RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
Act 27 (SB 67) 2015 Regular Session White
Prior law required every person who operates a motor vehicle which is designated as being
in either Class "A", "B", "C", "D", or "E" by R.S. 32:408 to secure the appropriately
classified driver's license with all necessary endorsements before driving or operating any
such motor vehicle on any public street, road, or highway of this state.
Prior law provided that only a Class "E" operator's license is required for the following
operators:
(1)The driver is a full-time, regularly paid operator of an emergency medical vehicle
or firefighting equipment employed by the La. Department of Agriculture and
Forestry, or a municipality, parish, fire protection district, or other political
subdivision of the state, or civilian employees of the U.S. military who are required
to operate emergency vehicles and which vehicles are equipped with audible and
visual signals as required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
(2)The driver for an industrial mutual aid response team or a volunteer operator of an
emergency medical vehicle or firefighting equipment.
(3)The driver, subject to approval of the U.S. Department of Defense, is an active or
reserve member of the U.S. military or an active or reserve member of the National
Guard who is authorized to operate commercial motor vehicles or buses in the course
and scope of military duties during a gubernatorially declared state of emergency.
(4)The driver of an emergency command post vehicle which would otherwise meet the
definition of a commercial motor vehicle, and who is employed by the Governor's
Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness or a parish office of
emergency preparedness, when operating the vehicle in the course and scope of his
employment and the vehicle is equipped with audible and visual signals as required
by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
New law retains prior law but provides an additional exception in that only a Class "E"
operator's license is required for the operator of an emergency command post vehicle or
other law enforcement equipment which meets the definition of a commercial motor vehicle
and who is employed as a law enforcement officer when operating such vehicle or
equipment in the course and scope of his employment. Further requires that the vehicle or
equipment to be equipped with audible and visual signals required by the Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration.
New law provides that the exceptions requiring only a Class "E" operator's license only
apply to drivers licensed by the state of Louisiana and drivers licensed by a state with which
Louisiana has a reciprocity agreement. Further requires that the exceptions only apply to the
operation of commercial motor vehicles equipped with audible and visual signals and when
their operation is necessary for the preservation of life or property or in the execution of
emergency governmental functions.
Effective upon signature of the governor (May 29, 2015).
(Adds R.S. 32:402(C)(5) and (F))