice to the stored vehicle's owner shall be submitted to the department.

(4) An appraisal based on the most recent National Automobile Dealers Association Guide. An original appraisal prepared by an independent appraiser, which shall contain the year, make, model, and vehicle identification number, shall be acceptable for vehicles not valued by the National Automobile Dealers Association Guide.

(5) A photograph of the vehicle in its current condition.

(6) If the department requires an affidavit of physical inspection of the stored vehicle, it shall be completed by a Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certified law enforcement officer, who has been trained and certified by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of state police, to inspect vehicles to be crushed or dismantled.

E. Repealed by Acts 2001, No. 1097, §2.

F. Repealed by Acts 1993, No. 412, §2.

Acts 1989, No. 522, §1; Acts 1992, No. 221, §1; Acts 1993, No. 412, §2; Acts 2001, No. 1097, §§1 and 2; Acts 2010, No. 839, §1; Acts 2012, No. 806, §1; Acts 2014, No. 19, §1; Acts 2021, No. 206, §1, eff. June 11, 2021.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:56 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 56
Obedience to police officers, weights and standards police officers, and traffic signs
Status: in_force

A. No person shall fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of any police officer or weights and standards police officer invested by law with authority to direct, control, or regulate traffic.

B. No person shall fail or refuse to comply with the instruction or direction of any traffic control device which has been erected under authority of this Chapter or other law of this state.

Acts 1962, No. 310, §1. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 113, §1, eff. June 22, 1977.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:295 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 295
Child passenger restraint system
Status: in_force

A. Except as provided in Subsections C, D, and E of this Section, every driver in this state who transports a child or children under the age of eighteen years in a motor vehicle that is in motion and is required by federal safety standards to be equipped with a safety belt system or lower anchors and tethers for children in a passenger seating position shall have the child properly restrained according to the vehicle and child safety seat manufacturer's instructions, as follows:

(1) A child who is younger than the age of two years shall be restrained in a rear-facing child restraint system that complies with all applicable federal regulations until the child reaches the weight or height limit of the child restraint system as set by the manufacturer.

(2) A child who is at least two years of age or older and has reached the rear-facing weight or height limits of the child restraint system as set by the manufacturer, shall be restrained in a forward-facing child restraint system with an internal harness until the child reaches the weight or height limit of the child restraint system set by the manufacturer.

(3) A child who is at least four years of age and has outgrown the forward-facing weight or height limits of the child restraint system as set by the manufacturer shall be restrained in a belt-positioning child booster seat, secured with a vehicle lap-shoulder seat belt, according to the manufacturer's instructions.

(4) A child who is at least nine years of age or has outgrown the height or weight limits of a child restraint system or belt-positioning child booster seat as set by the manufacturer shall be restrained with the motor vehicle's adult safety belt adjusted and fastened around the child's body to fit correctly. The adult safety belt fits correctly when the child sits all the way back against the vehicle seat, the child's knees bend over the edge of the vehicle seat, the belt fits snugly across the child's thighs and lower hips, and not the child's abdomen, and when the shoulder strap snugly crosses the center of the child's chest and not the child's neck.

(5) A child who is younger than thirteen years of age shall be transported in the rear seat of a motor vehicle, when available, in a properly used child restraint system, belt-positioning child booster seat, or adult safety belt that complies with all applicable federal regulations.

(6) A child who because of age or weight can be placed in more than one category shall be placed in the more protective category.

B.(1) The term "motor vehicle" as used in this Section shall not mean the following: bicycle; farm tractor; motorcycle or motor-driven cycle; truck of manufacturer's rating carrying capacity of over two thousand pounds; ambulance or other emergency vehicle; school bus as defined in R.S. 32:1(62)(a) and (b); church bus, private bus, or recreational vehicle which has a passenger capacity of over ten persons; or commercial truck, van, or taxi.

(2) The term "child restraint system" as used in this Section shall mean a lap belt, a shoulder harness, or an age- or size-appropriate child safety seat as required by this Section.

(3) The term "child booster seat" as used in this Section means a child passenger restraint system that meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards set forth in 49 CFR 571.213 and is designed to elevate a child to properly sit in a federally approved safety belt system.

C. When the vehicle is equipped with a passenger side air bag supplemental restraint system and the air bag system is activated, the driver of a vehicle transporting a child who is younger than six years of age or weighs less than sixty pounds shall transport the child in the rear seat positions in the vehicle, if rear seats are available.

D. When the number of children under the age of thirteen in the motor vehicle exceeds the number of age- or size-appropriate passenger restraint systems and seat belts available in the motor vehicle, the unrestrained children shall be seated in a rear seat, if rear seats are available.

E. The provisions of this Section shall not apply when one of the following conditions exists:

(1) The motor vehicle is being used as an ambulance or other emergency vehicle.

(2) An emergency exists which threatens the life of any person operating a motor vehicle to whom this Section otherwise would apply or the life of any child who otherwise would be required to be restrained under this Section.

(3) Any child who would otherwise be required to be restrained under this Section who is physically unable because of medical reasons to use a child passenger safety system or safety belt.

F. In no event shall failure to wear a child passenger safety seat system be considered as comparative negligence, nor shall such failure be admissible as evidence in the trial of any civil action with regard to negligence, nor shall such failure be considered a moving violation.

G. Any operator of a motor vehicle stopped for a violation of this Section and against whom enforcement action has been taken shall not be guilty of a subsequent violation of this Section until after twenty-four hours have elapsed from the date and time of the violation as indicated on the traffic ticket.

H. A violation of this Section involving failure to secure a child in any type of child restraint system shall be a primary offense. However, failure to secure a child in the age- or size-appropriate restraint, as specified by Subsection A of this Section, shall be a secondary offense and a driver may be cited only if stopped for a moving violation.

I.(1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary and except as provided by Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, any person who violates this Section shall upon conviction be fined one hundred dollars for a first offense, not less than two hundred fifty dollars and not more than five hundred dollars for a second offense, and five hundred dollars plus all costs of court for a third or subsequent offense.

(2) Any person who violates this Section but whose violation is limited to failure to utilize an age- or size-appropriate child restraint system to secure an otherwise restrained child shall not be fined more than one hundred dollars including fees and court costs.

J. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall initiate an educational program designed to encourage compliance with the child passenger restraint system requirements of this Section.

Acts 1984, No. 156, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1037, §1, eff. July 1, 1997; Acts 2003, No. 1238, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004; Acts 2008, No. 300, §1, eff. June 1, 2009; Acts 2009, No. 224, §1, eff. June 1, 2009; Acts 2019, No. 51, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:210.7 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 210.7
Insurance
Status: in_force

A business entity that operates a personal delivery device under this Subpart shall maintain an insurance policy that includes general liability coverage of not less than one hundred thousand dollars, for damages arising from the operation of the personal delivery device.

Acts 2021, No. 214, §1, eff. June 11, 2021.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:266 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 266
Enforcement of speed limit on certain highways; disposition of fines
Status: in_force

A. For purposes of this Section, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

(1) "Interstate highway" means a fully controlled access highway which is part of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways.

(2) "Local law enforcement body" means any law enforcement body seated in a jurisdiction that is not governed by a home rule charter and has the authority to write civil or criminal traffic citations within that area and all the agents or contractors thereof.

B.(1) After deposit to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund as required under the provisions of Article VII, Section 9(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana, all fines or penalties collected by or on behalf of a local law enforcement body for citations issued for exceeding the posted speed limit by less than ten miles per hour on an interstate highway, shall be forwarded to the state treasurer and credited to a special fund which is hereby created in the state treasury and designated as the "Louisiana Highway Safety Fund."

(2) The monies in the Louisiana Highway Safety Fund shall be used solely to fund the costs to purchase and install permanent radar speed displays on interstate highways and only in the amounts appropriated each year to the Department of Transportation and Development by the legislature. Any surplus monies and interest remaining to the credit of the fund on June thirtieth of each year after all such appropriations of the preceding fiscal year have been made shall remain to the credit of the fund, and no part thereof shall revert to the state general fund.

