HLS 24RS-1599 ORIGINAL
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 944
BY REPRESENTATIVE MCMAKIN
MTR VEHICLE/DRIVER LIC: Provides changes to the law regarding driver's license
renewals and tests
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 32:408(A)(1) and 412(A)(4)(a) and (b)(introductory paragraph),
3 and (7)(a) and (b), and (B)(7)(a)(i) and (ii)(introductory paragraph), (b)(i) and
4 (ii)(introductory paragraph), (c)(i) and (ii)(introductory paragraph), (d)(i) and
5 (ii)(introductory paragraph), (e)(i)(aa) and (bb)(introductory paragraph), (dd)(I) and
6 (II), (ii)(aa) and (bb), (dd)(I) and (II), and (C)(1) and (2), relative to driver's license
7 renewals and associated testing administered by the office of motor vehicles; to
8 provide for five year driver's license renewals on all classes of drivers' licenses; and
9 to provide for related matters.
10Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
11 Section 1. R.S. 32:408(A)(1) and 412(A)(4)(a) and (b)(introductory paragraph),
12(7)(a) and (b), and (B)(7)(a)(i) and (ii)(introductory paragraph), (b)(i) and (ii)(introductory
13paragraph), (c)(i) and (ii)(introductory paragraph), (d)(i) and (ii)(introductory paragraph),
14(e)(i)(aa) and (bb)(introductory paragraph), (dd)(I) and (II), (ii)(aa) and (bb), (dd)(I) and (II),
15and (C)(1) and (2) are hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
16 §408. Examination of applicants required; classes of licenses
17 A.(1) Except as otherwise provided, every applicant must pass a written
18 knowledge and skills test for a motor vehicle representative of the type of motor
19 vehicle he operates or expects to operate, or provide evidence on a form approved
20 by the department that he has successfully passed the written knowledge test and a
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HB NO. 944
1 driving or skills test administered by the office of motor vehicles an authorized third
2 party every four years a new written knowledge test shall be provided. In addition
3 to the specialized knowledge and skills tests, each such examination shall include:
4 a test of the applicant's eyesight; his ability to understand highway signs regulating,
5 warning, and directing traffic; his knowledge of railroad and highway grade crossing
6 safety; his knowledge of sharing the road with motorcycles and tractor/trailer trucks;
7 his knowledge of the economic effects of littering; his knowledge of distracted
8 driving issues; his knowledge of trailer safety; his knowledge of accessible parking
9 and access aisles; his knowledge of appropriate driver conduct when stopped by a
10 law enforcement officer; and his knowledge of all relevant traffic regulations.
11 * * *
12 §412. Amount of fees; credit or refund; duration of license; veteran designation;
13 disabled veteran designation; university logo; "I'm a Cajun" designation;
14 needs accommodation designation; autism spectrum disorder designation;
15 disbursement of funds; renewal by mail or electronic commerce of Class "D"
16 or "E" drivers' licenses; disposition of certain fees; exception
17 A.
18 * * *
19 (4)(a) A Class "D" driver's license shall expire on the anniversary of the
20 birthday of the applicant which is nearest to a period of six five years subsequent to
21 the issuing of the license, unless suspended, revoked, or canceled prior to that time.
22 (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph,
23 the department may issue the license for a period of less than six five years in
24 circumstances of medical limitation, limitation on lawful presence, or other special
25 restrictions. When the department issues a license to a properly documented alien
26 student or nonresident alien, the license shall both:
27 * * *
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HB NO. 944
1 (7)(a) A Class "E" driver's license shall expire on the anniversary of the
2 birthday of the applicant which is nearest to a period of six five years subsequent to
3 the issuing of the license, unless suspended, revoked, or canceled.
4 (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph,
5 the department may issue the license for a period of less than six five years in
6 circumstances of medical limitation, limitation on lawful presence, or other special
7 restrictions. When the department issues a license to a properly documented alien
8 student or nonresident alien, the license shall both:
9 * * *
10 B.
11 * * *
12 (7)(a)(i) A Class "C" commercial driver's license not carrying an
13 endorsement permitting the transportation of material found to be hazardous for
14 purposes of the Federal Hazardous Material Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. 5101 et
15 seq. or under state law or regulation shall expire on the anniversary of the birthday
16 of the applicant which is nearest to a date of six five years subsequent to the issuing
17 of the license, unless revoked, canceled, or suspended prior to that time.
