Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024
A. At the time of a
law enforcement stop, if the operator of the vehicle is found to have a
suspended license and it is further determined that operator is the sole owner
of the vehicle the following will occur.
1.
Notice of suspension ticket will be issued to the operator of the
vehicle.
2. A sticker will be
placed on the back of the rear windshield of the vehicle being
operated.
3. The law enforcement
office will remove the plate from the vehicle.
4. The officer will turn the ticket and the
plate into the local Office of Motor Vehicles office within three business
days.
B. Upon receipt of
the notice of suspension, the Office of Motor Vehicles will confirm the
operator is the sole owner of the vehicle and their operating privileges were
suspended at the time of the violation.
C. The owner/operator of the vehicle has 10
business days upon receiving the violation to clear their driving record of all
fines and suspensions with the proper compliance to have their plate returned
to them.
D. If the owner does not
clear all fines and suspensions within the 10 business days of the issuance of
the violation, the Office of Motor Vehicles will destroy the plate. Operators
complying with the law after ten business days will be required to purchase a
replacement plate and pay any applicable registration fees.
E. After the expiration of the 10 day period,
the vehicle shall not be operated on the public streets and highways until the
motor vehicle is registered in accordance with this law. In the event the motor
vehicle is being driven after the expiration of the temporary sticker, the
motor vehicle shall be impounded.
F.
1. A
hardship license plate will be issued for the vehicle being operated at the
time of the violation if the applicant submits an application for hardship
plate and provides sufficient documentation and information substantiating the
claim that the removal of the vehicle's license plate and the suspension or
revocation of his driving privileges will deprive him or his family of the
necessities of life, or will prevent him or his family from earning a
livelihood.
2. If the department
finds that the removal of the vehicle's license plate and the suspension or
revocation of his driving privileges will deprive him or his family of the
necessities of life, or will prevent him or his family from earning a
livelihood, the department may issue a hardship license plate to be placed on
the motor vehicle.
3. A hardship
license plate shall be a valid plate type on all motor vehicles with the
exception of those operating under one of the following plate types at the time
of the violation. The following plate types at the time of the violation shall
be eligible for reissue of the same plate type. The vehicle record will be
flagged as having been issued a notice of suspension and use of the vehicle is
being permitted as a result of a departmentally approved hardship:
a. mobility impaired plate;
b. hearing impaired plate;
c. disabled veteran plate;
d. forest plate;
e. gravel plate;
f. city use plate;
g. farm plate.
4. A hardship license plate is not a drivers
license, and is not an authorization to drive for a person whose driving
privileges are suspended or otherwise denied. Any person operating a motor
vehicle with a hardship plate shall possess a valid drivers license at all
times, and such person shall comply with all laws regulating drivers licenses
and driving privileges.
AUTHORITY NOTE:
Promulgated in accordance with
R.S.
32:415.2
(D)(1).
