In Louisiana, missing the deadline to request a defensive driving course can cost you the chance to have an eligible traffic charge dismissed. Article 892.1 sets the request deadline and the time allowed to complete the course. Before enrolling in a louisiana defensive driving course, check your citation, eligibility, and court procedures.
Three Deadlines and Eligibility Rules to Check
Article 892.1 sets the timing for a louisiana defensive driving course, and three dates control it.
The Request Must Reach the Court by the Appearance Date
You can make the request orally or in writing, in person or by mail, and a mailed request counts only when it is postmarked on or before the appearance date printed on your ticket. Follow the filing procedure the court sets. In most cases the court requires a plea of guilty or no contest before it defers the sentence, though the statute provides an exception for drivers aged 16 or younger. Paying the ticket outright gives up the option.
The Certificate Is Due Within Ninety Days of Deferral
Once the court defers sentencing, you have 90 days to present a certificate of completion. The statute names no separate enrollment deadline, only the 90-day limit for filing the finished certificate with the court.
A Course in the Past Two Years Blocks a New One
You cannot use the option if your record shows a course completed under this article within the two years before the date of the offense. You also file an affidavit confirming that you are not currently taking a course and have no unrecorded completion.
Which Charges a Louisiana Court Can Dismiss
Article 892.1 covers eligible misdemeanor traffic offenses under Title 32. The court decides whether the charge qualifies and whether to grant the request. The deferred-sentencing option also requires a valid driver's license or permit, a qualifying driving record, and compliance with the other requirements in the statute.
- Minor moving violations can qualify, such as ordinary speeding under 25 mph over the limit, an improper lane change, following too closely, or a stop-sign violation.
- Speeding 25 mph or more over the posted limit does not qualify.
- Criminal charges under Title 14, such as DWI or reckless operation, are excluded.
- Commercial drivers should check whether the violation could affect their commercial driving privileges. Article 892.1 does not override federal or state rules governing CDL disqualifications.
The Court Fee May Be Nonrefundable
Article 892.1 allows the court to charge an administrative fee of up to $10. If you request the course and later decide not to complete it, the court fee is not refundable. The course itself and any fines or costs for the offense are separate expenses. Ask the clerk how your court handles payment and when the fee is due.
Before paying, ask the clerk how the court handles the completion certificate and whether you must submit it yourself. Keep your receipt and certificate until the court confirms that your case has been processed.
What Dismissal Means for Your Driving Record
After the court approves your course certificate, the traffic charge is dismissed and the conviction is removed under Article 892.1. The dismissed charge cannot be included in your driving record or used for another purpose. The state does keep a record of your course completion, including the date, to check whether you qualify to use Article 892.1 again within two years. Louisiana's procedure is about dismissal of an eligible charge, not removal of points from a DMV point system.
Insurance Discounts After Defensive Driving
Drivers may qualify for an auto insurance discount of up to 10% after completing a qualifying defensive driving course in Louisiana. The course must meet state certification rules, and the discount does not apply when a court orders the driver to attend. Insurers also have to meet the requirements in Louisiana Revised Statutes § 22:1457.
If you’re looking to lower your premium, check with your insurer before choosing a course. Ask whether it accepts the course and what completion record you’ll need to provide.
Confirm the Rules With the Court Named on Your Citation
Before enrolling in a louisiana defensive driving course, check with the court handling your citation. Ask whether your charge qualifies, whether the court accepts the online program you plan to take, and how to submit your completion certificate. ETS Traffic School offers a Louisiana course online, but the court must confirm whether it will accept that course for your case.
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