Acts 2009, No. 188, §1; Acts 2010, No. 806, §1, eff. July 1, 2010.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:1472 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 1472
Habitual offender defined
Status: in_force

A. A "habitual offender" shall be any person, resident or non-resident, whose record, as maintained in the office of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, shows that such person has accumulated ten or more convictions of separate and distinct offenses, committed within three years of the date on which the last offense is committed, involving moving violations, singularly or in combination, in the operation of a motor vehicle which are required to be reported to the department. However, when more than one included offense is committed within a twelve-hour period, such multiple offenses shall be treated for the purposes of this Chapter as one offense.

B. The offenses included in Subsection A shall be deemed to include offenses under any federal law, any law of another state or any valid town, city or county ordinance of another state substantially conforming to the aforesaid state statutory provision.

C. For the purpose of this Chapter, the term "conviction" means a final conviction. Also for the purpose of this Section, a forfeiture of bail or collateral deposited to secure a defendant's appearance in court, which forfeiture has not been vacated or a plea of nolo contendere shall be equivalent to a conviction.

Added by Acts 1972, No. 697, §1. Amended by Acts 1978, No. 310, §1; Acts 1983, No. 621, §1; Acts 1986, No. 398, §1; Acts 1990, No. 933, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:1270.34 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 1270.34
Manufacturer's duty to repair; nonconformity
Status: in_force

If a new recreational vehicle does not conform to the manufacturer's express warranty, and the consumer reports the nonconformity to the manufacturer, or any of its authorized recreational vehicle dealers, and makes the recreational vehicle available for repair before the expiration of the warranty, or not later than one year after the date of original delivery of the recreational vehicle to the consumer, the manufacturer, its agent, or its authorized dealer shall make repairs that are necessary to conform the vehicle to the manufacturer's express warranty, notwithstanding the fact that the repairs are made after the expiration of the warranty term or the one-year period.

Acts 2021, No. 220, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:232 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 232
Traffic-control signals
Status: in_force

Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic-control signals exhibiting different colored lights, or colored lighted arrows, successively one at a time or in combination, only the colors green, red, and yellow shall be used, except for special pedestrian signals carrying a word legend, and said lights shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians as follows:

(1) GREEN indication:

(a) Vehicular traffic facing a circular green signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits either such turn. But vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning right or left, shall stop and yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time such signal is exhibited.

(b) Vehicular traffic facing a green arrow signal, shown alone or in combination with another indication, may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by such arrow, or such other movement as is permitted by other indications shown at the same time. Such vehicular traffic shall stop and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

(c) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal as provided in R.S. 32:233, pedestrians facing any green signal, except when the sole green signal is a turn arrow, may proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.

(2) Steady YELLOW indication:

(a) Vehicular traffic facing a steady yellow signal alone is thereby warned that the related green signal is being terminated or that a red signal will be exhibited immediately thereafter and such vehicular traffic shall not enter the intersection when the red signal is exhibited.

(b) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal as provided in R.S. 32:233 a pedestrian facing a steady yellow signal is thereby advised that there is insufficient time to cross the roadway before a red signal is exhibited and no pedestrian shall then start to cross the roadway.

(3) Steady RED indication:

(a) Vehicular traffic facing a steady circular red signal alone shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, or if none, then before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown except as provided in Subparagraph (c) of this Paragraph.

(b) Vehicular traffic facing a steady red arrow signal shall not enter the intersection to make the movement indicated by the arrow and, unless entering the intersection to make a movement permitted by another signal, shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, or if none, then before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain standing until an indication permitting the movement indicated by such red arrow is shown except as provided in Subparagraph (c) of this Paragraph.

(c) Except when a sign prohibits a turn, vehicular traffic facing any steady red signal may cautiously enter the intersection to turn right, or to turn left from a one-way street into a one-way street, or to U-turn at a signalized U-turn after stopping as required by Subparagraph (a) or Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph. Such vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

(d) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal as provided in R.S. 32:233, a pedestrian facing a steady circular red or red arrow signal shall not enter the roadway.

(e) Notwithstanding any provision contained in this Section to the contrary, for red indications or signal infractions, if the violation results in the injury of another person, the offender shall be fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars and may be subjected to a driver's license suspension for a period of ninety days, or both.

(f) If the violation results in the serious bodily injury of another person, the offender shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars, imprisoned for not more than six months, or both. The offender may also be subjected to a driver's license suspension for a period of one hundred eighty days.

(g) If the violation results in the death of another person, the offender shall be fined not less than one thousand dollars nor more than five thousand dollars, imprisoned for not more than one year, or both. The offender may also be subjected to a driver's license suspension for a period of up to three hundred sixty-five days.

(4) Flashing YELLOW indication. When a flashing yellow arrow indication is activated, vehicular traffic, on an approach to an intersection, facing a flashing yellow arrow signal indication, displayed alone or in combination with another signal indication, is permitted to cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by such arrow. In addition, vehicular traffic facing a flashing yellow arrow, turning left or making a U-turn to the left shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles approaching from the opposite direction. Such vehicular traffic, including vehicles making a U-turn, shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within the associated crosswalk, and to other vehicles lawfully within the intersection.

(5) In the event an official traffic-control signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of this Section shall be applicable except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. Any stop required shall be made at a sign or marking on the pavement indicating where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of any such sign or marking, the stop shall be made at the signal.

Acts 1962, No. 310, §1. Amended by Acts 1976, No. 152, §1; Acts 1978, No. 551, §1; Acts 2011, No. 244, §1; Acts 2013, No. 43, §1, eff. May 29, 2013; Acts 2024, No. 269, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:707.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 707.1
Deceased persons; titles to vehicles
Status: in_force

A. The office of motor vehicles shall establish a procedure by which surviving spouses, heirs, and legatees of deceased persons may obtain title to a vehicle or vehicles which is, or are, titled in the name of the deceased person.

B. The procedure established under the provisions of this Section shall contain but shall not be limited to the following provisions:

(1) Any person who has an ownership interest in a vehicle which is titled in the name of a deceased person may apply for a title to the vehicle.

(2) The applicant shall attach to the application a copy of the death certificate of the deceased person, or other proof of death acceptable to the office of motor vehicles.

(3) The applicant shall attach to the application either a copy of the will, if any, which was executed by the deceased person or a notarized statement summarizing the disposition of vehicles contained in the will.

(4) The applicant shall attach to the application the title and the registration certificate of the vehicle, if available. If the title or registration certificate is not available, the applicant shall include a declaration of that fact in the affidavit executed by the applicant under Paragraph (5) of this Subsection.

(5) The applicant and each other person who has an ownership interest in the vehicle shall execute an affidavit which shall contain:

(a) A declaration establishing the relationship of each affiant to the deceased person.

(b) A declaration of each affiant's knowledge, or lack of knowledge, of a will executed by the deceased person.

(c) A declaration by each affiant, other than the applicant, by which the affiant donates, sells, or otherwise transfers to the applicant all ownership interest which the affiant has in the vehicle.

(6) The affidavits required by Paragraph (5) above may be executed in one or more documents. The affidavits shall be attached to the application.

(7) The office of motor vehicles may require applicants and other persons who have an ownership interest in the vehicle to provide specific information, or to make specific declarations, or to submit copies of specific documents in connection with applications for titles under the provisions of this Section. The information, declarations, or documents of this Paragraph shall be limited to information, declarations, and documents which are necessary to insure the integrity of the title to the vehicle.

C. The office of motor vehicles shall adopt administrative rules to implement the provisions of this Section. The rules shall be adopted in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act.

