Free · 25 short lessons · Quoted from the manual
Louisiana Driver Handbook, Chapter by Chapter
Start with lesson 1Every chapter of the Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide that matters for the written test, cut down to the rules and exact numbers you need. Each point links to the manual text it comes from, with the page, and ends with questions from our free Louisiana practice test.
25 lessons in handbook order
Read one lesson, answer its 3 check questions, then drill that topic in the practice test. Most lessons take about 5 minutes.
- Lesson 1Chapter 1: Getting a Driver's LicenseLaws and paperwork
Who needs a license, license classes and the tests
Louisiana residents need a license to drive, and new residents have 30 days to get one. First time applicants take driver education, then pass vision, knowledge and road skills tests, with 80 percent needed on the knowledge test.
9 key points · 6 numbers · Handbook pp. 1 to 10
- Lesson 2Chapter 1: Getting a Driver's LicenseLaws and paperwork
The graduated licensing program
Teens start with a learner's permit at 15, move to an intermediate license at 16 and get a full license at 17. The intermediate stage bans driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. without a qualified adult and limits young passengers at night.
8 key points · 8 numbers · Handbook pp. 6 to 7
- Lesson 3Chapter 1: Getting a Driver's LicenseLaws and paperwork
Insurance, renewal, your record and losing your license
Your insurance card must be in the vehicle at all times, and a license lasts six years. Crashes and convictions stay on your record five years, DWI convictions ten, and many offenses can cost you your license.
8 key points · 7 numbers · Handbook pp. 3 to 127
- Lesson 4Chapter 3: Signs, Traffic Lights, and Pavement MarkingsRoad signs
Sign shapes and colors
A sign's shape tells you its meaning before you can read it: the octagon is only for stop and the downward triangle only for yield. Colors help too, with red meaning stop or do not and orange marking construction zones.
8 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 22 to 24
- Lesson 5Chapter 3: Signs, Traffic Lights, and Pavement MarkingsRoad signs
Warning, regulatory, guide and work zone signs
Warning signs are usually yellow diamonds, and regulatory signs are white with black, red or green symbols. In work zones, orange signs warn of workers ahead, and traffic fines are doubled.
8 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 25 to 31
- Lesson 6Chapter 3: Signs, Traffic Lights, and Pavement MarkingsSignals and markings
Traffic lights and arrows
On green, let crossing traffic clear before you go, and yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. Steady yellow means stop if you can before the stop bar, and flashing red works like a stop sign.
8 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 33 to 34
- Lesson 7Chapter 3: Signs, Traffic Lights, and Pavement MarkingsSignals and markings
Center lines, lane lines and crosswalks
Yellow center lines separate opposing traffic and white lines separate lanes going your way. You may cross double solid yellow lines only to turn, never to pass.
8 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 34 to 36
- Lesson 8Chapters 3 and 6: Roundabouts and Traffic CirclesRight of way
Roundabouts and traffic circles
In a roundabout, entering traffic yields to circulating traffic, and you yield to the left before entering. Keep to about 15 mph, never stop inside and signal your exit.
8 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 37 to 92
- Lesson 9Chapter 4: Basic Driving and SafetySafe driving
Safety belts, child restraints and air bags
Louisiana requires every front and back seat occupant to buckle up, and belts cut serious injury and death risk by 50 percent. Children ride in rear facing, forward facing, booster and belt stages by age, and air bags call for 9 and 3 hands and 10 inches of space.
9 key points · 9 numbers · Handbook pp. 39 to 41
- Lesson 10Chapter 5: Safe Driving HabitsSafe driving
Defensive driving, fatigue and aggressive drivers
Defensive drivers anticipate hazards instead of simply reacting. Rest every two hours, limit driving to six or eight hours a day, and never challenge an aggressive driver.
8 key points · 4 numbers · Handbook pp. 54 to 60
- Lesson 11Chapter 5: Safe Driving HabitsSafe driving
Scanning ahead, stopping distance and following distance
Look 20 to 30 seconds ahead, and remember that stopping from 50 mph takes at least 268 feet. Keep a three second following distance, and four seconds in bad weather or on wet pavement.
9 key points · 8 numbers · Handbook pp. 61 to 66
- Lesson 12Chapter 5: Safe Driving HabitsSafe driving
Lane changes, passing and wet roads
Check your blind spots over your shoulder before changing lanes, and finish any pass before coming within 100 feet of oncoming traffic. Roads are most slippery right after rain begins, so slow down and double your following distance.
6 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 63 to 76
- Lesson 13Chapter 5: Safe Driving HabitsParking
Parking rules and painted curbs
When parallel parked, your right wheels must be within 18 inches of the curb, and an unattended car must be shut off, locked and braked. Louisiana law bans parking near hydrants, crosswalks, fire stations and railroad crossings, and curb colors mark other limits.
