Louisiana Laws - Louisiana State Legislature

RS 32:412

§412. Amount of fees; credit or refund; duration of license; veteran designation; disabled veteran designation; university logo; "I'm a Cajun" designation; needs accommodation designation; autism spectrum disorder designation; disbursement of funds; renewal by mail or electronic commerce of Class "D" or "E" drivers' licenses; disposition of certain fees; exception

A.(1) Every applicant for a Class "D" driver's license, or for a renewal of a Class "D" driver's license, except those bona fide residents of the city of New Orleans, shall pay for such basic license a fee of forty-two dollars and seventy-five cents. Eleven dollars and fifteen cents of the fee shall be paid to the Louisiana State Police Retirement System Fund. One dollar and fifty cents of the fee shall be forwarded by the department to the litter abatement account which is created within the Conservation Fund through the provisions of R.S. 56:10(B)(15).

(2) The fee for Class "D" driver's licenses, or renewal of a Class "D" driver's license, issued to bona fide residents of the city of New Orleans shall be fifty-four dollars, fifteen dollars of which shall be payable by the department to the board of trustees of the police pension fund of the city of New Orleans. One dollar and eighty-four cents of the fee shall be paid to the Louisiana State Police Retirement System Fund. One dollar and fifty cents of the fee shall be forwarded by the department to the litter abatement account which is created within the Conservation Fund through the provisions of R.S. 56:10(B)(15).

(3) There shall be a fee of seven dollars and fifty cents for an emergency vehicle endorsement for any vehicle group.

(4)(a) A Class "D" driver's license shall expire on the anniversary of the birthday of the applicant which is nearest to a period of six years subsequent to the issuing of the license, unless suspended, revoked, or canceled prior to that time.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph, the department may issue the license for a period of less than six years in circumstances of medical limitation, limitation on lawful presence, or other special restrictions. When the department issues a license to a properly documented alien student or nonresident alien, the license shall both:

(i) Expire on the date on which the alien's documents which demonstrate lawful presence expire, if sooner than the date specified in Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph.

(ii) Contain a restriction code which declares that the license holder is an alien student or a nonresident alien.

(5) Every applicant for a Class "E" driver's license, or for a renewal of a Class "E" driver's license, except those bona fide residents of the city of New Orleans, shall pay for such basic license a fee of twenty dollars and twenty-five cents, which shall be the cost of such basic license. Five dollars and sixty-three cents of the fee shall be paid to the Louisiana State Police Retirement System Fund. One dollar and fifty cents of the fee shall be forwarded by the department to the litter abatement account which is created within the Conservation Fund through the provisions of R.S. 56:10(B)(15).

(6) The fee for a Class "E" driver's license, or renewal of a Class "E" driver's license, issued to bona fide residents of the city of New Orleans shall be twenty dollars and twenty-five cents, three dollars and seventy-five cents of which shall be paid by the department to the board of trustees of the police pension funds of the city of New Orleans. Three dollars and seventy-five cents of the fee shall be paid to the Louisiana State Police Retirement System Fund. One dollar and fifty cents of the fee shall be forwarded by the department to the litter abatement account which is created within the Conservation Fund through the provisions of R.S. 56:10(B)(15).

(7)(a) A Class "E" driver's license shall expire on the anniversary of the birthday of the applicant which is nearest to a period of six years subsequent to the issuing of the license, unless suspended, revoked, or canceled.

(i) Expire on the date on which the alien's immigration documents expire, if sooner than the date specified in Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph.

(ii) Contain a restriction code which declares that the license holder is an alien student or a nonresident alien.

B.(1) Every applicant for a Class "A", "B", or "C" commercial driver's license, or for a renewal of a basic Class "A", "B", or "C" commercial driver's license, except for those bona fide residents of the city of New Orleans, shall pay for such basic license a fee of sixty-one dollars and fifty cents. Sixteen dollars and twenty cents of the fee shall be paid to the Louisiana State Police Retirement System Fund. One dollar and fifty cents of the fee shall be forwarded by the department to the litter abatement account which is created within the Conservation Fund through the provisions of R.S. 56:10(B)(15).

