Other Licenses & Endorsements in Louisiana

Special Louisiana Driver's License

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) offers different driver's license classes and endorsements depending on what type of vehicle you want to drive, how many passengers you want to transport, and what types of materials you want to carry.

You may need a license class different from your regular, non-commercial driver's license or you may need to obtain additional license endorsements.

On this page you'll find basic information about license classes and endorsements in Louisiana.

If you need a regular driver's license, please visit our pages on the following topics:

Commercial Driver's License

For heavy vehicles and vehicles that can carry a large number of passengers, you'll need to obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL).

The class of CDL and endorsements you hold will determine:

The maximum weight of the vehicle you can operate.
The number of passengers you can carry.
The type of materials you can transport.

For more information about obtaining a commercial driver's license, please visit our Applying for a New CDL in Louisiana page.

Driving a School Bus

To operate a school bus in Louisiana, you must:

Be at least 21 years old.
Pass a criminal records check.
Pass a driving record check and maintain a clean driving record.
Have a commercial driver's license (CDL) with a passenger endorsement and a school bus endorsement.
Pass a physical.
Submit to a pre-service training course, which includes classroom instruction of 30 hours and bus training of 10 hours.
Spend 4 hours getting familiar with the vehicle as part of the training above.
Pass an in-service drug and alcohol screening.

Some parish school districts may have their own specific requirements. If you harbor questions, contact the school district you'll be driving in.

Shuttle License

You will need a CDL if your shuttle van or bus is designed to carry 16 passengers or more. If your vehicle or combination of vehicles has a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 to 26,001 lbs, you must apply for a Class D license.

Louisiana Taxi License

Check with your local municipality for taxi driver's license regulations.

Generally, to become a licensed taxi driver, you'll need to:

Pay a taxi licensing fee.
Pass a physical exam.
Have clean criminal record and pass a background check.
Maintain a clean driving record.
Hold a valid, non-commercial driver's license.
Complete a taxi driver training and certification course.

Chauffeur License

To obtain a chauffeur's driver's license, you must:

Be at least 17 years old.
Pass a chauffeur's knowledge test.
Hold a valid, Class E license.
Pay the $54.75 Class D fee (any additional local fees of up to $8).

For general information on a Class D chauffeur's license and driving tips, refer to the Louisiana's Driver's Guide.

Louisiana Sport Vehicles License

Louisiana does not mandate a minimum age requirement for operating an ATV. For certain off-road vehicles, you may be required to hold a motorcycle license. For more information, please visit our Motorcycle License in Louisiana page.