18 (ii) Notwithstanding the provisions of Item (i) of this Subparagraph, the
19 department may issue the license for a period of less than six five years in
20 circumstances of medical limitations, limitation on lawful presence, or other special
21 restrictions. When the department issues a license to a properly documented alien
22 student or nonresident alien, the license shall both:
23 * * *
24 (b)(i) A Class "C" commercial driver's license carrying an endorsement
25 permitting the transportation of materials found to be hazardous for purposes of the
26 Federal Hazardous Material Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq. or under state
27 law or regulation shall expire on the anniversary of the birthday of the applicant
28 which is nearest to a date of six five years subsequent to the issuing of the license,
29 unless revoked, canceled, or suspended prior to that time.
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HB NO. 944
1 (ii) Notwithstanding the provisions of Item (i) of this Subparagraph, the
2 department may issue the license for a period of less than six five years in
3 circumstances of medical limitation, limitation on lawful presence, or other special
4 restrictions. When the department issues a license to a properly documented alien
5 student or nonresident alien, the license shall both:
6 * * *
7 (c)(i) A Class "B" commercial driver's license shall expire on the anniversary
8 of the birthday of the applicant which is nearest to a date of six five years subsequent
9 to the issuing of the license, unless revoked, canceled, or suspended prior to that
10 time.
11 (ii) Notwithstanding the provisions of Item (i) of this Subparagraph, the
12 department may issue the license for a period of less than six five years in
13 circumstances of medical limitation, limitation on lawful presence, or other special
14 restrictions. When the department issues a license to a properly documented alien
15 student or nonresident alien, the license shall both:
16 * * *
17 (d)(i) A Class "A" commercial driver's license shall expire on the
18 anniversary of the birthday of the applicant which is nearest to a date of six five
19 years subsequent to the issuing of the license, unless revoked, canceled, or suspended
20 prior to that time.
21 (ii) Notwithstanding the provisions of Item (i) of this Subparagraph, the
22 department may issue the license for a period of less than six five years in
23 circumstances of medical limitation, limitation on lawful presence, or other special
24 restrictions. When the department issues a license to a properly documented alien
25 student or nonresident alien, the license shall both:
26 * * *
27 (e)(i)(aa) Every applicant seventy years of age or older for a Class "E"
28 driver's license, or for the renewal of a Class "E" driver's license, except those bona
29 fide residents of the city of New Orleans, shall pay for such basic license a fee of six
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HB NO. 944
1 dollars and seventy-five cents, which shall be the cost of the license. The license
2 shall expire on the anniversary of the birthday of the applicant which is nearest to a
3 date of six five years subsequent to the issuing of the license, unless revoked,
4 canceled, or suspended.
5 (bb) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subitem (aa) of this Item, the
6 department may issue the license for a period of less than six five years in
7 circumstances of medical limitation, limitation on lawful presence, or other special
8 restrictions. When the department issues a license to a properly documented alien
9 student or nonresident alien, the license shall both:
10 * * *
11 (dd)(I) Every applicant seventy years of age or older for a Class "D" driver's
12 license, or for the renewal of a Class "D" driver's license, except those bona fide
13 residents of the city of New Orleans, shall pay for such basic license a fee of
14 twenty-two dollars and thirteen cents, which shall be the cost of the license. The
15 license shall expire on the anniversary of the birthday of the applicant which is
16 nearest to a date of six five years subsequent to the issuing of the license, unless
17 revoked, canceled, or suspended.
18 (II) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsubitem (I) of this Subitem, the
19 department may issue the license for a period of less than six five years in
20 circumstances of medical limitation, limitation on lawful presence, or other special
21 restriction. When the department issues a license to a properly documented alien
22 student or nonresident alien, the license shall both expire on the date for which the
23 alien's immigration documents expire, if sooner than the date specified in
24 Subsubitem (I) of this Subitem, and contain a restriction code which declares that the
25 license holder is an alien student or a nonresident alien.