(2) The fee for a basic Class "A", "B", or "C" commercial driver's license, or for the renewal of a basic Class "A", "B", or "C" commercial driver's license, issued to bona fide residents of the city of New Orleans shall be seventy-six dollars and fifty cents, fifteen dollars of which fee shall be paid by the department to the board of trustees of the police pension fund of the city of New Orleans. Fifteen dollars of the fee shall be paid to the Louisiana State Police Retirement System Fund. One dollar and fifty cents of the fee shall be forwarded by the department to the litter abatement account which is created within the Conservation Fund through the provisions of R.S. 56:10(B)(15).

(3) In addition to the basic fee, there shall be a skills test fee of not more than sixty dollars for commercial drivers' licenses in Class "A", "B", or "C". This fee shall be charged by the department or by a third party tester, whichever administers the test. The department may increase the maximum amount of this fee to reflect increased costs. The increased maximum fee shall be established by rule adopted in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, subject to oversight by the House of Representatives and Senate Committees on Transportation, Highways and Public Works. If the department elects to administer skills tests for commercial drivers' licenses in Class "A", "B", or "C", the department may charge fees for those tests. The amount of those fees shall be established in accordance with the provisions of this Paragraph. If an applicant for a commercial driver's license in Class "A", "B", or "C" has successfully completed a skills test administered by a third party, the department shall not charge a skills test fee.

(4) The application fee shall be fifteen dollars which is nonrefundable.

(5) There shall be a fee of seven dollars and fifty cents for each endorsement to the basic licenses listed in R.S. 32:408(B).

(6) Repealed by Acts 1995, No. 151, §2.

(7)(a)(i) A Class "C" commercial driver's license not carrying an endorsement permitting the transportation of material found to be hazardous for purposes of the Federal Hazardous Material Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq. or under state law or regulation shall expire on the anniversary of the birthday of the applicant which is nearest to a date of six years subsequent to the issuing of the license, unless revoked, canceled, or suspended prior to that time.

(ii) Notwithstanding the provisions of Item (i) of this Subparagraph, the department may issue the license for a period of less than six years in circumstances of medical limitations, limitation on lawful presence, or other special restrictions. When the department issues a license to a properly documented alien student or nonresident alien, the license shall both:

(aa) Expire on the date on which the alien's immigration documents expire, if sooner than the date specified in Item (i) of this Subparagraph.

(bb) Contain a restriction code which declares that the license holder is an alien student or a nonresident alien.

(b)(i) A Class "C" commercial driver's license carrying an endorsement permitting the transportation of materials found to be hazardous for purposes of the Federal Hazardous Material Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq. or under state law or regulation shall expire on the anniversary of the birthday of the applicant which is nearest to a date of six years subsequent to the issuing of the license, unless revoked, canceled, or suspended prior to that time.

(ii) Notwithstanding the provisions of Item (i) of this Subparagraph, the department may issue the license for a period of less than six years in circumstances of medical limitation, limitation on lawful presence, or other special restrictions. When the department issues a license to a properly documented alien student or nonresident alien, the license shall both:

(aa) Expire on the date on which the alien's immigration documents expire, if sooner than the date specified in Item (i) of this Subparagraph.

(bb) Contain a restriction code which declares that the license holder is an alien student or a nonresident alien.

(c)(i) A Class "B" commercial driver's license shall expire on the anniversary of the birthday of the applicant which is nearest to a date of six years subsequent to the issuing of the license, unless revoked, canceled, or suspended prior to that time.

(ii) Notwithstanding the provisions of Item (i) of this Subparagraph, the department may issue the license for a period of less than six years in circumstances of medical limitation, limitation on lawful presence, or other special restrictions. When the department issues a license to a properly documented alien student or nonresident alien, the license shall both:

(aa) Expire on the date on which the alien's immigration documents expire, if sooner than the date specified in Item (i) of this Subparagraph.

(bb) Contain a restriction code which declares that the license holder is an alien student or a nonresident alien.

(d)(i) A Class "A" commercial driver's license shall expire on the anniversary of the birthday of the applicant which is nearest to a date of six years subsequent to the issuing of the license, unless revoked, canceled, or suspended prior to that time.

(ii) Notwithstanding the provisions of Item (i) of this Subparagraph, the department may issue the license for a period of less than six years in circumstances of medical limitation, limitation on lawful presence, or other special restrictions. When the department issues a license to a properly documented alien student or nonresident alien, the license shall both:

(aa) Expire on the date on which the alien's immigration documents expire, if sooner than the date specified in Item (i) of this Subparagraph.