Acts 1992, No. 992, §1, eff. July 9, 1992.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:603 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 603
Contract provisions
Status: in_force

All such contracts of insurance shall contain a clause whereby the insurance companies issuing said insurance shall not assert as a defense to any suit against them, the governmental immunity of such school board, levee board or other public body.

Acts 1950, No. 35, §3.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:198 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 198
Operating motorized bicycles
Status: in_force

A motorized bicycle shall only be operated upon the roadway of the highways of this state by a person fifteen years of age or older who possesses a valid Louisiana driver's license and shall not be operated upon sidewalks or interstate highways.

Added by Acts 1977, No. 113, §1, eff. June 22, 1977.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:301 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 301
When lighted lamps are required
Status: in_force

A. Every vehicle upon a highway within this state shall display lighted lamps and illuminating devices as hereinafter respectively required for different classes of vehicles subject to exception with respect to parked vehicles at any of the following times:

(1) At any time between sunset and sunrise.

(2) When, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernable at a distance of five hundred feet ahead.

(3) When moisture in the air or precipitation necessitates the continuous use of windshield wipers.

(4) While driving in a tunnel.

B. Any person found in violation of Subsection A of this Section may be fined not more than twenty-five dollars. No court costs shall be assessed in addition to the fine authorized by this Section. Violations of the provisions of this Section shall not be considered moving violations.

Acts 1962, No. 310, §1; Acts 1997, No. 381, §1; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 118, §1, eff. May 5, 1998; Acts 2012, No. 379, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:1270.40 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 1270.40
Notification of nonconformity remedy; dealer responsibility
Status: in_force

Prior to or during the delivery of the recreational vehicle to the consumer, the dealer shall inform the consumer in writing of the remedy for a nonconformity defect as provided in this Part.

Acts 2021, No. 220, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:416 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 416
Unlawful operation by persons under the age of seventeen; parents responsible
Status: in_force

No person shall cause or knowingly permit his child or ward, under the age of seventeen years, to drive a motor vehicle or a power cycle upon any public road or highway unless such child or ward is licensed by the state to do so. However, the provisions of this Section shall not apply to a minor who is participating in a driver education course or a prelicensing training course approved and certified by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, public safety services.

Acts 1992, No. 382, §1, eff. July 1, 1993; Acts 1997, No. 725, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 2006, No. 650, §2; Acts 2007, No. 127, §1, eff. June 25, 2007; Acts 2011, No. 294, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:726 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 726
Destruction or alteration of distinguishing number or mark
Status: in_force

A. No person shall with fraudulent intent deface, destroy or alter the manufacturer's serial or engine number or other distinguishing number or identification mark of a motor vehicle nor shall any person place or stamp any serial, engine, or other number or mark upon a motor vehicle, except one assigned thereto by the commissioner. Any violation of this provision is a misdemeanor.

B. This section shall not prohibit the restoration by an owner of an original serial, engine, or other number or mark when such restoration is made under permit issued by the commissioner, nor prevent any manufacturer from placing in the ordinary course of business numbers or marks upon motor vehicles or parts thereof.

Acts 1950, No. 342, §29.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:1260 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 1260
Penalties; other relief
Status: in_force

A.(1) No civil penalty imposed for the violation of the provisions of this Chapter or the rules and regulations of the commission shall exceed five thousand dollars for each day such violation continues.

(2) On a second or subsequent violation, no civil penalty imposed shall exceed ten thousand dollars for each day such second or subsequent violation continues.

(3) In order to constitute a second or subsequent violation there must occur a lapse of at least one day following the first or previous violation.

(4) Any civil penalty imposed by the commission may, in the discretion of the commission, be suspended in whole or in part.

(5) No civil penalty imposed for the negligent filing or the untimely updating of information as required under the provisions of this Chapter or under the rules and regulations of the commission shall exceed one hundred dollars per day.

B.(1) In addition to the penalties provided under this Chapter, the commission is expressly empowered and authorized to order the renewal or reinstatement, as the case may be, of any franchise of a licensee which, after following the procedures under this Chapter, is found by the commission to have been unfairly cancelled or not renewed due to lack of just provocation or cause.

(2) The commission's authority to order a renewal or reinstatement, as the case may be, shall be consistent with the terms of the unfairly canceled franchise agreement.

(3) The commission shall order the renewal for an additional full franchise term or reinstatement for the remaining term of the franchise, as the case may be, under the franchise agreement.

(4) In addition to the penalties provided under this Chapter, the commission is expressly empowered and authorized, after following the procedures of this Chapter, to order the issuance of a franchise to a qualified transferee, whose application for transfer, sale, or exchange has been unreasonably withheld by a manufacturer, distributor, or converter and who meets the criteria generally applied by the manufacturer in approving new motor vehicle or specialty vehicle dealers and who agrees to be bound by all the terms and conditions of the standard franchise.

C. The commission may render judgment for costs, or any part thereof, against any party to proceedings held or court reporter fees, commission attorney fees, the mileage and per diem of the commissioners, and other applicable and reasonable costs.

D. If the commission finds that it is necessary and appropriate for the protection of prospective motor vehicle or specialty vehicle dealers, because a distributor has failed to demonstrate that adequate arrangements have been made to fulfill the distributor obligations under the franchise to provide motor vehicles, equipment, signage, or other items included in the franchise, the commission may by order require the escrow of all fees, deposits, and other funds paid by the motor vehicle or specialty vehicle dealer until such obligations have been satisfied.

E. In addition to the penalties provided pursuant to this Chapter, the commission is expressly empowered and authorized, after following the procedures of this Chapter, to order the repurchase of all vehicles, signs, special tools, and automotive equipment and pay the costs to the licensee for the cost of transporting, handling, packing, and loading of vehicles, parts, signs, tools, and equipment subject to the repurchase requirements of R.S. 32:1268.

F. Upon the failure of any person to comply with any order of the commission issued as a result of a violation of this Chapter, or a rule or regulation adopted by the commission, the commission is authorized to file civil proceedings to enforce its order in the Twenty-Fourth Judicial District Court for the parish of Jefferson by rule to show cause conducted pursuant to the relevant provisions of the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure. The commission shall be entitled to recover from such party all costs of the proceeding, including but not limited to court costs, discovery costs, and reasonable attorney fees incurred by the commission in enforcing its order.

Acts 1989, No. 153, §1; Acts 2003, No. 647, §1; Acts 2005, No. 500, §1, eff. July 12, 2005; Acts 2010, No. 1036, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:662.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 662.1
Admissibility
Status: in_force

In all criminal cases where intoxication is an issue, any certificate or writing made in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 32:663, including but not limited to intoxilyzer instrument recertification forms, and other certificates or writings made with respect to the chemical analyses of a person's blood, urine, breath, or other bodily substance, shall be admissible as evidence.

Acts 2004, No. 798, §1; Acts 2012, No. 262, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:713 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 713
Lost or destroyed certificate
Status: in_force

In the event of a lost or destroyed certificate of title, application shall be made to the commissioner by the owner of said vehicle in whose name the original title was issued or by the perfected lienholder holding said title for collateral for a certified copy of same upon a prescribed form duly sworn to by the owner or perfected lienholder and accompanied by a fee prescribed by this Chapter. Thereupon the commissioner shall issue a certified copy of said certificate of title to the person or perfected lienholder entitled to receive the certificate of title under the provisions of this Chapter. Said certified copy and all subsequent certificates of title issued in the chain of title originated by said certified copy shall be plainly marked across their face "duplicate copy", and any subsequent purchaser of said vehicle in the chain of title originating through such certified copy shall acquire only such rights in such vehicle as the original holder of said certified copy himself had. Any purchaser of such vehicle may at the time of such purchase require the seller of same to indemnify him and all subsequent purchasers of said vehicle against any loss which he or they may suffer by reason of any claim or claims presented upon the original certificate. In the event of the recovery of the original certificate of title by said owner or perfected lienholder, the party, shall forthwith surrender same to the commissioner for cancellation or a statement of destruction from the perfected lienholder stating the original title has been destroyed.

