Louisiana

ORV Visible Identification

Louisiana earned a C for its ORV registration and identification program. Read more from RTA's 2012 visible identification report. 

All off-road vehicles, model year 1987 and newer must be registered and display a numbered decal on the back.

Public Road Access

 Off-road vehicles are permitted on the shoulder section of all state and county roadways solely for agricultural purposes. Operation is limited to a five-mile radius from the owner’s farm. Operators must also possess a class “E” driver’s license and liability insurance in order to use the shoulder of public roads.

Community Voices Demand Action in Louisiana

Louisianans are increasingly voicing their concerns about a growing contingent of reckless riders who break the law, damage public and private land, injure themselves and others, and ruin hunting, fishing and hiking experiences for the rest of us. 

• "Tragic deaths in Southwest Louisiana this year point to safety issues regarding all-terrain vehicles. At least one state legislator, Rep. Clara Baudoin, D-Carencro, wants to address those issues. Her House Bill 747, filed during the spring 2007 Legislative session, would have required helmets and other protective gear, training and adult supervision for all ATV operators under the age of 16...The Legislature should revisit Baudoin's proposed legislation especially the provision that holds parents responsible for the safe use of the vehicles by their minor children and this time approve it." -- American Press Editorial Board, "All-terrain vehicles need stricter rules", American Press (9/13/08)

• "After the levee failures in Hurricane Katrina, every metro area resident ought to understand the importance of caring for and maintaining flood protection levees...Unfortunately, the illegal dumping is not the only example of individual residents neglecting levees after Katrina. Since that storm, officials and residents in parts of Jefferson, St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes have complained about people riding all-terrain vehicles on levees. The off-road vehicles can cut deep ruts into earthen levees and eventually cause problems that could lead to serious flood risks. The riders of those vehicles -- just like those residents now dumping debris and trash on the levees -- did not stop to think how their actions could hurt them and others protected by the levees. Officials and other residents protected by those levees should not tolerate such selfish attitudes." -- Times-Picayune Editorial Board, "Not just the government's job", Times-Picayune (9/11/08)

• "They are great and a lot of fun... But you have to be careful. If not, you can get seriously hurt." -- Gina Clanton, Four-wheeling enthusiast and mother, "ATV safety stressed: Riders reminded after several area accidents", The Town Talk (6/16/08)

• "That's why it is so important to have close adult supervision, because children often don't have the same common sense as an adult and can't comprehend the danger... They don't understand that 30 mph is too fast to be riding in a field full of ant hills and pot holes." -- Scott Moreau, Louisiana State Police Public Information Officer Trooper, "ATV safety stressed: Riders reminded after several area accidents", The Town Talk (6/16/08)

• "The Kisatchie National Forest is a wonderful place to visit...However, I have seen tremendous soil damage, erosion of creek banks, reduction in water quality and destruction of forest vegetation. This unsightly damage was caused by misuse of off-road vehicles." -- Gretta Boley, Kisatchie National Forest Supervisor, "New rules restrict ATVs in Kisatchie", Daily Town Talk (7/16/08)

Recent ORV-Related Media Coverage