(bb) Contain a restriction code which declares that the license holder is an alien student or a nonresident alien.

(e)(i)(aa) Every applicant seventy years of age or older for a Class "E" driver's license, or for the renewal of a Class "E" driver's license, except those bona fide residents of the city of New Orleans, shall pay for such basic license a fee of six dollars and seventy-five cents, which shall be the cost of the license. The license shall expire on the anniversary of the birthday of the applicant which is nearest to a date of six years subsequent to the issuing of the license, unless revoked, canceled, or suspended.

(I) Expire on the date on which the alien's immigration documents expire, if sooner than the date specified in Subitem (aa) of this Item.

(II) Contain a restriction code which declares that the license holder is an alien student or a nonresident alien.

(cc) Seventy-five cents of the fee shall be paid to the office of state police. Two dollars and seventy-five cents of the fee shall be paid to the Louisiana State Police Retirement System Fund. One dollar and fifty cents of the fee shall be forwarded by the department to the litter abatement account which is created within the Conservation Fund through the provisions of R.S. 56:10(B)(15).

(dd)(I) Every applicant seventy years of age or older for a Class "D" driver's license, or for the renewal of a Class "D" driver's license, except those bona fide residents of the city of New Orleans, shall pay for such basic license a fee of twenty-two dollars and thirteen cents, which shall be the cost of the license. The license shall expire on the anniversary of the birthday of the applicant which is nearest to a date of six years subsequent to the issuing of the license, unless revoked, canceled, or suspended.

(II) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsubitem (I) of this Subitem, the department may issue the license for a period of less than six years in circumstances of medical limitation, limitation on lawful presence, or other special restriction. When the department issues a license to a properly documented alien student or nonresident alien, the license shall both expire on the date for which the alien's immigration documents expire, if sooner than the date specified in Subsubitem (I) of this Subitem, and contain a restriction code which declares that the license holder is an alien student or a nonresident alien.

(ee) Five dollars and fifty-six cents of the fee shall be paid to the Louisiana State Police Pension and Retirement System Fund. One dollar and fifty cents of the fee shall be forwarded by the department to the litter abatement account which is created within the Conservation Fund through the provisions of R.S. 56:10(B)(15).

(ii)(aa) Every applicant seventy years of age or older for a Class "E" driver's license, or for the renewal of a Class "E" driver's license, issued to bona fide residents of the city of New Orleans, shall pay for such basic license a fee of six dollars and seventy-five cents, which shall be the cost of the license. This license shall expire on the anniversary of the birthday of the applicant which is nearest to a date of six years subsequent to the issuing of the license, unless revoked, canceled, or suspended.

(bb) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subitem (aa) of this Item, the department may issue the license for a period of less than six years in circumstances of medical limitation, limitation on lawful presence, or other special restriction. When the department issues a license to a properly documented alien student or nonresident alien, that license shall both expire on the date for which the alien's immigration documents expire, if sooner than the date specified in Subitem (aa) of this Item, and contain a restriction code which declares that the license holder is an alien student or a nonresident alien.

(cc) One dollar and fifty cents of the fee shall be paid to the Board of Trustees of the Police Pension Fund of the city of New Orleans. One dollar and fifty cents of the fee shall be paid to the State Police Pension and Retirement Fund. One dollar and fifty cents of the fee shall be forwarded by the department to the litter abatement account which is created within the Conservation Fund through the provisions of R.S. 56:10(B)(15).

(dd)(I) Every applicant seventy years of age or older for a Class "D" driver's license, or for the renewal of a Class "D" driver's license, issued to bona fide residents of the city of New Orleans, shall pay for such basic license a fee of twenty-seven dollars and seventy-five cents, which shall be the cost of the license. This license shall expire on the anniversary of the birthday of the applicant which is nearest to a date of six years subsequent to the issuing of the license, unless revoked, canceled, or suspended.

(ee) Seven dollars and fifty cents of the fee shall be payable by the department to the board of trustees of the police pension fund of the city of New Orleans. Ninety-two cents of the fee shall be paid to the State Police Pension and Retirement Fund. One dollar and fifty cents of the fee shall be forwarded by the department to the litter abatement account which is created within the Conservation Fund through the provisions of R.S. 56:10(B)(15).