Acts 1950, No. 342, §16. Amended by Acts 1959, No. 121, §1; Acts 2011, No. 288, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:701 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 701
Short title
Status: in_force

This Chapter shall be known and designated as the Vehicle Certificate of Title Law.

Acts 1950, No. 342, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:407 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 407
Applications of minors; revocation; applications of persons less than twenty-one years of age
Status: in_force

A.(1) The application of any minor applying for operating privileges shall not be granted, unless it is signed by either the father or mother of the applicant, who has legal custody of the applicant, otherwise, by the tutor or other person having custody of him. However, only the domiciliary parent may sign if joint custody has been awarded. A license issued to a minor shall be issued upon compliance with the other provisions of this Chapter.

(2)(a) Upon completion of a driver's education course approved by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, public safety services, and upon passing a visual examination and a road knowledge test, including rules of the road, signs, and signals, sharing the road with motorcycles and tractor/trailer trucks, knowledge of distracted driving issues, knowledge of trailer safety, knowledge of appropriate driver conduct when stopped by a law enforcement officer, knowledge of accessible parking and access aisles, and not less than two questions relative to railroad and highway grade railroad safety, an applicant at least fifteen years of age, but less than seventeen years of age, applying for the first time may be issued a Class "E" learner's license. The license may be issued for a four-year period at the same fee as a Class "E" driver's license and must be maintained for at least one hundred eighty days, unless prior to such time the driver reaches seventeen years of age, prior to being converted to a Class "E" intermediate driver's license. The Class "E" learner's license shall authorize the holder to drive while being accompanied by a licensed parent, guardian, adult at least age twenty-one or older, or licensed sibling at least age eighteen or older.

(b) Any applicant at least sixteen years of age, but less than seventeen years of age, moving into Louisiana from another state shall be eligible for the issuance of a Class "E" intermediate driver's license provided such applicant meets all other requirements for licensure in Louisiana and furnishes the department with proof of successful completion of an equivalent driver's education course and proof of issuance of a learner's license for a minimum of one hundred eighty days, unless prior to such time the driver reaches seventeen years of age, from the state of previous residence.

(3) The Class "E" learner's license may be converted to a Class "E" intermediate license upon the applicant being at least sixteen years of age and meeting the following conditions:

(a) The applicant's parent or legal guardian shall provide a signed statement to the department attesting that the applicant has completed a minimum of fifty hours of supervised driving practice with a licensed parent, guardian, or adult at least age twenty-one or older. At least fifteen of these hours must be nighttime driving.

(b) The applicant shall pass an on-road driving skills test. An applicant may satisfy this requirement by one of the following means:

(i) The applicant passes the test administered by an employee of the department.

(ii) The applicant provides a certificate to the department from an agent or properly licensed and contracted third-party tester as provided in this Chapter.

(c) The applicant shall have held the Class "E" learner's license for at least one hundred eighty days if he is not seventeen years of age while remaining accident free, except where the licensee was not at fault, and receiving no convictions for moving violations or violations of the seat belt or curfew laws of this state or any law pertaining to drug or alcohol use, to which the applicant's parent or legal guardian shall attest by providing a signed statement to the department.

(4) The intermediate license shall restrict those under the age of seventeen from driving between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless otherwise accompanied by a licensed parent or guardian, a licensed adult at least twenty-one years of age, or a licensed sibling at least eighteen years of age. In addition to a licensed parent, sibling, or guardian, there may be other members of the licensee's immediate family in the vehicle. Unless accompanied by a licensed parent, guardian, or adult at least age twenty-one or older, an intermediate licensee may not between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. transport more than one passenger that is under twenty-one years of age and not a member of the intermediate licensee's immediate family. When the intermediate licensee is accompanied by a driver's education instructor, there may be one or more fellow driver's education students in the vehicle. The intermediate licensee shall not place the vehicle in motion until every occupant of the vehicle has been restrained by a properly fastened seat belt or other occupant restraint system unless such person is not required to be restrained pursuant to R.S. 32:295.1.

(5) Upon completing the Class "E" intermediate licensing stage, and upon demonstrating that the licensee has remained accident free, except in cases where the licensee was not at fault, has received no convictions for moving violations, and has received no convictions for violations of the seat belt or curfew laws of this state or any laws pertaining to drug or alcohol use for twelve consecutive months after being issued his intermediate license, an applicant may be issued full Class "E" driving privileges.

(6) The department may establish rules and regulations to extend the term of the intermediate license if an applicant's license has been suspended, the applicant has been placed on probation by a court due to a driving violation, or the applicant has violated any of the provisions of Paragraph (5) of this Subsection. The term of the extension of the intermediate license shall be for no less than thirty days nor more than one hundred eighty days from the end of any suspension or probation period, or from the date he would otherwise have been eligible to apply for a Class "E" permanent license in the case of a violation of Paragraph (5) of this Subsection. The applicant shall attend and successfully complete either an approved driver education course or prelicensing training course established under contract or license with the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, public safety services, regardless of any prior completion of such course, as a condition of reinstatement of the license suspended pursuant to this Paragraph. The licensee shall have the right to an administrative hearing to appeal the determination of the department to extend the applicant's intermediate license. The provisions of this Paragraph shall apply to any licensee who has not attained the age of eighteen.

B. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the department may deny the application or revoke the license of a minor upon the forwarding of a written request to the department by the parent, tutor, or other person having legal custody who has not signed the application for a license.

C. The department may promulgate rules and regulations for the enforcement and administration of this Section.

D. Beginning January 1, 2000, and thereafter, licenses issued pursuant to this Section to applicants less than twenty-one years of age shall contain a highly visible distinctive color to clearly indicate that the license has been issued to an applicant less than twenty-one years of age. The Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles, shall promulgate rules and regulations no later than December 1, 1999, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act to implement the provisions of this Section, including but not limited to the choice of color and placement on the license.

E. Repealed by Acts 2010, No. 1039, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2011.

F. Any person under eighteen years of age shall be subject to the requirements of R.S. 32:431.1.

G. In accordance with R.S. 9:2618, the department may develop a web-based application by which a minor's parent or legal guardian has the option to provide an electronic signature for all approvals, consents, or attestations required in connection with the application of a minor for any credential authorized in this Chapter which allows the operation of a motor vehicle. The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to a first or initial issuance of any license or permit under this Chapter. The first-time or initial issuance shall be an in-person transaction.

Amended by Acts 1976, No. 48, §1; Acts 1982, No. 64, §1; Acts 1984, No. 457, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1985; Acts 1986, No. 95, §1; Acts 1986, No. 558, §1; Acts 1989, No. 293, §1, eff. June 27, 1989; Acts 1989, No. 641, §1; Acts 1990, No. 962, §1, eff. July 25, 1990; Acts 1992, No. 382, §1, eff. July 1, 1993; Acts 1993, No. 382, §1, eff. July 1, 1993; Acts 1997, No. 725, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 80, §2; Acts 1999, No. 434, §1, eff. June 18, 1999; Acts 1999, No. 556, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1095, §1; Acts 2001, No. 427, §1; Acts 2001, No. 945, §1; Acts 2003, No. 732, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2004; Acts 2004, No. 216, §2; Acts 2004, No. 600, §1; Acts 2008, No. 688, §2, eff. June 1, 2009; Acts 2008, No. 768, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2009; Acts 2009, No. 224, §6; Acts 2010, No. 1039, §§1, 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2011, No. 294, §2; Acts 2011, No. 307, §1; Acts 2013, No. 62, §1; Acts 2016, No. 336, §1; Acts 2017, No. 286, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2018; Acts 2019, No. 327, §1; Acts 2020, No. 223, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2021; Acts 2023, No. 176, §1, eff. June 7, 2023.

