Louisiana

Administrative

Administrative Per Se: The Louisiana DMV takes action on your license only. This happens if you fail a breath test, or refuse to take one. Your license is confiscated immediately upon arrest and you are given a 30-day temporary driving permit. If you wish to challenge your suspension, you must do so within 15 days. If you do not, or if your challenge is unsuccessful, your license will be suspended for six months. There can be other administrative penalties for DWI, apart from ones levied by the courts.

Judicial

Judicial Action: This occurs when you are sentenced by a court after a trial or plea agreement. Louisiana administrative and judicial cases are separate and must be dealt with separately. It is possible that you are not convicted of DWI in court, but will still face administrative suspension. Penalties are higher if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 2.0 or higher upon arrest. An ignition interlock is required for a 1^st offense if your BAC was 2.0 or higher or for 2^nd and subsequent offenses. When your license is suspended, if you need to drive for work purposes, you can apply for a hardship license. In order to obtain the license after a DWI conviction, you must have an ignition interlock device installed.

Every situation and state is unique, please consult with your attorney or your state licensing authority to confirm your requirements and obligations.

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