(8) Persons who hold certain specified licenses issued by the office of motor vehicles and who apply for other specified licenses issued by the office of motor vehicles shall receive credit for the unexpired portion of the first license. The credit shall be computed in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph (9) of this Subsection. As used in this Paragraph, the phrase "prior provisions of law" means provisions of law in effect prior to the effectiveness of Act No. 293 of the 1989 Regular Session of the Legislature (the "Commercial Drivers License Law"). The three circumstances in which credit shall be given are as follows:

(a) When a person who holds a Class "B", "C", or "D" license issued under prior provisions of law applies for a Class "A", "B", or "C" commercial driver's license issued under current provisions of law.

(b) When a person who holds a Class "B", "C", or "D" license issued under current provisions of law applies for a commercial driver's license of a higher class.

(c) When a person who holds a Class "A" driver's license issued under prior provisions of law or a Class "E" personal vehicle driver's license issued under current provisions of law applies for any commercial driver's license or chauffeur's license.

(9) The credit shall be computed on a basis under which each month from the date of the issuance of the existing license to the date of the expiration of the license shall be given an equal monetary value. The applicant shall be given credit toward the fee for the license for which the applicant has applied based on the monetary value of the remaining months of validity of the existing license. In computing the credit, only whole months shall be used.

C.(1) The addition of a motorcycle or motor scooter endorsement to a basic license will require, besides the specific examination for such vehicles, the payment of an additional fee of twelve dollars. If the motorcycle endorsement is to any license which is valid for less than six years, the fee for the endorsement will be six dollars.

(2) Notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary and subject to the exceptions contained in Article VII, Section 9(A) of the Constitution of Louisiana, the amount of seven dollars and fifty cents from the fee for a motorcycle or motor scooter endorsement to a basic license, or the amount of three dollars from the fee if the motorcycle endorsement for any person is to a license that is valid for only less than six years shall be credited to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund. After a sufficient amount is allocated from that fund to pay all obligations secured by the full faith and credit of the state which become due and payable within any fiscal years, the treasurer shall pay an amount equal to the fees paid into the Bond Security and Redemption Fund pursuant to this Paragraph into a special agency account which is hereby created in the state treasury and designated as the "Motorcycle Safety, Awareness, and Operator Training Program Dedicated Fund Account", to be referred to as the "account". The monies credited to the account shall be used solely for operator training, instructor training, and motorcycle safety and awareness programs. Any unexpended and unencumbered monies remaining to the credit of the account on June thirtieth of each year, after all appropriations of the preceding fiscal year have been made, shall revert to the state general fund. The monies in the account shall be expended solely from year to year as appropriated by the legislature for the purposes of motorcycle safety and awareness and operator training. Any amounts earned through investment of the monies in the account shall revert to the state general fund. Funding deposited into the account shall be considered fees and self-generated revenues and shall be available for annual appropriations by the legislature.

D.(1) Upon application and payment of the fee imposed by this Chapter and subject to the requirements of R.S. 32:408, a license shall be renewable on or before its expiration. An application for renewal may be made at any time within one hundred and eighty days prior to expiration unless the renewal is otherwise restricted by the department.

(2) Each person who is less than seventy years of age and who applies for the renewal of a license which expired more than ten days prior to the date of the application shall pay a late fee of fifteen dollars. The late fee shall not affect the criminal penalties imposed by R.S. 32:402 and 427.

(3) A Class "D" or "E" operator's license may be renewed by mail or electronic commerce, except as follows:

(a) No renewal by mail or electronic commerce shall be granted to any person who is seventy years of age or older.

(b) No renewal by mail or electronic commerce shall be granted if the license was renewed by mail or electronic commerce at the last occurrence of its expiration.

(c) No renewal by mail or electronic commerce shall be granted if the previously issued license has been expired for more than twelve months, or has been suspended, revoked, canceled, or lost, or if it is in the possession of a law enforcement agency as a result of an accusation that the driver has violated a traffic law. A Class "D" or "E" driver's license may be renewed by mail or electronic commerce if the license has been expired for a period of twelve months or less and the applicant is otherwise eligible to renew the license by mail or electronic commerce. An applicant for renewal by mail or electronic commerce of an expired Class "D" or "E" driver's license shall pay a special late fee of ten dollars. There shall be no grace period for imposition of the special late fee.

