Getting a driver's license (New Orleans, Baton Rouge: apartment complex, rental, car insurance)

[cartman]

What is the process for getting a Louisiana driver's license if you're coming from another state? Like what do I have to do first, next, etc., and how long does it take? I'm coming to Lafayette.

So I guess first I need to have a residence address, so when i come into town, the first thing I should do is get a place to live, right?

Then can I go down to the DMV right away and get a license? Or do I need car insurance first? I need to establish proof of residency as soon as possible or else I can't work, so I need a driver's license ASAP when I get there!

[darylwi]

Yeah, you need proof of insurance for a license (or at least you had to a few years back). You definitely do to have to register the vehicle.
You're supposed to do both within 60 days but they don't really enforce that, it would be nearly impossible to anyway.
Get a job using your current license. That should suffice. What job are you applying for that you have to have LA license? It's mainly for hiring purposes anyway, and background checks, and to make sure you're legal.
Then over the next few months, change everything over. People do it all the time.

[WestbankNOLA]

I know in the NO area you need SSN, Birth Certificate, Proof of Residence, Current out of state DL. They say bring proof of insurance but they never/rarely ask for it. For registering your vehicle and getting a Brake Tag you will need proof of insurance.

I don't know how it works in Lafayette, but here you stand in a line just so they can ask you why you are there, then they put you in another line based on your reason for being there, then you get a number and go to another line, etc.

[cartman]

Thanks, guys. Yeah, sounds like the same as out here in CA: stand in line, then go stand in another line, etc.

Well, I am a freelance court reporter, and so to get a license to work in LA, I need proof that I reside in the state, and for that, I need a driver's license.

Now, if anybody from Lafayette is reading this, if you know of a nice quiet, inexpensive apartment complex, I would appreciate any recommendations!

[Homesick4Home]

same as in Iberia Parish, SS #, Birth Certificate, Current DL, Proof of residence, and we had to show proof of insurance as well. I have heard that each parish is different..

[bustaduke]

Originally Posted by cartman

What is the process for getting a Louisiana driver's license if you're coming from another state? Like what do I have to do first, next, etc., and how long does it take? I'm coming to Lafayette.

So I guess first I need to have a residence address, so when i come into town, the first thing I should do is get a place to live, right?

Then can I go down to the DMV right away and get a license? Or do I need car insurance first? I need to establish proof of residency as soon as possible or else I can't work, so I need a driver's license ASAP when I get there!

Check out this site.

Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles Expresslane

You can get a license without insurance if you don't own a car. But the car you use for your divers license test has to have insurance and be registered in Louisiana.

If you do own a car you have to register it with the state and have proof of insurance before they will register it. You will have to pay a state tax when you register it even though you may have paid taxes on it where you came from.

When you go for your drivers license test you will need, proof of insurance for the car you are using, a recent bill like water or electric in your name with your new address on it, a SS card, and your first born.

Little hint if you want to save time and not stand in lines all day. Go to a drivers license place outside o the large cities, they are less crowded.

I live right outside of New Orleans but I go to Hahnville when I need a license because I can get in and out within 15 mins most of the time. If I went to Metairie it would take me most of the day to do the same.

busta

[WestbankNOLA]

Originally Posted by bustaduke

If you do own a car you have to register it with the state and have proof of insurance before they will register it. You will have to pay a state tax when you register it even though you may have paid taxes on it where you came from.

Depending on where cartman came from he can get up to the entire state tax credited

When you go for your drivers license test you will need, proof of insurance for the car you are using, a recent bill like water or electric in your name with your new address on it, a SS card, and your first born.

Add a lease or rental agreement to that list.

Little hint if you want to save time and not stand in lines all day. Go to a drivers license place outside o the large cities, they are less crowded.

I live right outside of New Orleans but I go to Hahnville when I need a license because I can get in and out within 15 mins most of the time. If I went to Metairie it would take me most of the day to do the same.

busta

The ones in Harvey and Algiers can get you out in say 20 min, but I avoid the one on Airline like the plague. I've known people to have gone to the Metairie OMV and stand in line two days in a row because the lines were so long.

[darylwi]

Actually, why wouldn't any bill statement work? Typically when I needed proof of residence, I was able to just show a bill statement. Sure, you need a residence, but you don't have to have a LA DL to rent or whatever. Needing an in-state DL as the only proof of residency doesn't make much sense unless there's some other stipulation involved.

[cartman]

Originally Posted by darylwi

Actually, why wouldn't any bill statement work? Typically when I needed proof of residence, I was able to just show a bill statement. Sure, you need a residence, but you don't have to have a LA DL to rent or whatever. Needing an in-state DL as the only proof of residency doesn't make much sense unless there's some other stipulation involved.

Well, I already told you, that's what they require for me to work in Louisiana. So I don't make the rules, and it's not up to me whether they make sense or not, I still can't work until I get my reporting license. And for that I need an in-state driver's license.

Thanks for the tip about going to a smaller town, too. I completely forgot about that.

[Rosinante]

Originally Posted by cartman

Thanks for the tip about going to a smaller town, too. I completely forgot about that.

People in Baton Rouge can take the Plaquemine Ferry across the river, then drive a few blocks up to Fort Street. On my various visits to the OMV there, I have been the ONLY customer in the place the past few times I've been there. I hope this doesn't mean that the state will close it down. In addition to saving all that time at the OMV, one can avoid BR's ghastly traffic and all of its inconsiderate drivers.