Ex-Offender Provisional Driver's Licenses

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About Ex-Offender Provisional Driver's Licenses

This resource provides an overview of information on obtaining a Provisional Driver's License (PDL) in Louisiana for individuals released from incarceration. It details the eligibility criteria, necessary documentation, steps to apply, and associated fees. Eligibility hinges on not having a valid license, not being incarcerated for specific offenses like vehicular homicide, and having been incarcerated for at least a year, among other factors. 

A PDL is a temporary driving permit given to eligible ex-offenders. Unlike a standard driver's license which is permanent, a provisional license has restrictions and is typically issued for a specific purpose and a limited time. Ex-offenders are granted a one-year timeframe during which they can legally drive under the provisional license. This period aims to offer them a sufficient window to adjust to post-incarceration life, seek employment, and address any financial or legal obligations that may be preventing them from obtaining a permanent driver's license. This helps ex-offenders whose driver's licenses were suspended or revoked due to their criminal activities or related issues.  

What You Need To Know

To be eligible for a Provisional Driver's License (PDL) in Louisiana, individuals must have been released from incarceration and not possess a valid license. They should not have been incarcerated for specific offenses like vehicular homicide. Additionally, applicants must have been incarcerated for at least one year.

Specifically, you are eligible for a PDL if ALL of the following applies: 

  • You were incarcerated for at least one year. 
  • Your Class "E" driver's license is currently suspended, revoked, or has been canceled for issues besides vehicular homicide, 3rd or subsequent DWI. 
  • You held a valid LA or out-of-state Class "E" commercial driver's license in the past OR have completed driving school and possess the sealed envelope with the results. 
  • You have never been issued a provisional driver's license under Louisiana Revised Statute 32:415.3.

AND

NONE of the following applies to your driver's license: 

  • It is currently suspended, revoked, or canceled because of a motor vehicle-related conviction or traffic tickets in another state. 
  • It has been suspended, revoked, or canceled due to conviction of a 3rd or subsequent offense of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. 
  • It has been suspended, revoked, or canceled because of a conviction of vehicular homicide. 
  • It is suspended in another state. 

To apply for a PDL in Louisiana, individuals released from incarceration need to provide proof of their incarceration duration and release. Additionally, they must bring identification, such as a birth certificate or passport, and proof of residency in Louisiana.

Specifically related to providing proof of incarceration, proof of incarceration will depend on where you were incarcerated. If you were incarcerated: 

  • With the Louisiana Department of Corrections, provide your DOC number. This will allow the OMV to confirm the dates of your incarceration, and that you were not incarcerated for a 3rd or subsequent DWI, or vehicular homicide. 
  • In a Parish or Local Jail, bring a Letter of Incarceration from the jail facility in which you were incarcerated. The letter must verify that: (1) You served a minimum of one year, AND (2) you were not incarcerated for vehicular homicide or 3rd or subsequent DWI. 
  • In Federal Custody, bring one of the following: (1) Release papers from federal custody, (2) Letter from your probation officer, (3) Letter from your halfway house case manager, (4) Letter from your case manager at your halfway house. 

Individuals seeking to apply for a Provisional Driver's License (PDL) in Louisiana should visit the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) with the necessary documentation to begin the application process. This step is crucial for verifying eligibility and fulfilling state requirements for obtaining a PDL after incarceration.

To locate the nearest OMV in your area, refer to www.ExpressLane.org. You may need to make an appointment online. 

There are standard licensing fees associated with obtaining a Provisional Driver's License (PDL) in Louisiana, which applicants must pay as part of the application process. Fees vary by location. To check what your fee will be, go to: www.powerdms.com/public/LADPSC/documents/368099 or contact your nearest OMV location at www.ExpressLane.org

Fees may be paid by: credit card, debit card, money order, or personal check (must include your street address, driver's license number, and telephone number.) 

Transaction fees will be assessed if you're paying by credit, debit, or personal checks (personal checks will be converted to an e-check). (Credit/Debit cards - $1.25 plus 1% of the transaction amount) (E-checks - $1.00)

The Ex-Offender Provisional Driver's License is valid for one year from the date of issuance. Generally, a provisional license is a step between obtaining a learner's permit and a full driver's license, designed to allow new drivers or those needing to re-establish their driving qualifications, such as some ex-offenders, to drive under certain conditions.