NOTE: See Acts 2004, No. 600, §2, relative to application.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:1734 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 1734
Gate fees; other fees; excessive charges; prohibitions; cause of action
Status: in_force

A. A towing or storage company that assesses gate fees shall assess a fixed fee in an amount determined by the Public Service Commission.

B. If the towing or storage company charges a gate fee in excess of the amount fixed by the Public Service Commission, the owner of the vehicle shall have a right and cause of action to recover the amount of the excess fee, plus reasonable attorney fees, and all costs of court.

C. For the purposes of this Section, a "gate fee" shall mean a charge assessed by a towing or storage company for releasing a towed vehicle before or after normal business hours.

D. No towing or storage company shall charge a fee for the retrieval of contents from a stored or towed vehicle during normal business hours. However, a towing or storage company may charge a fee in an amount determined by the Public Service Commission for the retrieval of contents from a stored or towed vehicle at a time other than during normal business hours. If the towing or storage company charges a fee in violation of this Subsection, the owner of the vehicle shall have a right and cause of action to recover the amount of the excess fee, plus reasonable attorney fees and all costs of court.

E. For purposes of this Section, "normal business hours" of any towing or storage company shall be from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, exclusive of legal holidays.

F. The administrative and mailing fees for filing the Official Report of Stored Vehicles for in-state and out-of-state notifications shall be determined by the Public Service Commission.

Acts 1999, No. 532, §1; Acts 2001, No. 856, §1; Acts 2010, No. 837, §1; Acts 2021, No. 206, §1, eff. June 11, 2021.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:423 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 423
Restricted license
Status: in_force

A. The department upon issuing a Class "A", "B", "C", "D", and "E" license shall have authority whenever good cause appears to impose restrictions suitable to the licensee's driving ability with respect to the type of, or special mechanical control devices required on, a motor vehicle which the licensee may operate or such other restrictions applicable to the licensee as the department may determine to be appropriate to assure the safe operation of a motor vehicle by the licensee.

B. The department may either issue a special restricted license, or may set forth such restrictions upon the usual license form.

C. The department may, upon receiving satisfactory evidence of any violation of the restrictions of such license suspend or revoke the same, but the licensee shall be entitled to a hearing as upon a suspension or revocation under this Chapter.

D. No person shall operate a motor vehicle in violation of the restrictions imposed in the license issued to him.

Acts 1989, No. 293, §1, eff. June 27, 1989.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:210.5 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 210.5
Personal delivery device equipment
Status: in_force

A. A personal delivery device operated under this Subpart shall:

(1) Be equipped with a marker that clearly states the name and contact information of the owner and a unique identification number that is specific to each individual personal delivery device.

(2) Be equipped with a braking system that enables the device to come to a controlled stop.

B. A personal delivery device operated under this Subpart at night shall be equipped with lights on the front and rear of the device. The lights affixed to the personal delivery device shall be visible under normal atmospheric conditions for up to five hundred feet away from the device.

Acts 2021, No. 214, §1, eff. June 11, 2021.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:1512 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 1512
Civil penalties; assessment
Status: in_force

A. Any person who is determined by the secretary, after reasonable notice and opportunity for a fair and impartial hearing held in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, to have committed an act that is a violation of this Chapter or any regulation issued thereunder, is subject to a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars. If the violation is a continuing one, each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense.

B. In determining the amount of the penalty, the secretary shall take into account the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation; the degree of culpability of the person charged; the person's history of previous offenses and ability to pay; the effect of the penalty on the person's ability to continue to operate; and any other matters that justice requires.

C. The secretary shall assess the amount of any civil penalty by a written notice to the violator.

D. Before referral under Section 1513, the secretary may compromise any civil penalty.

E. The secretary shall not subject a person to a civil penalty for a careless handling violation as defined in R.S. 32:1520(A) when that person or his representative reports an incident involving hazardous material that does not meet the reporting criteria as set forth in R.S. 32:1510.

Added by Acts 1979, No. 83, §1. Amended by Acts 1980, No. 603, §1, eff. July 23, 1980; Acts 1982, No. 539, §1; Acts 2016, No. 632, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:897 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 897
Alternate methods of giving proof
Status: in_force

Proof of financial responsibility when required under this Chapter with respect to a motor vehicle or with respect to a person who is not the owner of a motor vehicle may be given by filing:

(1) A certificate of insurance as provided in R.S. 32:898 or 32:899, or

(2) A bond as provided in R.S. 32:903 or

(3) A certificate of deposit of money or securities as provided in R.S. 32:904 or

(4) A certificate of self-insurance, as provided in R.S. 32:1042, supplemented by an agreement by the self-insurer that, with respect to accidents occurring while the certificate is in force, he will pay the same judgments and in the same amounts that an insurer would have been obligated to pay under an owner's motor vehicle liability policy if it had been issued such a policy to said self-insurer.

No motor vehicle shall be or continue to be registered in the name of any person required to file proof of financial responsibility unless such proof shall be furnished for such motor vehicle.

Acts 1952, No. 52, §18.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:723 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 723
Stolen or embezzled vehicles; suspension of registration; lists
Status: in_force

A. The commissioner upon receiving a report of a stolen or embezzled vehicle as hereinbefore provided shall file and appropriately index the same and shall immediately suspend the registration of the vehicle so reported and shall not transfer the registration of the same until such time as it is notified in writing that such vehicle has been recovered.

B. The commissioner shall at least once each week compile and maintain at his headquarters office a list of all vehicles which have been stolen or embezzled or recovered as reported to it during the preceding week and such lists shall be open to inspection by any peace officer or other person interested in any such vehicle.

Acts 1950, No. 342, §26.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:734 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 734
Signature to documents
Status: in_force

Whenever the commissioner is required to sign any document under this Chapter he may, at his discretion, perform the act of signing in person or by duly authorized agent, and may use or cause to be used a signature machine for the purpose of affixing his signature to such documents.

Acts 1950, No. 342, §37.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:898 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 898
Certificate of insurance as proof
Status: in_force

A. Proof of financial responsibility shall be furnished by filing with the commissioner an electronic certificate of any insurance carrier duly authorized to do business in this state certifying that there is in effect a motor vehicle liability policy for the benefit of the person required to furnish proof of financial responsibility. Such electronic certificate shall give the effective date of such motor vehicle liability policy, which date shall be the same as the effective date of the certificate, and shall designate by explicit description or by appropriate reference all motor vehicles covered thereby, unless the policy is issued to a person who is not the owner of a motor vehicle.

B. No motor vehicle shall be or continue to be registered in the name of any person required to file proof of financial responsibility unless such motor vehicle is so designated in such a certificate.

Acts 1952, No. 52, §19; Acts 2012, No. 368, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:330 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 330
Selling or using lamps or equipment
Status: in_force

A. No person shall have for sale, sell, or offer for sale for use upon or as part of the equipment of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer, or for use upon any such vehicle any head lamp, auxiliary or fog lamp, rear lamp, signal lamp, or reflector, which reflector is required hereunder, or parts of any of the foregoing which tend to change the original design or performance, unless of a type which has been submitted to the commissioner and approved by him. This Section shall not apply to equipment in actual use on August 1, 1962, or replacement parts therefor.

B. No person shall have for sale, sell, or offer for sale for use upon or as a part of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer any lamp or device mentioned in this Section which has been approved by the commissioner unless such lamp or device bears thereon the trademark or name under which it is approved so as to be legible when installed.

C. No person shall use upon any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer any lamps mentioned in this Section unless said lamps mentioned in this Section are equipped with bulbs of a rated candlepower and are mounted and adjusted so as to focus and aim in accordance with instructions of the commissioner.

Acts 1962, No. 310, §1. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 113, §1, eff. June 22, 1977.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:4 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 4
Authority of departments to summon witnesses
Status: in_force

In administering laws and regulations relative to motor vehicles the secretary and the commissioner may summon witnesses in behalf of the state and may administer oaths and take testimony. They also may cause depositions to be taken and may order the production of books, papers, and documents. The fees for attendance and travel of witnesses shall be the same as for witnesses before the district courts and shall be paid by the state in the same manner as any other expenditure by the departments.

