Louisiana DMV Handbook (LA Driver’s Manual) 2025

In Louisiana, all drivers, regardless of age, must obtain a learner’s permit before applying for a driver’s license. One crucial requirement to obtain a learner’s permit is to pass two official tests: a vision test and an official knowledge (permit) test on driving theory. You must take the permit test at a OMV office or an approved driving school, not online. Regardless of age, all drivers who have never held a license before must also complete a driver’s education course before taking the knowledge test. Because you won’t yet have a learner’s permit, you must obtain a Temporary Instructional Permit (TIP) to practice driving during the course. You must be at least 14 years old to obtain a TIP but at least 15 years old to practice driving with the TIP and apply for a learner’s permit.

To obtain a learner’s permit or license if you’re under 18, you must also provide signed consent from a parent or guardian and proof that you are either enrolled in or have graduated from high school or the equivalent (GED).

As a convenience, we have made available the official Louisiana OMV driver’s 2025 handbook (Louisiana DMV Handbook (LA Driver's Manual) 2025) in English and Spanish versions. Each version of this manual is in PDF format and can be easily downloaded from this webpage.

The OMV written permit test is based on information contained in the official manual. You should study this manual, but consider doing even more to be sure of passing this test. Our permit test preparation program goes beyond studying the official driver’s handbook by providing a graduated series of practice tests accompanied by our AI assistant. It can give you hints and explanations and answer your questions to help you learn.

We have also created an audiobook of the English version of the official driver’s manual. It’s formatted as a downloadable series of twelve MP3 files, one for each chapter of the handbook: getting a driver’s license; the highway transportation system; signs, signals, and pavement markings; and so on. The longest chapter is Chapter 5: Safe Driving Habits, whose running time is 1 hour, 24 minutes, and 9 seconds. The total running time of this audiobook is approximately 6 hours, 2 minutes, and 47 seconds, so it will likely take you several days to go through it once.

In addition to the official handbook, we also offer our own permit test study guide (available elsewhere on this website) to help you get ready for the day of your Louisiana knowledge test. It covers what documents to take to the OMV, frequently missed knowledge test questions, and other last-minute knowledge test tips.