Yes, the Ex-Offender Provisional Driver's License can be revoked. Circumstances leading to revocation include non-compliance with the specific conditions under which the license was issued, any driving offenses committed during the provisional license period, or failure to meet any other legal or policy requirements set forth by the issuing authority. 

Common reasons for revocation or suspension include:

  1. Committing Traffic Violations: Accumulating too many traffic violations or points on one's driving record can lead to the suspension or revocation of a provisional license.
  2. Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Being convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can result in immediate revocation or suspension.
  3. Failure to Comply with License Restrictions: Provisional licenses often come with restrictions (e.g., no driving at night or requiring a licensed adult in the vehicle). Violating these restrictions can lead to the license being revoked or suspended.
  4. Re-Offending: For ex-offenders, committing new criminal offenses, especially those related to driving or the reason for their initial incarceration, can result in the loss of driving privileges.

How To Get A Provisional Driver's License

How To Get A Provisional Driver's License

This goes over the process of getting a provisional driver's license (PDL). To apply, individuals must visit the Office of Motor Vehicles with proof of incarceration and meet other requirements like identity verification and residency proof.

You can follow the steps below for an overview of how to get a PDL. 

Steps To Getting A Provisional Driver's License

You can get a PDL (Provisional Driver's License) if all these things are true for you:

  • You've been in jail for at least one year.
  • Your Class “E” driver’s license is not working right now, but not because of vehicular homicide or your third (or more) time getting caught driving while intoxicated.
  • You either had a valid Class “E” commercial driver’s license before, from Louisiana or another state, or you've finished driving school and have your results in a sealed envelope.
  • You've never gotten a provisional driver's license in Louisiana before.

And none of these things can be true about your driver’s license:

  • It's not working right now because you did something wrong with a motor vehicle or got traffic tickets in another state.
  • It's not working because you've been caught driving while intoxicated three times or more.
  • It's not working because you were convicted of vehicular homicide.
  • It's suspended in another state.

To apply for a PDL in Louisiana, individuals released from incarceration need to provide proof of their incarceration duration and release. Additionally, they must provide identification, such as a birth certificate or passport, and proof of residency in Louisiana.

Specifically related to providing proof of incarceration, proof of incarceration will depend on where you were incarcerated. If you were incarcerated: 

  • With the Louisiana Department of Corrections, provide your DOC number. This will allow the OMV to confirm the dates of your incarceration, and that you were not incarcerated for a 3rd or subsequent DWI, or vehicular homicide. 
  • In a Parish or Local Jail, bring a Letter of Incarceration from the jail facility in which you were incarcerated. The letter must verify that: (1) You served a minimum of one year, AND (2) you were not incarcerated for vehicular homicide or 3rd or subsequent DWI. 
  • In Federal Custody, bring one of the following: (1) Release papers from federal custody, (2) Letter from your probation officer, (3) Letter from your halfway house case manager, (4) Letter from your case manager at your halfway house. 

There are standard licensing fees associated with obtaining a Provisional Driver's License (PDL) in Louisiana, which applicants must pay as part of the application process. Fees vary by location. To check what your fee will be, go to: www.powerdms.com/public/LADPSC/documents/368099 or contact your nearest OMV location at www.ExpressLane.org

Fees may be paid by: credit card, debit card, money order, or personal check (must include your street address, driver's license number, and telephone number.) 

Transaction fees will be assessed if you're paying by credit, debit, or personal checks (personal checks will be converted to an e-check). (Credit/Debit cards - $1.25 plus 1% of the transaction amount) (E-checks - $1.00)

To locate the nearest OMV in your area, refer to www.ExpressLane.org. You may need to make an appointment online.

Make sure to bring all of your documents, including proof of incarceration, proof of Louisiana residency, and proof of identification, such as your passport or birth certificate. Submit your documents and follow the instructions at the OMV to get your PDL. 

Other Issues To Consider

Other Issues To Consider

These are some of the other issues you may consider related to an ex-offender provisional driver's license. This outlines the process of other legal issues related to PDLs such as the process for transitioning from a PDL to a full license, including resolving any blocks on the license. 