26 * * *
27 (ii)(aa) Every applicant seventy years of age or older for a Class "E" driver's
28 license, or for the renewal of a Class "E" driver's license, issued to bona fide
29 residents of the city of New Orleans, shall pay for such basic license a fee of six
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1 dollars and seventy-five cents, which shall be the cost of the license. This license
2 shall expire on the anniversary of the birthday of the applicant which is nearest to a
3 date of six five years subsequent to the issuing of the license, unless revoked,
4 canceled, or suspended.
5 (bb) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subitem (aa) of this Item, the
6 department may issue the license for a period of less than six five years in
7 circumstances of medical limitation, limitation on lawful presence, or other special
8 restriction. When the department issues a license to a properly documented alien
9 student or nonresident alien, that license shall both expire on the date for which the
10 alien's immigration documents expire, if sooner than the date specified in Subitem
11 (aa) of this Item, and contain a restriction code which declares that the license holder
12 is an alien student or a nonresident alien.
13 * * *
14 (dd)(I) Every applicant seventy years of age or older for a Class "D" driver's
15 license, or for the renewal of a Class "D" driver's license, issued to bona fide
16 residents of the city of New Orleans, shall pay for such basic license a fee of
17 twenty-seven dollars and seventy-five cents, which shall be the cost of the license.
18 This license shall expire on the anniversary of the birthday of the applicant which is
19 nearest to a date of six five years subsequent to the issuing of the license, unless
20 revoked, canceled, or suspended.
21 (II) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsubitem (I) of this Subitem, the
22 department may issue the license for a period of less than six five years in
23 circumstances of medical limitation, limitation on lawful presence, or other special
24 restriction. When the department issues a license to a properly documented alien
25 student or nonresident alien, the license shall both expire on the date for which the
26 alien's immigration documents expire, if sooner than the date specified in
27 Subsubitem (I) of this Subitem, and contain a restriction code which declares that the
28 license holder is an alien student or a nonresident alien.
29 * * *
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HB NO. 944
1 C.(1) The addition of a motorcycle or motor scooter endorsement to a basic
2 license will require, besides the specific examination for such vehicles, the payment
3 of an additional fee of twelve dollars. If the motorcycle endorsement is to any
4 license which is valid for less than six five years, the fee for the endorsement will be
5 six dollars.
6 (2) Notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary and subject to the
7 exceptions contained in Article VII, Section 9(A) of the Constitution of Louisiana,
8 the amount of seven dollars and fifty cents from the fee for a motorcycle or motor
9 scooter endorsement to a basic license, or the amount of three dollars from the fee
10 if the motorcycle endorsement for any person is to a license that is valid for only less
11 than six five years shall be credited to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund.
12 After a sufficient amount is allocated from that fund to pay all obligations secured
13 by the full faith and credit of the state which become due and payable within any
14 fiscal years, the treasurer shall pay an amount equal to the fees paid into the Bond
15 Security and Redemption Fund pursuant to this Paragraph into a special agency
16 account which is hereby created in the state treasury and designated as the
17 "Motorcycle Safety, Awareness, and Operator Training Program Dedicated Fund
18 Account", to be referred to as the "account". The monies credited to the account
19 shall be used solely for operator training, instructor training, and motorcycle safety
20 and awareness programs. Any unexpended and unencumbered monies remaining to
21 the credit of the account on June thirtieth of each year, after all appropriations of the
22 preceding fiscal year have been made, shall revert to the state general fund. The
23 monies in the account shall be expended solely from year to year as appropriated by
24 the legislature for the purposes of motorcycle safety and awareness and operator
25 training. Any amounts earned through investment of the monies in the account shall
26 revert to the state general fund. Funding deposited into the account shall be
27 considered fees and self-generated revenues and shall be available for annual
28 appropriations by the legislature.
29 * * *
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HB NO. 944
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 944 Original 2024 Regular Session McMakin
Abstract: Changes driver's license renewals to every five years and requires a driving test
be conducted every four years by the office of motor vehicles.