Acts 1962, No. 310, §1. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 113, §1, eff. June 22, 1977.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:210 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 210
Definitions
Status: in_force

(1) "Agent" means a director, officer, employee, or other person authorized to act on behalf of a business entity.

(2) "Business entity" means a legal entity, including a corporation, association, partnership, or sole proprietorship, that is formed for the purpose of making a profit.

(3) "Nonpedestrian area" shall consist of any divided highway, highway, roadway, or street where the posted speed limit is thirty-five miles per hour or less.

(4) "Pedestrian area" means a sidewalk, crosswalk, school crosswalk, school crossing zone, or safety zone.

(5) "Personal delivery device" means a powered device that travels at the speed of twenty miles per hour or less, is less than five hundred pounds, excluding cargo, is manufactured for transporting cargo and goods in a pedestrian area or supplementary areas, and is equipped with automated driving technology, including software and hardware, that enables the operation of the device with the remote support and supervision of a human being.

Acts 2021, No. 214, §1, eff. June 11, 2021.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:1270.12 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 1270.12
Indemnification of motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle franchised dealers
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding the terms of any franchise agreement, each manufacturer or converter shall indemnify and hold harmless its franchised motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle dealers against any judgment for damages, including but not limited to court costs and reasonable attorney fees of the motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle dealer, arising out of complaints, claims, or lawsuits including but not limited to strict liability, negligence, misrepresentation, express or implied warranty, or rescission of sale to the extent that the judgment arises out of alleged defective or negligent manufacture, assembly, or design of motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles, parts, or accessories, or other functions by the manufacturer or converter, which are beyond the control of the motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle dealer.

Acts 2012, No. 326, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:385 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 385
Farm vehicles and equipment; exemptions
Status: in_force

A.(1)(a) Farm and agricultural vehicles and equipment, except draglines and bulldozers, being operated or transported for bona fide agricultural purposes or the transportation of farm vehicles and equipment to be used for normal farm purposes by persons transporting such farm equipment or machinery, for distances not to exceed fifty miles from the point of origin, and fertilizer tending units shall be exempt from the requirements of R.S. 32:380 through 382 and, additionally, farm equipment shall be exempt from the requirements of R.S. 32:384.

(b) Trailers and semi-trailers with a gross vehicle weight rating of not more than twelve thousand pounds, when owned and used by a retail business in this state and designed and used exclusively for the purposes of pick-up or delivery of new, used, or repaired farm equipment for distances not to exceed fifty miles from the point of origin, shall be exempt from the requirements of R.S. 32:380.

(2) Vehicles being operated to transport timber cutting or logging equipment from one job site to another and the equipment being transported, when the trailer upon which the equipment is towed and the equipment are owned or leased by the same person, shall be exempt from the requirements of R.S. 32:380, 381, and 382.

(3) Such farm vehicles and vehicles transporting cutting or logging equipment may use any public highways other than those designated as part of the national system of interstate and defense highways during the period from sunrise until sunset without obtaining a special permit from the secretary, as provided in R.S. 32:387, or from any other agency or department of the state or political subdivisions, provided that such machinery or equipment being shipped by persons to be used for normal farm purposes shall be equipped with front and rear reflector lights and with a blinking hazard light clearly visible from the front and rear.

B. The provisions of R.S. 32:380, 381, and 382, relative to limitations on the width, height, and length of motor vehicles shall not apply to trucks which transport seed cotton modules or cotton from the field to the gin, or cotton seed from the gin to the mill, if the owner or operators of such trucks obtain an annual permit to be issued by the secretary for an annual fee of five dollars, according to rules and regulations to be promulgated by the secretary.

NOTE: Subsection C eff. upon exemption notification from federal Dept. of Transportation. See Acts 1991, No. 445.

C. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary, Part 393.86 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and state law as they pertain to the requirements of bumpers or devices serving similar purposes shall not apply to any vehicle transporting seed cotton modules if such vehicle was manufactured prior to September 1, 1991.

Acts 1991, No. 306, §1; Acts 1991, No. 307, §1; Acts 1991, No. 445, §1; Acts 1997, No. 113, §1; Acts 1999, No. 786, §1; Acts 2018, No. 223, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:694 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 694
Surcharge assessment; collection
Status: in_force

A. A surcharge shall be imposed and levied at the rate of fifteen dollars on truck registrations issued pursuant to R.S. 47:511 and on all Class 1 and Class 2 registration fees for trucks and trailers in excess of 23,999 pounds, pursuant to R.S. 47:462(B)(3)(a), and shall be paid in addition to and simultaneous with any annual registration or license tax, as provided in R.S. 462(B)(3)(a) and 511.

B. The surcharge shall be collected by the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles, at the issuance of any annual registration or license tax.

C. There is hereby created a statutorily dedicated fund account within the state treasury known as the "Trucking Research and Education Council Fund Account" which shall consist of those revenues derived from the surcharge collected pursuant to this Section. Monies in the fund account shall be invested in the same manner as monies in the general fund. Interest earned on the investment of monies in the fund account shall be credited to the fund account. Monies deposited into the fund account shall be categorized as fees and self-generated revenue for the sole purpose of reporting related to the executive budget, supporting documents, and general appropriation bills. Monies in the fund account shall be used as provided in Subsection D of this Section. All unexpended and unencumbered monies in this statutorily dedicated fund account at the end of the fiscal year shall remain in the account.

D. Subject to legislative appropriation, the gross amount collected shall be paid by the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles, to the council on a quarterly basis. The quarterly payments made to the council shall be made on or before the fifteenth day of the succeeding quarter and shall be accompanied by a complete audit of all funds collected.

Acts 2019, No. 314, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:786 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 786
Injunctions; cease and desist orders
Status: in_force

A. The commission is hereby authorized without cost, bond, or deposit to institute injunctive actions in courts of competent jurisdiction in the name of the state on the relation of the commission to enforce the provisions of this Chapter.

B. Any licensee or other person who violates or threatens to violate any provision of this Chapter or rule or regulation promulgated thereunder may be enjoined from committing or continuing the violation or engaging in any business for which a license has been issued under this Chapter. In addition to any other proper venue, the parish of East Baton Rouge shall constitute a proper venue for the institution by the commission of judicial actions authorized under this Chapter.

C. All costs, including reasonable attorney fees set by the court incurred by the commission, shall be borne by the person or licensee who has been so enjoined.

D.(1) If it appears to the commission at any time that a person is violating the provisions of this Chapter or any rule or order of the commission issued pursuant to this Chapter, it shall notify the person engaged in such conduct to appear and show cause why a cease and desist order should not be issued prohibiting the proscribed conduct. An interlocutory cease and desist order may be granted with or without bond or other undertaking if one or all of the following conditions exist:

(a) Such an order is necessary to the performance of the duties delegated to the commission by this Chapter or is otherwise necessary or convenient to maintaining the status quo between two or more adverse parties before the commission.

(b) A party before the commission is entitled to relief demanded of the commission, and all or part of the relief requires the restraint of some act prejudicial to the party.

(c) A person is performing or is about to perform or is procuring or allowing the performance of an act relating to the subject of a contested case pending before the commission, and the act would tend to render the commission's order in that case ineffectual.

(d) Substantial injury to the rights of a person subject to the commission's jurisdiction is threatened irrespective of any remedy at law.

(2) Interlocutory cease and desist orders shall remain in effect until vacated or until incorporated into a final commission order. Permanent cease and desist orders may be issued without regard to the enumerations in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, but only in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter pertaining to the issuance of final commission orders.

(3) Appeal of any interlocutory cease and desist order shall be made to the commission prior to seeking judicial review under the provisions of this Chapter. Appeal of a permanent cease and desist order shall be conducted pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter pertaining to judicial review of final orders.