Other Issues To Consider

To transition from a Provisional Driver's License (PDL) to a full driver's license in Louisiana, the individual must fulfill certain requirements, which may include passing driving tests, paying applicable fees, and resolving any outstanding issues that may have led to the initial suspension or revocation of their license. To see the issues that are on your driving record causing the blocks, go to www.ExpressLane.org - "Drivers", "Personal Driver's Licenses", "Official Driving Record." You will need to enter your Louisiana Class "E" driver's license number and the last four digits of your social security number. 

This may not list all the things blocking your license. Typical issues that can block your license include unresolved traffic tickets or misdemeanor charges - including out-of-state tickets, child support debt, and lapses in insurance on any vehicle registered in your name. 

Before the OMV clears a block for an unpaid traffic citation issued in another state, you must provide written proof that the obligation or debt has been satisfied. For example, if you pay off a traffic fine or fee, you should get a paid receipt for the citation. This is usually referred to as a "reinstatement letter" or a "compliance letter." You should bring a copy of that written proof to the OMV. 

Once you resolve the issues that caused the revocation/cancellation of your license, you will apply for a permanent driver's license and pay reinstatement fees as well as a license fee. You must pay all OMV reinstatement fees that accrued before or during your incarceration. 

When your PDL expires, you might be eligible to pay for OMV fees in an installment plan. If you qualify, the OMV can help you to set one up. For more information about installment plans, go to: www.expresslane.org/drivers/installment-payment-plan-agreements/eligibility/

If you have never held a valid driver's license, or if a record of that driver's license cannot be located, you are required to complete a driver's education course before you will be granted a Class E or provisional driver's license. This will require the application of a Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP). All applicants must apply to the OMV for a TIP before participation in the knowledge test, operation of a motor vehicle during on-road driving skills instruction, or participation in the on-road driving skills test. 

Upon successful completion of the driver's education, the TIP will be surrendered to the OMV along with proof of completion of the driver's education course and any other necessary documents. There is no additional cost to convert from the TIP to a full license. After getting the driver's license, you can apply for a PDL, giving you one year to clear your driving record of any suspensions, revocations, or cancelations for a regular Class "E" driver's license. 

To learn more about TIP, the application process and the required documentation go to: www.expresslane.org/drivers/personal-driver-s-licenses/new-licenses/

In Louisiana, the distinction between a hardship driver's license and an ex-offender provisional driver's license lies in their purpose and eligibility criteria. The ex-offender provisional license is targeted specifically at individuals re-entering society post-incarceration, aiming to ease their transition by facilitating legal driving privileges. In contrast, the hardship license caters to a broader audience facing license suspension or revocation due to various reasons, offering them a way to continue essential daily activities legally.

Hardship Driver's License:

  • Purpose: This license is designed to provide limited driving privileges to individuals who have had their driver's license suspended or revoked, but demonstrate a significant need to drive. The need might be related to employment, educational purposes, medical appointments, attending court-ordered treatments, or other essential family responsibilities.
  • Eligibility: Applicants must typically show that not having a license causes a significant hardship to themselves or their families. The specific criteria can include proving employment, enrollment in education, or the need for medical care that requires travel.
  • Restrictions: The driving privileges granted under a hardship license are usually restricted by time, route, or purpose. For instance, it might only allow driving to and from work, school, or medical appointments.

Ex-Offender Provisional Driver's License:

  • Purpose: This type of license is intended to assist individuals who are exiting the criminal justice system and re-entering society, providing them with the ability to legally drive. The goal is to facilitate their successful reintegration by making it easier for them to secure employment, attend educational or training programs, and fulfill other obligations that require transportation.
  • Eligibility: Eligibility is typically limited to individuals who are ex-offenders and who may not qualify for a regular driver's license immediately upon release from incarceration. There might be specific conditions tied to their release or parole that they need to meet to qualify.
  • Restrictions: Similar to the hardship license, the ex-offender provisional license may have limitations regarding when and where the individual can drive. The conditions are often designed to support the licensee's reintegration efforts without compromising public safety.
Last Review and Update: Feb 06, 2024
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