Present law specifies every applicant must pass a written knowledge and skills test for a
motor vehicle representative of the type of motor vehicle he operates or expects to operate,
or provide evidence on a form approved by the department that he has successfully passed
the written knowledge test and a driving or skills test administered by an authorized third
party. Further specifies that in addition to the specialized knowledge and skills tests, each
examination include: a test of the applicant's eyesight; his ability to understand highway
signs regulating, warning, and directing traffic; his knowledge of railroad and highway grade
crossing safety; his knowledge of sharing the road with motorcycles and tractor/trailer
trucks; his knowledge of the economic effects of littering; his knowledge of distracted
driving issues; his knowledge of trailer safety; his knowledge of accessible parking and
access aisles; his knowledge of appropriate driver conduct when stopped by a law
enforcement officer; and his knowledge of all relevant traffic regulations.
Proposed law modifies present law by adding a requirement that a driver must successfully
pass the written knowledge test and a driving or skills test administered by the office of
motor vehicles every four years in which a new written knowledge test must be provided.
Present law specifies a Class "D" driver's license expires on the anniversary of the birthday
of the applicant which is nearest to a period of six years subsequent to the issuing of the
license, unless suspended, revoked, or canceled prior to that time.
Proposed law modifies the expiration date in present law from six years to five years.
Present law authorizes the department to issue a license for a period of less than six years
in circumstances of medical limitation, limitation on lawful presence, or other special
restrictions.
Proposed law modifies present law by changing the license period from less than six years
to less than five years.
Present law specifies that a Class "E" driver's license expires on the anniversary of the
birthday of the applicant which is nearest to a period of six years subsequent to the issuing
of the license, unless suspended, revoked, or canceled.
Proposed law modifies the expiration date in present law from six years to five years
subsequent to the issuing of the license, unless suspended, revoked, or canceled.
Present law specifies that a Class "C" commercial driver's license not carrying an
endorsement permitting the transportation of material found to be hazardous for purposes
of the Federal Hazardous Material Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.) or under state
law or regulation will expire on the anniversary of the birthday of the applicant which is
nearest to a date of six years subsequent to the issuing of the license, unless revoked,
canceled, or suspended prior to that time.
Proposed law modifies the expiration date in present law from six years to five years for a
Class "C" commercial driver's license not carrying an endorsement permitting the
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HB NO. 944
transportation of material found to be hazardous to expire on the anniversary of the birthday
of the applicant which is nearest to a date of six years subsequent to the issuing of the
license, unless revoked, canceled, or suspended prior to that time.
Present law specifies that a Class "C" commercial driver's license carrying an endorsement
permitting the transportation of materials found to be hazardous for purposes of the Federal
Hazardous Material Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.) or under state law or
regulation will expire on the anniversary of the birthday of the applicant which is nearest to
a date of six years subsequent to the issuing of the license, unless revoked, canceled, or
suspended prior to that time.
Proposed law modifies the expiration date in present law from six years to five years for a
Class "C" commercial driver's license carrying an endorsement permitting the transportation
of materials found to be hazardous.
Present law establishes that a Class "B" commercial driver's license will expire on the
anniversary of the birthday of the applicant which is nearest to a date of six years subsequent
to the issuing of the license, unless revoked, canceled, or suspended prior to that time.
Proposed law modifies the expiration date in present law from six years to five years for a
Class "B" commercial driver's license.
Present law requires that a Class "A" commercial driver's license will expire on the
anniversary of the birthday of the applicant which is nearest to a date of six years subsequent
to the issuing of the license, unless revoked, canceled, or suspended prior to that time.
Proposed law modifies the expiration date in present law from six years to five years for a
Class "A" commercial driver's license.
Present law requires every applicant 70 years of age or older for a Class "E" driver's license,
or for the renewal of a Class "E" driver's license, except those bona fide residents of the city
of New Orleans, must pay for such basic license a fee $6.75, which is the cost of the license.
Requires the license to expire on the anniversary of the birthday of the applicant which is
nearest to a date of six years subsequent to the issuing of the license, unless revoked,
canceled, or suspended.