Acts 2006, No. 440, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:151 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 151
Open roads agreement
Status: in_force

A. The Department of Transportation and Development, in partnership with the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of state police, shall develop and adopt an open roads agreement which requires only that portion of any state roadway which is necessary for the safe management and clearance of a traffic incident shall be closed. The agreement shall set forth performance standards for the response and clearance of traffic incidents and include a post-action review process to ensure that long delays in opening all lanes will be evaluated, reported, and used to improve the delivery of traffic incident management services.

B. Each agency responding to the incident shall implement training and policy enhancements to ensure that all employees are knowledgeable about the open roads agreement adopted pursuant to this Section.

C. The agreement shall be provided to each parish and municipal governing authority which may, at its discretion, adopt such agreement for the management of any incident on a local roadway. Each governing authority shall be encouraged to adopt such agreement to ensure safe and consistent management of incidents on local and state roadways throughout the state.

D. The open roads agreement required by this Section shall be completed and implemented no later than January 1, 2009.

Acts 2008, No. 429, §1, eff. June 21, 2008.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:77.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 77.1
School zones; no passing zones
Status: in_force

A. The driver of a vehicle upon a two-lane highway or street shall not overtake and pass another vehicle during posted hours within a school zone.

B. Any person who violates this Section shall be subject to the following penalties:

(1) Upon conviction for a first offense, the person shall be issued a written warning.

(2) Upon conviction for a second offense, the person shall be fined one hundred dollars.

(3) Upon conviction for a third offense, the person shall be fined two hundred fifty dollars.

Acts 2008, No. 757, §1, eff. June 1, 2009; Acts 2009, No. 224, §7, eff. June 1, 2009.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:419 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 419
Department may for cause refuse to license applicant; judicial review
Status: in_force

The department is hereby authorized to refuse to issue a license under this Chapter to any person for any cause satisfactory to said department, but the applicant for said license in such case shall have a right of action in the same manner as is provided for in R.S. 32:414 of this Chapter.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:253 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 253
Commissioner; transportation of explosives
Status: in_force

The commissioner is hereby authorized and directed to promulgate such additional regulations as to the transportation of explosives by vehicles upon the highways of this state as he shall deem advisable for the protection of the public.

Acts 1962, No. 310, §1. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 113, §1, eff. June 22, 1977.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:326 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 326
Number of driving lamps required or permitted; parking lights
Status: in_force

A. At all times specified in R.S. 32:301, at least two lighted lamps shall be displayed, one on each side at the front of every motor vehicle other than a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, except when such vehicle is parked subject to regulations governing lights on parked vehicles.

B. Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with head lamps as herein required is also equipped with any auxiliary lamps or any other lamp on the front thereof projecting a beam of intensity greater than 300 candlepower, not more than a total of four of any such lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any one time when upon a highway of this state.

C. No moving vehicle upon any public highway within this state shall be operated with only the parking lights for illumination.

Acts 1962, No. 310, §1. Amended by Acts 1964, No. 331, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:671 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 671
Responsibilities of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of state police; interstate highways
Status: in_force

The Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of state police, shall use its best efforts to respond to calls placed by motorists from call boxes located along Interstate 10 as it crosses the Atchafalaya River Basin between the West Atchafalaya Basin Protection Levee and the East Atchafalaya Basin Protection Levee, or to relay the calls to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Acts 1993, No. 122, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:320 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 320
Additional lighting equipment
Status: in_force

A. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two side or fender lamps which shall emit an amber or white light without glare.

B. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than one running board courtesy lamp on each side thereof which shall emit a white or amber light without glare.

C. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two backup lamps either separately or in combination with other lamps, but any such backup lamp shall not be lighted when the motor vehicle is in forward motion.

Backup lights are required on all passenger vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1969. The backup lamp shall be illuminated when the ignition switch is energized and reverse gear is engaged. Backup lamps shall not be lighted when the vehicle is in forward motion. Backup lamps shall be mounted on the rear so that the center of the lens, or at least one lamp is visible from any eye point elevation from at least six feet to two feet above the horizontal plane on which the vehicle is standing; and from any position in the area, rearward of a verticle plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, six feet to the rear of the vehicle and extending three feet beyond each side of the vehicle. Maximum candlepower is 300 cp total.

D. Any vehicle eighty inches or more in overall width, if not otherwise required by R.S. 32:308, may be equipped with not more than three identification lamps showing to the front which shall emit an amber light without glare and not more than three identification lamps showing to the rear which shall emit a red light without glare. Such lamps shall be mounted as specified in Subsection (F) of R.S. 32:308.

E. Any vehicle may be equipped with one or more side marker lamps and any such lamp may be flashed in conjunction with turn or vehicular hazard warning signals. Side marker lamps located toward the front of a vehicle shall be amber and side marker lamps located toward the rear shall be red.

Acts 1962, No. 310, §1. Amended by Acts 1974, No. 226, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:880 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 880
Nonresident drivers; accidents
Status: in_force

A. Whenever a nonresident driver is involved in an accident in this state and is issued a traffic citation in connection with that accident, the nonresident driver shall comply with one of the following items:

(1) Show proof of liability insurance coverage as required by law.

(2) Show proof of coverage as a self-insurer or under a self-insurance plan from the state in which he is a resident.

(3) Post a bond in an amount sufficient to cover the damage caused in the accident.

(4) Deposit his driver's license with the law enforcement agency that investigates the accident.

B. As used in this Section, the phrase "nonresident driver" means a person who operates a motor vehicle in this state and who has a foreign driver's license, or a foreign registration for the motor vehicle, or both.

C.(1) No proof of coverage as a self-insurer or under a self-insurance plan from the state in which the nonresident driver is a resident shall be valid or in compliance with the provisions of this Section unless the self-insurer or plan agrees to be subject to the following provisions regarding settlement of a claim for damages:

(a) The self-insurer or plan shall pay the amount of any claim due a claimant within thirty days after receipt of satisfactory proof of loss from the claimant or any party in interest.

(b) The self-insurer or plan shall pay the amount of any third-party property damage claim and any reasonable medical expense claim due any bona fide third-party claimant within thirty days after written agreement of settlement of the claim from the third-party claimant.

(2) Failure to make a payment within thirty days after receipt of satisfactory proof of loss as provided in Subparagraph (1)(a) of this Subsection or within thirty days after written agreement of settlement as provided in Subparagraph (1)(b) of this Subsection when the failure is found to be arbitrary, capricious, or without probable cause, shall subject the self-insurer or self-insurance plan to a penalty, in addition to the amount of the loss or settlement agreement, of fifty percent damages on the amount due or one thousand dollars, whichever is greater, payable to the respective claimant or, if a partial payment or tender has been made, fifty percent damages on the difference between the amount paid or tendered and the amount found to be due, as well as reasonable attorney fees and costs.

(3)(a) The self-insurer or self-insurance plan owes a duty of good faith and fair dealing to the injured claimant and has an affirmative duty to adjust any claim fairly and promptly and to make a reasonable effort to settle any claim with a claimant.

(b) Any self-insurer or self-insurance plan that breaches these duties shall be liable for any damages sustained as a result of the breach.

(c) Any one of the following acts, if knowingly committed or performed by a self-insurer or self-insurance plan, constitutes a breach of the insurer's duties imposed in Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph:

(i) Misrepresenting pertinent facts or insurance policy provisions relating to any coverages at issue.

(ii) Failing to pay a settlement within thirty days after an agreement is reduced to writing.

(iii) Denying coverage or attempting to settle a claim on the basis of an application that the self-insurer or self-insurance plan knows was altered without notice to, or knowledge or consent of, the claimant.

(iv) Misleading a claimant as to the applicable prescriptive period.

(v) Failing to pay the amount of any claim due a claimant within sixty days after receipt of satisfactory proof of loss from the claimant when the failure is arbitrary, capricious, or without probable cause.

