Louisiana Permit Test Cheat Sheet (2026)
The Louisiana rules and numbers to know for the OMV knowledge test, on one page. Every line was checked against the official Louisiana driver's handbook. It is a study sheet: you cannot use notes during the real test.
The Louisiana test at a glance
- Questions on the test
- 40
- To pass
- 32 of 40 correct (80%)
- Time limit
- We found no published time limit for the Louisiana knowledge test.
- Minimum permit age
- 15 years old
- Hold the permit for
- 180 days (age 15: minimum 180 days AND until age 16; age 16: 180 days OR until age 17)
- Alcohol limit under 21
- 0.02% BAC
Louisiana rules and numbers
From the official Louisiana handbook (DPSMV2052 (R08/25)); PDF page numbers in brackets.
Road signs
Rules of the road
- Intermediate license under 17: no driving 11 p.m.-5 a.m. unless with a qualified adult. [p.7]
- Learner's permit: drive only with a licensed adult 21+ or a licensed sibling 18+. [source]
- Intermediate to full license: 12 months with no at-fault crashes or violations. [source]
- Ages 15-16 start graduated licensing with a learner's permit. [p.4]
- Learner's permit supervisor may be a licensed sibling age 18 or older. [p.7]
- Fire hydrant: no parking within 15 feet. [p.75]
- Railroad crossing: no parking within 50 feet. [p.75]
- Fire station driveway: 20 feet on the same side, 75 feet across the street. [p.75]
- Stop sign, yield sign or roadside signal: no parking within 20 feet. [p.75]
- No passing within 100 feet of an intersection, railroad crossing, bridge or tunnel. [p.76]
- Pass on the right only with 2+ lanes going your way; never use the shoulder. [p.77]
- Headphones: not in both ears while driving; one ear is allowed. [p.102]
- Shared center left-turn lane: drive in it no more than 200 feet. [p.96]
- No turning around on a hill or curve unless visible from 500 feet both ways. [p.95]
- Stopped school bus loading or unloading: stop at least 30 feet away. [p.93]
- One lane each way plus a center turn lane: traffic both ways stops for a school bus. [p.94]
- Railroad crossing: stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail. [p.99]
- Interstate maximum: 70 mph unless otherwise posted. [p.105]
- Construction zones: traffic fines are doubled. [p.36]
- Bicycle helmet required for riders and passengers under 12. [p.102]
- Open truck bed: no riders on interstates; never under age 12. [p.101]
- Following an emergency vehicle on a call: stay back at least 500 feet. [p.102]
- Signal not working: treat the intersection as an all-way stop. [p.91]
- Texting while driving is illegal for all Louisiana drivers. [p.83]
Safe driving & emergencies
- Stalled on tracks: get out and move toward the train, away from the tracks. [p.99]
- Low beams: within 500 feet of oncoming traffic, 200 feet when following. [p.80]
- Passing a bicyclist: leave at least 3 feet. [p.85]
- Child seats: rear-facing from birth to at least age 2. [p.45]
- Tire blowout: no braking until you slow to about 30 mph. [p.122]
- Flooded roads: 6 inches reaches most car floors; 2 feet can sweep cars away. [p.124]
Rules learners miss most
The rules behind the most-missed questions on our practice tests. Some details, such as parking distances, can differ by state - your handbook has the final word.
- At 60 mph a car travels about 88 feet per second.
- Measure following distance in seconds, counted from a fixed roadside object.
- Most states: no parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
- A yellow curb signals a stopping or parking limit - check signs and local rules.
- Uncontrolled T-intersection: the terminating road yields to the through road.
- Uphill with a curb: turn wheels away from the curb; downhill: toward it.
- Most states: no parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant (a few use 10 feet).
- KEEP RIGHT: pass to the right of the island, median or obstruction.
- Point of no return: past it you cannot stop safely on yellow, so proceed.
- Zipper merge: use both lanes up to the merge point, then alternate.
- In heavy rain use low beams, slow down and increase following distance.
- Parallel park close to and parallel with the curb, within your state's limit.
- Yellow pennant on the left side of the road: a no-passing zone begins.
- Car with skid marks: the road is slippery when wet.
- Diamond-shaped signs are warning signs.
- 4-way stop tie: the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
- ABS keeps wheels from locking in hard braking so you can still steer.
- A round yellow sign warns of a railroad crossing ahead.
- Merging onto a highway: yield to traffic already on the highway.
- An upward-pointing pentagon marks a school zone or school crossing.
- Steady yellow: the light is about to turn red - stop if you can do so safely.
- Basic speed law: never drive faster than is safe for conditions, even under the limit.
- Use high beams on open roads; dim them for oncoming or followed vehicles.
- Arrows pointing up and down warn of two-way traffic ahead.
- Orange diamond signs warn of construction and work zones.
- Adult (21+) BAC limit is 0.08% in most states.
- Implied consent: by driving you agree to chemical tests if arrested for DUI.
Now test yourself
Reading rules is a start; answering questions is what makes them stick.