HISTORY: The Ryan Act was the first law allowed to be given a name in Louisiana instead of just a number. The Ryan Act is Louisiana's Graduating Driver's License law (GDL). The law was named after Ryan Lee , who was the son of George Lee, an executive director at the time over commercial driving schools in the state. The acronym RYAN stands for Reduce Youth Accidents Now .
LAWS: R.S. 32:402, 407 and Act No. 1039 and Act No.294 (new)
Stage 1: Learner's Permit (LP, OMV Code 02)
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Must complete a 38 hour driver education course (14 yr 9 mo start 30 hr driver education; 15 yrs to start 8 hrs driver training )
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15 & 16 yrs old may only apply for an LP
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Must pass visual exam (20/40 or better with or without corrective lenses)
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Must pass states knowledge, signs and signals test (80% to pass)
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May use with licensed 21 year old or licensed 18 year old sibling (training with a licensed sibling under 21 may not count toward 50 hours-see below)
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Must be maintained for at least 180 days, unless prior to such time the driver reaches seventeen , prior to being converted to an intermediate license.
Stage 2: Intermediate License (IM, OMV Code 61)
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Must be 16 years old to apply
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Must have had learner's permit at least 180 days prior
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Parent must sign affidavit applicant has practiced at least 50 Hours with licensed 21 yr old or older, of which 15 hrs must be nighttime.
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Must pass an on-road driving test provided by a 3rd part-tester or the State Office of Motor Vehicles (typically known as DMV)
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6 pm until 5 am: No more than one (1) non-family member under the age of 21 yrs old in the vehicle
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11 pm until 5 am: Curfew law time (only while under 17, unless accompanied by a licensed 21yr old or licenses 18 yr old sibling)
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Must have demonstrated accident free, except in cases where not at fault *
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Must have no convictions for moving violations *
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Received no convictions for violations of the seat belt law
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Received no violations of the curfew laws (see above) *
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Received no violations for any laws pertaining to drug and alcohol*
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These underlined must be for at least 12 months *
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Must not place the vehicle in motion unless all occupants are restrained
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The DMV may expand the term of the intermediate license if necessary *
* Contingent advancements. Violation of laws would delay advancement to the next licensing level. Advancement is contingent on having a violation-free driving record.
Stage 3 (Full License)
