Louisiana Teen Driving Laws: A Parent's Guide to the GDL Program

For a teenager in Louisiana, getting a driver's license is a rite of passage. For parents, it marks the beginning of a new chapter of responsibility and concern. To address this, Louisiana has a Graduated Driver License (GDL) program for all drivers under the age of 17.

These laws are not designed to be inconvenient; they are a data-driven safety system created to protect new, inexperienced drivers by limiting their exposure to the highest-risk driving scenarios. For these laws to be effective, both teens and parents must understand and enforce them as a team.

The Foundation: The Learner's Permit Phase (Age 15)

The journey begins with a learner's permit, which is all about supervised practice.

Driver's Education: To get a permit at age 15, a teen must be enrolled in a state-approved 38-hour driver education course.
Mandatory 180-Day Holding Period: A teen must hold their learner's permit for a minimum of 180 consecutive days, conviction-free, before they are eligible to take their road test.
The 50-Hour Driving Log: During this 180-day period, a parent or legal guardian must supervise and certify that the teen has completed at least 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice.
- Of these 50 hours, at least 15 hours must take place at night.
Supervision Rule: During the entire permit phase, the teen must be accompanied by a licensed parent, guardian, or an adult at least 21 years old. This supervisor must always be in the front passenger seat.

The Intermediate License (Age 16)

After successfully completing the permit phase, a teen can take the road test to earn their intermediate license. This license comes with critical restrictions.

1. Nighttime Driving Curfew

A teen with an intermediate license CANNOT drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Exception: This curfew is waived if the teen is accompanied by a licensed parent, guardian, or an adult at least 21 years old.

2. Passenger Restrictions

This is one of the most important GDL rules.

A teen with an intermediate license CANNOT transport more than one passenger under the age of 21 who is not a member of their immediate family between the hours of 6 p.m. and 5 a.m.

3. The Mobile Device Ban

This rule is simple and strict. Drivers under the age of 18 are PROHIBITED from using any cell phone or other wireless communication device while driving. The only exception is for reporting an emergency.

The Full Unrestricted License (Age 17)

At age 17, if a teen has held their intermediate license for at least 12 months, all GDL restrictions are lifted, and they can obtain a full, unrestricted license.

The Parent's Crucial Role

The GDL laws provide the legal framework, but a parent's reinforcement is what truly creates a safe driver.

Know the Rules: Be an expert on the curfew and passenger restrictions so you can enforce them correctly.
Lead by Example: Your teen learned their driving habits from watching you. Put your phone away, obey the speed limit, and always wear your seat belt.
Create a Driving Contract: A written parent-teen agreement that outlines the rules and consequences can be a powerful tool for setting expectations beyond what the law requires.

By working together, parents and teens can navigate Louisiana's GDL program, ensuring the path to driving freedom is a safe one that builds a lifetime of responsible habits.