(d) The department may establish rules and regulations to grant or deny renewal by mail in cases where a Louisiana resident is temporarily domiciled out of state or out of country, or temporarily residing, employed, or attending school in another state or foreign country, even if the resident does not meet the qualification criteria under this Section.

(e) No renewal by mail or electronic commerce shall be granted to alien students or nonresident aliens.

(f) Notwithstanding Subparagraphs (a) and (b) of this Paragraph, a renewal by mail may be granted to a person seventy years of age or older who is medically diagnosed with a disability that precludes that person from renewing their license in person.

(4) The renewal by mail or electronic commerce shall include the following:

(a) A statement from the applicant that he has not experienced any loss of consciousness other than normal sleep and has no current physical or mental condition which would impair his ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.

(b) Repealed by Acts 1995, No. 1015, §2.

(c) A statement from the applicant indicating that all motor vehicles owned by the applicant are covered by liability insurance or security and said coverage will be maintained until such time as a vehicle is no longer utilized on the highways of this state, or until a vehicle is transferred to another.

(d) If the person seeking the renewal is seventy years of age or older, a sworn affidavit by a physician certifying that the person possesses all cognitive functions reasonably necessary to be a prudent driver.

(5) Upon receipt of the required statements by the department and upon renewal of the license, the state shall not be liable for any property damages, injuries, or deaths that may arise from an applicant's involvement in an accident where said accident can be attributed to the applicant's medical condition that may have existed which rendered him incapable of operating a motor vehicle safely.

(6) When a license is renewed by mail or electronic commerce, the secretary shall issue a new license which indicates the new expiration date.

(7) The secretary of the department, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, shall promulgate rules and regulations as are necessary to implement the provisions of Paragraphs (3), (4), (5), and (6) of this Subsection.

(8) The ten-dollar special late fee for the renewal of an expired Class "D" or "E" driver's license by mail or electronic commerce shall be forwarded to the state treasurer for deposit into the Office of Motor Vehicles Customer Service and Technology Dedicated Fund Account created pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 32:429.2.

E. If the failure to make timely application is attributable to the fact that the applicant has had no occasion to operate a motor vehicle since the expiration date, then the additional fee shall be waived upon the filing of an affidavit by the applicant to evidence this fact.

F.(1) The Louisiana driver's license, regardless of its class, issued to any person who serves in the Peace Corps or the armed forces of the United States stationed outside the state of Louisiana, and his dependents who are residing with him, if such license has not been revoked or suspended, shall be considered valid during the period of service in the armed forces or the Peace Corps and for a period of sixty days after discharge from such service. Any person to whom this Subsection applies shall be exempt from any late fees provided the person makes an application for renewal within sixty days of the date in which the applicant, or the person upon whom the applicant is dependent, is discharged from the armed forces or terminates his service with the Peace Corps.

(2) Any person to whom this Subsection applies, while operating a motor vehicle, shall carry upon his person the last license issued to him and conclusive evidence that he is a member of the United States armed forces or the Peace Corps, and if discharged from the armed forces, a copy of such discharge or proof of his last date of service with the Peace Corps. The dependent of a person in such service shall carry upon his person the last license issued to him and copies of conclusive evidence that the person upon whom they are dependent is a member of the armed forces or the Peace Corps, and if such person has been discharged or has terminated his position with the Peace Corps, a copy of such discharge or proof of his last date of service with the Peace Corps, respectively.

(3) As used in this Subsection, the term "dependent" means a spouse or minor child.

G. It shall be unlawful for any person to drive a motor vehicle on any public street, road, or highway of this state with an expired driver's license.

H. Each person who takes a test a second or subsequent time, whether written or driving, which is administered by the office of motor vehicles in connection with an application for the issuance or renewal of a driver's license shall pay a testing fee. The fee shall not be refundable. The office of motor vehicles shall establish the fee by rule adopted in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. The amount of the fee shall not exceed ten dollars. The fees collected under the provisions of this Subsection shall be deposited immediately upon receipt into the state treasury.

(2),(3) Repealed by Acts 2012, No. 834, §13, eff. July 1, 2012.

I.(1) The Louisiana driver's license, regardless of its class, issued to any person who is required to register as a sex offender pursuant to R.S. 15:542 and R.S. 15:542.1 shall contain a restriction code which declares that the license holder is a sex offender. The secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall comply with the provisions of this Subsection and the driver's license shall include the words "sex offender" which shall be orange in color.