10 key points · 4 numbers · Handbook pp. 69 to 70
- Lesson 14Chapter 5: Safe Driving HabitsSafe driving
Night driving, pedestrians and phones
Low beams light about 150 to 200 feet and high beams 350 to 400 feet, so match your speed to your lights. Yield to pedestrians at all times, and never hold a phone or text while driving.
9 key points · 5 numbers · Handbook pp. 75 to 78
- Lesson 15Chapter 5: Safe Driving HabitsSafe driving
Bicycles, motorcycles and big trucks
Give bicyclists at least three feet when passing and a motorcycle a full lane with a four second gap. A loaded tractor trailer needs at least 290 feet to stop from 55 mph, so never cut in front of one.
10 key points · 6 numbers · Handbook pp. 80 to 97
- Lesson 16Chapter 6: Traffic Laws and RegulationsSpeed limits
Speed laws
Louisiana's general speed law says never drive faster than is reasonable, and posted limits are for ideal conditions. Obey posted minimums too, and slow down near schools and in residential and business areas.
7 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 86 to 100
- Lesson 17Chapter 6: Traffic Laws and RegulationsEmergencies
School buses, turns and signals
Stop at least 30 feet from a school bus loading or unloading children, and wait until it moves. Signal at least 100 feet before a turn, and never change lanes in or near an intersection.
8 key points · 4 numbers · Handbook pp. 88 to 90
- Lesson 18Chapter 6: Traffic Laws and RegulationsRight of way
Right of way and other laws you should know
The law says who must yield but gives no one the right of way. Yield when turning left, to pedestrians, at T intersections and to funeral processions, and when two arrive together the driver on the left yields.
9 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 93 to 97
- Lesson 19Chapter 6: Traffic Laws and RegulationsEmergencies
Railroad crossings
When crossing signals flash, a gate is down or a train is near, stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail. Never stop on the tracks, and if you stall with a train coming, get out and move toward the train.
8 key points · 3 numbers · Handbook pp. 94 to 96
- Lesson 20Chapter 7: Interstate Driving and Rural RoadsSafe driving
Interstate and rural road driving
Enter the interstate at the speed of traffic, keep right except to pass, and never back up if you miss an exit. On rural roads, slow for hills, curves, gravel and animals, and pass slow vehicles with care.
8 key points · 3 numbers · Handbook pp. 101 to 106
- Lesson 21Chapter 8: Driving Hazards and EmergenciesSafe driving
Skids, blowouts and hydroplaning
In a skid, ease off the gas and steer where you want the front of the car to go. After a blowout, hold the wheel and do not brake until you slow to about 30 mph.
7 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 115 to 117
- Lesson 22Chapter 8: Driving Hazards and EmergenciesEmergencies
Stuck pedals, fires, floods and crashes
If the gas pedal sticks, shift to neutral first, and if smoke comes from the hood, pull off and turn off the engine. After a crash, stop, check for injuries, call police and move your vehicle out of traffic.
8 key points · 3 numbers · Handbook pp. 117 to 121
- Lesson 23Chapter 8: Driving Hazards and EmergenciesEmergencies
Emergency vehicles and the move over rule
For an emergency vehicle using lights or siren, pull parallel to the right edge and stop until it passes. When passing a parked emergency vehicle on a multi lane road, move to a lane not next to it, or slow down.
6 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 30 to 121
- Lesson 24Chapter 9: Driving OffensesAlcohol and DUI
Alcohol and Louisiana's BAC limits
Louisiana's limits are .08 at 21 and older, .02 at 20 and younger and .04 for commercial drivers. Your body removes about one drink an hour, and nothing speeds that up.
8 key points · 5 numbers · Handbook pp. 122 to 124
- Lesson 25Chapter 9: Driving OffensesAlcohol and DUI
Implied consent and DWI penalties
By driving in Louisiana you consent to alcohol and drug testing, and refusing costs your license for 365 days, or 730 days for a repeat. Test results bring suspensions too, and DWI convictions carry jail, fines and license loss.
8 key points · 6 numbers · Handbook pp. 124 to 126
Read, check, then practice
- Read a lesson. Open any point's source to see the exact manual wording and page.
- Answer the 3 check questions at the end without looking back.
- Drill that topic in the free Louisiana practice test, then take a full test when every lesson feels easy.
- Keep the Louisiana cheat sheet for a last look before test day.
Source: the Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide (DPSMV2052 (R08/25)). Lessons are plain English summaries, not the law itself; where they differ, the manual and the statute govern. Every quote on these pages is checked against our saved copy of the manual. Last checked 2026-09-27.