(4) In addition to any general or special damages to which a claimant is entitled for breach of the imposed duty pursuant to Subparagraph (3)(a) of this Subsection, the claimant may be awarded penalties assessed against the self-insurer or self-insurance plan in an amount not to exceed two times the damages sustained or five thousand dollars, whichever is greater.

Acts 1990, No. 93, §1; Acts 2014, No. 500, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:387.23 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 387.23
Special permit; twelve percent weight variance for single unit dump trucks
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, relating only to single unit dump trucks and with no limitation as to the material being hauled, the secretary shall issue annual special permits for a fee of eight hundred dollars per truck that prohibit both gross weight and axle weight penalties for the operation of dump trucks on state-maintained highways when the total excess weight is twelve percent or less of the truck's maximum permissible gross weight as provided by law. The permit shall not authorize any truck described in this Part to exceed load posted weight limits on any bridge.

Acts 2024, No. 631, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:393 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 393
Persons charged with traffic violations; time for disposition, licenses, reports, and records to be sent to Department of Public Safety and Corrections; fee charged; record of unpaid traffic fines and parking fines
Status: in_force

A. Whenever any person is charged with a violation of any provision of this Chapter or regulation of the department disposition thereof shall be made as soon as feasibly possible.

B.(1) Whenever any person is convicted of an offense for which this Chapter makes mandatory the revocation of the license of such person, the court in which such conviction is had must require the surrender of the license then held by the person convicted and must thereupon forward the same, together with a record of the conviction, to the commissioner.

(2) Whenever the driver's license of any person is mandatorily suspended under the provisions of R.S. 32:414, the court in which the conviction is had or in which bail is forfeited shall attach the license to a record of the conviction or bail forfeiture and shall forward both to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, public safety services.

C.(1)(a) Every court in this state shall keep a full report of every case in which a person is charged with violation of any provision of this Chapter or any regulation of the department or the commissioner adopted pursuant thereto, or any law of this state or of any municipal or parish governing authority lawfully established for regulating the operation of motor vehicles on highways.

(b) If such person is convicted and sentenced thereupon, or his bail is forfeited as a result of a final judgment of forfeiture, or other final disposition be made, an abstract of the report, all parking convictions only excepted, shall be sent by the court or the district attorney, as the case may be, to the commissioner as follows:

(i) Not later than thirty days after the date of such person's conviction and sentencing thereupon, forfeiture of his bail and final judgment of forfeiture, or the final disposition of his case, if such person holds a Class "D" or "E" driver's license, or both.

(ii) In an electronic format not later than ten days after the date of such person's conviction and sentencing thereupon, forfeiture of his bail and final judgment of forfeiture, or the final disposition of his case, if such person holds a commercial driver's license or commercial driver's license permit, or both.

(iii) This report shall not be a court record.

(iv) A conviction shall be reported to the department regardless of whether the provisions of either Article 893 or 894 of the Code of Criminal Procedure are invoked.

(2) No state agency or political subdivision, nor any law enforcement agency of either, nor any officer, official, or employee thereof, shall transfer, disseminate, distribute, or otherwise communicate a record or other compilation of an individual's unpaid fines for parking violations to any credit bureau, credit information agency or bureau, or a subsidiary entity operating such a business in this state, or to a collection agency or firm. No such state agency or political subdivision, nor law enforcement agency of either, nor any officer, official, or employee thereof, shall confect, enter into, or maintain a contract or agreement to provide such a record or compilation to any credit bureau, credit information agency or bureau, or subsidiary entity, or to a collection agency or firm. State agencies, departments, political subdivisions, and any law enforcement agency may enter into a written contract with any consumer reporting agency to assist the state agency, department, political subdivision, or law enforcement agency in obtaining the most current information on an individual with an unpaid traffic fine. The state agency, department, political subdivision, or law enforcement agency shall not be provided with any information from the consumer reporting agency other than the individual's name, social security number, if available, present and previous address, phone number, and present and previous place of employment. No additional or financial information of the individual shall be provided to any state agency, department, political subdivision, or law enforcement agency unless the individual consents to the release of such information.

(3) Failure of an individual to pay fines for traffic violations shall not be reported to any consumer reporting agency and shall not appear on any consumer report for the individual unless one hundred twenty days have passed from the final disposition of the traffic fine. Final disposition shall be defined in this Paragraph as a final conviction, not capable of appeal or review, and not subject to dismissal.

D. Abstracts required by this Section shall be made on forms prepared by the commissioner and may include all necessary information as to the parties to the case, the nature of the offense, the date of hearing, the plea, the judgment, the amount of the fine or forfeiture, as the case may be, or the final disposition. When the nature of the offense is specified as speeding, the abstract shall also include a statement of the miles per hour in excess of the speed limit that the person charged was alleged to have been traveling. Every such abstract shall be certified by the judge or the clerk of such court as a true abstract of the records of the court. If the abstract is sent by the district attorney, it shall be certified by him as a true abstract of the final disposition of the case as contained or found in the files of his office.

E. Certified copies of the judgment also shall be forwarded to the commissioner upon the conviction of any person of any felony in the commission of which a vehicle was used. The commissioner shall keep these records in his office, and they shall be open to public inspection during reasonable business hours.

F.(1) For each conviction or forfeiture of bail as outlined above, a fee of two dollars shall be added to the fine of the person convicted, except in Orleans Parish where for each such conviction or forfeiture of bail a fee of ten dollars shall be added to the fine of the person convicted. This fee shall be retained by the respective court to cover the cost of preparing and submitting the abstract of the report to the commissioner.

(2) In addition to the two dollar fee provided for in Subsection F of this Section, the City Court of Bossier City is hereby authorized to collect an additional fee of one dollar for each conviction or forfeiture of bail which shall be added to the fine of the person convicted.

G. Whenever a certified statement of revocation or suspension of a driver's license from the Department of Public Safety is offered in evidence in any court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be received in evidence by such court as prima facie proof of its contents, provided that the party against whom the certificate is sought to be used may summon and examine those making the said certificate as witnesses under cross-examination.

H. Whenever any person is charged with a violation of any provision of this Chapter or regulation of the department, and the law enforcement officer issuing the citation has reason to believe that there exists a medical condition which constitutes cause for revocation or suspension under the provisions of R.S. 32:414(E), notification of such medical condition shall be made to the medical/conviction unit of the office of motor vehicles of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections at the same time and in the same manner as notification of the violation, provided that the law enforcement officer first consults with his superior officer as to his specific observations and such superior officer concurs with the issuing officer's belief.

I. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the record of a conviction for a traffic violation which is based solely on evidence from a traffic camera shall not be forwarded to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections and no record of such conviction shall be made part of any person's driving record.

Acts 1962, No. 310, §1. Amended by Acts 1966, No. 278, §1; Acts 1966, No. 443, §1; Acts 1977, No. 113, §1, eff. June 22, 1977; Acts 1978, No. 509, §1; Acts 1979, No. 687, §1, eff. July 19, 1979; Acts 1980, No. 167, §1; Acts 1983, No. 212, §1; Acts 1985, No. 798, §1; Acts 1986, No. 45, §1, eff. June 13, 1986; Acts 1988, No. 76, §1; Acts 1989, No. 643, §1; Acts 1991, No. 289, §9; Acts 1991, No. 901, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1280, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1288, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1343, §1; Acts 2001, No. 256, §1; Acts 2008, No. 435, §1; Acts 2009, No. 366, §1; Acts 2011, 1 st Ex. Sess., No. 9, §1; Acts 2013, No. 253, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:801 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 32 / Section 801
Definition
Status: in_force

As used in this Part only:

"Motor vehicle" means any motor-driven vehicle required to be registered that was used, is used, or is designed to be used for the transporting of passengers or goods for public, private, commercial, or for-hire purposes.

Acts 2006, No. 440, §1; Acts 2018, No. 435, §1, eff. May 23, 2018.