(2) Any person to whom this Subsection applies shall carry upon his person the last driver's license issued to him.

(3) The department shall issue a license required pursuant to this Subsection for a period of one year. When the department issues a license pursuant to this Subsection the license shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance.

(4) Any person to whom this Subsection applies shall personally appear at a motor vehicle field office to renew his driver's license every year, in addition to the yearly reregistration pursuant to R.S. 15:542 et seq. Reregistration shall include the submission of current information to the department and the verification of registration information, including the street address and telephone number of the registrant; name, street address and telephone number of the registrant's employer, and any other registration information that may need to be verified. Upon successful completion of reregistration, the bureau shall electronically transmit this fact to the office of motor vehicles which may then proceed to renew the driver's license. In order to reimburse the office of motor vehicles for the cost of a yearly issuance, the regular renewal fee shall be collected at each renewal pursuant to this Subsection.

(5) The provisions of this Subsection shall apply to all registered sex offenders regardless of the date of conviction.

J. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any child who is in foster care, as defined in Article 603 of the Louisiana Children's Code, may obtain a driver's license without charge.

K. Upon request, the word "Veteran" shall be exhibited in the color black below the person's photograph on the driver's license regardless of its class, upon presentation of a copy of the person's DD Form 214 issued by the United States Department of Defense, or equivalent, as established by administrative rule. No additional fee shall be charged to include such designation. The deputy secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, public safety services, shall comply with the provisions of this Subsection. The deputy secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, public safety services, shall establish rules and regulations as are necessary to implement the provisions of this Subsection.

L.(1) Upon request and payment of an additional fee, the designation "I'm a Cajun" shall be exhibited in the color black below the person's photograph on the driver's license regardless of its class. The deputy secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, public safety services, shall comply with the provisions of this Subsection.

(2) The department shall collect an annual fee of five dollars for inclusion of the designation "I'm a Cajun" on any class of driver's license, which fee shall be disbursed in accordance with Paragraph (3) of this Subsection. This fee shall be in addition to the payment of any driver's license fee.

(3) The monies received from the additional fee shall be disbursed quarterly by the department to the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana. The monies received from the additional five-dollar fee shall be disbursed solely to fund scholarships for the "La Fondation Louisiane for the Escadrille Louisiane" scholarship program of the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana.

(4) The deputy secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, public safety services, shall establish such rules and regulations as are necessary to implement the provisions of this Subsection.

M.(1) Upon request and payment of a university logo fee, if any, as established by any Louisiana university for the use and display of its logo, the logo of the university shall be exhibited in color on the driver's license regardless of its class. The deputy secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, public safety services, shall comply with the provisions of this Subsection.

(2) The department shall collect such university logo fee, if any, which shall be disbursed in accordance with Paragraph (3) of this Subsection. This university logo fee shall be in addition to the payment of any other driver's license fee.

(3) Any monies received from such university logo fees shall be disbursed quarterly by the department to the foundation of the university.

(5) Any implementation costs shall be incurred by the foundation of the university participating in the university logo program.

N. Upon request, the words "100% DAV" shall be exhibited in the color black below the person's photograph on the driver's license regardless of its class, upon presentation of a copy of the person's DD Form 214, issued by the United States Department of Defense or equivalent, and presentation of one hundred percent disabled veteran status as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, as established by administrative rule. No additional fee shall be charged to include such designation. The deputy secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, public safety services, shall comply with the provisions of this Subsection. The deputy secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, public safety services, shall establish rules and regulations as are necessary to implement the provisions of this Subsection.

O.(1) Upon request of an applicant for a driver's license who needs accommodation, a designation that the applicant needs accommodation shall be exhibited on the driver's license, upon presentation of a statement from a qualified medical professional licensed in Louisiana or any other state or territory of the United States verifying the medical reason, including any mental, physical, or developmental disability, the applicant needs accommodation as established by administrative rule. No additional fee shall be charged to include such designation.

(2) The deputy secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, public safety services, shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement this Subsection, including a waiver of liability for the release of any medical information. Such rules shall be effective no later than July 1, 2018. Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 49:966(B)(12), the Senate and House committees on transportation, highways and public works shall have oversight of the adoption of rules and regulations required by this Subsection.