Proposed law modifies the expiration date in present law from six years to five years for a
Class "E" commercial driver's license, or for the renewal of a Class "E" driver's license.
Present law requires that every applicant 70 years of age or older for a Class "D" driver's
license, or for the renewal of a Class "D" driver's license, except those bona fide residents
of the city of New Orleans, must pay for such basic license a fee of $22.13, which will be
the cost of the license. Further specifies the license will expire on the anniversary of the
birthday of the applicant which is nearest to a date of six years subsequent to the issuing of
the license, unless revoked, canceled, or suspended.
Proposed law modifies the expiration date in present law from six years to five years for a
Class "D" commercial driver's license, or the renewal of a Class "D" driver's license.
Present law requires that every applicant 70 years of age or older for a Class "E" driver's
license, or for the renewal of a Class "E" driver's license, issued to bona fide residents of the
city of New Orleans, pay for such basic license a fee of $6.75, which is the cost of the
license. Further require the license to expire on the anniversary of the birthday of the
applicant which is nearest to a date of six years subsequent to the issuing of the license,
unless revoked, canceled, or suspended.
Proposed law modifies the expiration date in present law from six years to five years for a
Class "E" driver's license or the renewal of a Class "E" driver's license.
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HB NO. 944
Present law requires that every applicant 70 years of age or older for a Class "D" driver's
license, or for the renewal of a Class "D" driver's license, issued to bona fide residents of the
city of New Orleans, must pay for such basic license a fee of $27.75, which is to be the cost
of the license. Further specifies that the license will expire on the anniversary of the
birthday of the applicant which is nearest to a date of six years subsequent to the issuing of
the license, unless revoked, canceled, or suspended.
Proposed law modifies the date in present law from six years to five years for a Class "D"
driver's license or the renewal of a Class "D" driver's license.
Present law requires that the addition of a motorcycle or motor scooter endorsement to a
basic license will require, besides the specific examination for such vehicles, the payment
of an additional fee of $12. Additionally if the motorcycle endorsement is to any license
which is valid for less than six years, the fee for the endorsement will be six dollars.
Proposed law modifies present law by changing the motorcycle endorsement to any license
valid from less than six years to less than five years.
Present law specifies the amount of $7.50 from the fee for a motorcycle or motor scooter
endorsement to a basic license, or the amount of $3 from the fee if the motorcycle
endorsement for any person is to a license that is valid for only less than six years be credited
to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund.
Present law requires that after a sufficient amount is allocated from that fund to pay all
obligations secured by the full faith and credit of the state which become due and payable
within any fiscal years, the treasurer must pay an amount equal to the fees paid into the Bond
Security and Redemption Fund pursuant to present law, into a special agency account which
is hereby created in the state treasury and designated as the "Motorcycle Safety, Awareness,
and Operator Training Program Dedicated Fund Account", to be referred to as the "account".
Present law requires that the monies credited to the account be used solely for operator
training, instructor training, and motorcycle safety and awareness programs. Additionally,
specifies that any unexpended and unencumbered monies remaining to the credit of the
account on June 13th of each year, after all appropriations of the preceding fiscal year have
been made, revert to the state general fund. Further requires, the monies in the account be
expended solely from year to year as appropriated by the legislature for the purposes of
motorcycle safety and awareness and operator training. Any amounts earned through
investment of the monies in the account must revert to the state general fund. Additionally,
specifies that any funding deposited into the account is considered fees and self-generated
revenues and be available for annual appropriations by the legislature.
Proposed law modifies present law by changing the endorsement for any person is to a
license that is valid from only less than six years to only less than five years be credited to
the Bond Security and Redemption Funds.
(Amends R.S. 32:408(A)(1) and 412(A)(4)(a) and (b)(intro. para.) and (7)(a) and (b),
(B)(7)(a)(i) and (ii), (b)(i)(intro. para.) and (ii)(intro. para.), (c)(i) and (ii)(intro. para.), (d)(i)
and (ii)(intro. para.), (e)(i)(aa) and (bb)(intro. para.), (dd)(I) and (II), (ii)(aa) and (bb), (dd)(I)
and (II), and (C)(1) and (2))
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