Driving Laws, Repeal of License Fee Hike Sent to Louisiana Gov.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has signed one law imposing new restrictions on drivers in his state and another is awaiting his signature. In addition, Jindal has agreed to repeal an increase in drivers license fees that was enacted earlier this year.

Louisiana’s current ban on text messaging while driving gets tougher in August, when a bill that makes texting while driving a primary offense goes into effect. Under Senate Bill 9, police officers can stop a driver for that traffic violation without needing another reason. Minors 17 and under can be stopped simply for using a cell phone.

The change takes effect Aug. 15. Before that, a driver can only be cited for texting while driving if a police officer stops the driver for another alleged violation.

Penalties for sending text messages while behind the wheel – with an exception for emergencies – can reach up to $175 for the first offense and $500 for subsequent offenses.

A House vote also has sent to Jindal a bill imposing new restrictions and requirements for young drivers.

House Bill 1339 by Rep. Hollis Downs, R-Ruston, takes effect Jan. 1. It says that drivers who want to move up from a learner’s permit to a driver’s license will have to have 50 hours of driving experience with a parent, guardian or adult, instead of the current requirement of 35 hours. The extra 15 hours must be driven at night.

Also, licensed 16-year-olds driving without adult supervision will be prohibited from carrying more than one passenger under age 21, except for family members, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 5 a.m.

The cost of a Louisiana driver’s license will drop by $15, after Gov. Bobby Jindal agreed to repeal the recent increase enacted by his administration and overwhelmingly rejected by lawmakers. Jindal signed the repeal bill by Sen. Joe McPherson into law.

The move returns the price of a new or renewed basic license to $21.50 and ends complaints from lawmakers who said the hike was inappropriate by a governor who repeatedly talks of opposing tax increases.

The governor had wanted $13.6 million annually to be raised by the higher fee to help cover costs for state police.

McPherson’s bill strips the authority used to raise the price and requires payment of a refund to anyone who has paid the increase since it began March 8.

SB9, SB 407 and HB 1339 can be found at www.legis.state.la.us