(3) The designation authorized by this Subsection shall not be available prior to the effective date of the administrative rules required by Paragraph (2) of this Subsection.

P.(1) Upon request of an applicant for a driver's license, a designation that the applicant has autism spectrum disorder shall be exhibited on the driver's license upon presentation of a statement from a qualified medical or mental health professional licensed in Louisiana or any other state or territory of the United States verifying the applicant's disability as established by administrative rule. The qualified medical or mental health professional shall be authorized to diagnose autism spectrum disorder. No additional fee shall be charged to include such designation.

(2) Upon the renewal of a driver's license, a driver who has autism spectrum disorder shall provide a statement from a qualified medical or mental health professional licensed in Louisiana or any other state or territory of the United States verifying his disability as established by administrative rule.

(3) Any person who has not been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who willfully and falsely represents himself as having the qualifications to obtain the special designation authorized by this Section shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than two hundred fifty dollars, or shall be imprisoned for not more than thirty days, or both. Any subsequent offense shall result in a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars nor more than five hundred dollars, or imprisonment for not more than ninety days, or both.

(4) In addition to the requirements of R.S. 40:2404.2(C), the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, public safety services, shall establish and implement a law enforcement training course relative to law enforcement officers' interaction with persons who have autism spectrum disorder. The course shall instruct law enforcement officers on sensitivity and awareness to ensure equitable treatment and how to effectively communicate and interact with persons with autism spectrum disorder. At a minimum, the course shall include the following:

(a) Identification of indicators that a person has autism spectrum disorder.

(b) Identification of procedures that an officer should employ when encountering a person with autism spectrum disorder.

(c) Demonstrations of communication and interactive techniques required to effectively interact with a person with autism spectrum disorder.

(d) Explanations that provide law enforcement officers with an understanding of the developmental disability and examples of unexpected actions potentially taken by persons diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

(e) Explanations of the resources available to assist an officer encountering a person who has autism spectrum disorder.

(f) Descriptions of the procedures an officer should use to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act when encountering a person with autism spectrum disorder.

(5) The deputy secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, public safety services, shall promulgate rules and regulations as necessary to implement the provisions of this Subsection, including a waiver of liability for the release of any medical information. Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 49:966(B)(12), the House and Senate committees on transportation, highways and public works shall have oversight of the adoption of rules and regulations required by this Subsection.

Q. An applicant for any class of license may choose to donate one dollar in addition to any license fee required by this Section to the Louisiana Military Family Assistance Fund.

Acts 1991, No. 351, §1; Acts 1991, No. 389, §1; Acts 1991, No. 936, §1, eff. July 24, 1991; Acts 1993, No. 227, §1; Acts 1993, No. 348, §1; Acts 1993, No. 382, §1; Acts 1993, No. 578, §1; Acts 1993, No. 1027, §1, eff. June 27, 1993; Acts 1995, No. 151, §§1, 2; Acts 1995, No. 1015, §§1, 2; Acts 1997, No. 786, §1; Acts 2000, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 6, §1, eff. April 12, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 602, §1; Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 46, §2; Acts 2003, No. 417, §1; Acts 2003, No. 527, §2; Acts 2004, No. 363, §1, eff. Aug. 15, 2007; Acts 2006, No. 663, §2; Acts 2007, No. 190, §1; Acts 2009, No. 349, §1, eff. July 1, 2009; Acts 2011, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 9, §1; Acts 2011, No. 265, §§2, 6, eff. July 1, 2011; Acts 2012, No. 356, §1; Acts 2012, No. 398, §1; Acts 2012, No. 834, §§5, 13, eff. July 1, 2012; Acts 2013, No. 55, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2014; Acts 2014, No. 451, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2015; Acts 2014, No. 765, §1, eff. July 1, 2015; Acts 2014, No. 807, §1, eff. July 1, 2015; Acts 2015, No. 369, §1; Acts 2016, No. 394, §1; Acts 2016, No. 625, §1; Acts 2017, No. 74, §1; Acts 2018, No. 554, §1; Acts 2018, No. 612, §10, eff. July 1, 2020; Acts 2019, No. 404, §1, eff. July 1, 2020; Acts 2020, No. 137, §1; Acts 2021, No. 114, §18, eff. July 1, 2022; Acts 2022, No. 15, §2.