Insurance, renewal, your record and losing your license

Key points

1. By law, your insurance card must be in the vehicle at all times.

   Source: Handbook p. 7

   “By law, your insurance card must be in the vehicle at all times as evidence of insurance.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 7

2. Male citizens or immigrants age 15 to 26 must provide a Social Security number for Selective Service.

   Source: Handbook p. 3

   “the Social Security Number is required from all male US citizens or immigrants age 15 to 26 who apply for a driver's license or ID card.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 3

3. Your license expires six years from your nearest birthday and may be renewed within 180 days before expiration.

   Source: Handbook p. 10

   “Your driver's license will expire six years from your nearest birthday. Licenses may be renewed anytime within 180 days before the expiration date.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 10

4. You must correct the address on your license within 10 days after a move.

   Source: Handbook p. 10

   “Louisiana law requires you to correct the address on your license within 10 days after a move.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 10

5. Traffic convictions and collisions stay on your record five years, and DWI convictions 10 years.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “The Office of Motor Vehicles keeps a public record of all your traffic convictions and collisions for five years. Convictions for DWI are maintained for 10 years.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 11

6. You can lose your license if a test shows 0.08% or more at 21 or older, or 0.02% or more under 21.

   Source: Handbook p. 12

   “In which the results show a BAC level of 0.08% or more for those 21 years of age or older or 0.02 % or more for those younger than 21 years of age.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 12

7. Three reckless driving convictions within 12 months can cost you your license.

   Source: Handbook p. 12

   “Three convictions of reckless driving committed within a 12-month period.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 12

8. Each conviction for driving under suspension extends the suspension by one year.

   Source: Handbook p. 127

   “EACH conviction of driving under suspension will cause your suspension period to be extended for one year.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 127

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Louisiana practice test

1. 1. How long does the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles maintain convictions for DWI?

   1. For the driver's lifetime only
   2. 5 years
   3. 1 year
   4. 10 years
   Show answer

   10 years. The Office of Motor Vehicles maintains DWI convictions for 10 years. The guide separately says the public record of all traffic convictions and collisions is kept for five years, so choosing five confuses the general record period with the DWI rule. One year is also unrelated, and the guide does not state lifetime retention for this item. The memory cue is the special treatment: DWI lasts twice the ordinary five-year period.

2. 2. Where must proof of required liability insurance be kept while a Louisiana vehicle is operational?

   1. Only at the driver's home
   2. In the vehicle
   3. Only at the insurance agent's office
   4. It need not be kept anywhere
   Show answer

   In the vehicle. Louisiana requires proof of insurance to be maintained in the vehicle when the vehicle is operational. It must also be presented when a law-enforcement officer requests it. Keeping the document only at home or at an agent's office would not satisfy the guide's in-vehicle requirement, and having no proof available ignores the rule. The concrete cue is operational: before driving, make sure the insurance proof travels with the vehicle.

3. 3. Which Louisiana applicants must supply a Social Security number for Selective Service purposes?

   1. All male U.S. citizens or immigrants age 15 to 26 applying for a license or ID
   2. All applicants over 18
   3. Only commercial applicants
   4. No one
   Show answer

   All male U.S. citizens or immigrants age 15 to 26 applying for a license or ID. Under state law the Social Security number is required from all male U.S. citizens or immigrants age 15 to 26 who apply for a driver's license or ID card, so the state can forward Selective Service registration. Foreign nationals must also have at least 30 days remaining on a visa or I-94 to be considered for issuance, and a $12 handling fee applies to most transactions.

Source: the Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Chapter 1: Getting a Driver's License. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.