What Louisiana charged for driving with a suspended license in 2019
In 2019, Louisiana imposed a minimum fine of $300 for a first offense of driving with a suspended license. The actual penalty depended on whether your suspension was for a traffic violation, failure to pay a fine, or failure to maintain insurance — each carried different consequences. A second offense within ten years raised the minimum fine to $500, and a third or subsequent offense within ten years could result in a minimum fine of $750 plus jail time of up to six months.
Beyond the fine, Louisiana courts could impose additional costs: court costs, a reinstatement fee to restore your license, and in some cases a requirement to install an ignition interlock device if the suspension was alcohol-related. The exact total depended on the reason for the suspension and the judge's discretion within the statutory range.
Key Takeaways
- A first offense of driving with a suspended license in Louisiana in 2019 carried a minimum fine of $300, with no maximum specified in statute.
- A second offense within ten years increased the minimum fine to $500, and a third or more increased it to $750 plus up to six months in jail.
- The reason for the suspension — traffic violation, unpaid fine, or insurance lapse — affected both the fine amount and whether additional penalties applied.
- Court costs, license reinstatement fees, and possible ignition interlock installation added to the total cost beyond the stated fine.
- Jail time was possible on a third or subsequent offense, though first and second offenses typically resulted in fines alone.
How Louisiana classified suspension types in 2019
Louisiana's Office of Motor Vehicles suspended licenses for three main reasons, and the penalty structure reflected which one applied to you. A suspension for a traffic violation (such as reckless driving or accumulating too many points) was treated differently from a suspension for failure to pay a traffic fine or failure to maintain liability insurance. If your suspension was administrative — meaning the DMV suspended it without a court order — the penalties were often lower than if a court had ordered the suspension as part of a criminal sentence.
The distinction mattered because some suspensions were mandatory minimums set by statute, while others gave judges discretion. For example, a suspension tied to a DUI conviction carried mandatory minimums that were higher than a suspension for an unpaid parking ticket. Understanding which category your suspension fell into helped you predict what a court might impose.
Jail time and license revocation as additional consequences
While a first offense in 2019 typically resulted in a fine alone, a third or subsequent offense within ten years could include jail time of up to six months. Louisiana courts had discretion to impose jail time on any offense, but it was most common on repeat violations. The jail sentence was separate from the fine — you could be ordered to pay both.
Separate from the criminal penalty, driving with a suspended license could also trigger a new suspension or extend an existing one. If you were convicted, the court could order an additional suspension period beyond what was already in place. This meant that the penalty was not just the fine and possible jail time, but also lost driving privileges for a longer period than you originally faced.
Court costs and reinstatement fees added to the total penalty
The $300 to $750 fine was not the only money you owed. Louisiana courts assessed court costs on top of the fine — the amount varied by parish but typically ranged from $50 to $150. Once you paid the fine and court costs, you then had to pay the Office of Motor Vehicles a reinstatement fee to restore your license, which in 2019 was $100 for most suspensions.
If your suspension was related to an unpaid traffic fine, you also had to pay that original fine before the DMV would reinstate your license. This meant the total cost could easily exceed $500 on a first offense when all fees were combined. Some courts offered payment plans, but you had to request one at your court appearance.
Ignition interlock requirements for alcohol-related suspensions
If your suspended license was the result of a DUI conviction or refusal to submit to a breath test, Louisiana in 2019 required installation of an ignition interlock device before you could drive again. The device cost $50 to $100 to install and $60 to $100 per month to maintain. You bore the cost, and you had to keep the device installed for the entire period of your suspension — sometimes one year or longer.
The interlock requirement was mandatory, not optional, and you could not remove it early even if you paid all fines and court costs. Tampering with or removing the device was itself a criminal offense. If you needed to drive for work or medical reasons during the suspension period, you could request a hardship license, but you still had to have the interlock installed on any vehicle you drove.
How to learn about your 2019 suspension is still active
If you received a suspension in 2019 and did not pay the fine or complete the reinstatement process, your license may still be suspended today. You can check the status of your Louisiana license through the Office of Motor Vehicles website or by calling their customer service line. You will need your driver's license number or Social Security number to look up your record.
If your suspension is still active, you owe the original fine plus court costs, the reinstatement fee, and any additional fines that may have accrued if you continued to drive after the suspension. The longer you wait, the more you may owe — some parishes add late fees or refer unpaid fines to collection agencies. The fastest way to resolve it is to contact the court that issued the suspension and ask about payment options or a hearing to contest the suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a hardship license while my license is suspended?
Yes, Louisiana allows hardship licenses for certain reasons — work, medical treatment, or court-ordered programs. You must petition the court that suspended your license and show that you have a genuine need to drive. The court has discretion to grant or deny the request, and if approved, the hardship license is usually limited to specific routes and times.
What happens if I get caught driving with a suspended license a second time?
A second offense within ten years in 2019 carried a minimum fine of $500, and the court could impose jail time at its discretion. Your license suspension would be extended, and you would owe a new reinstatement fee once you resolved the second charge. The ten-year window means that offenses more than ten years apart are treated as separate first offenses.
Do I have to pay the fine before my license is reinstated?
Yes. The Office of Motor Vehicles will not reinstate your license until the court confirms that you have paid the fine and all court costs. You must also pay the reinstatement fee itself. Some courts allow you to set up a payment plan, but your license remains suspended until the full amount is paid or the plan is in place.
If I was suspended in 2019 but never paid, can I still be prosecuted now?
Yes. Louisiana has no statute of limitations on traffic fines, and the suspension remains active indefinitely until you resolve it. If you were stopped for any reason, you could be charged with driving with a suspended license again. The best course is to contact the court that issued the original suspension and resolve the matter.