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LouisianaHB 10502026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

MTR VEHICLE/DRIVER LIC: Modifies provisions relative to certain requirements for commercial driver's licenses

Sponsored By: Rodney Schamerhorn (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Transportation, Highways and Public Works

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Commercial driving starts at 18 within Louisiana

Louisiana allows Class A, B, and C commercial licenses for driving within the state starting at age 18. Interstate driving and hazardous materials endorsements require age 21, and federal minimum-age rules still apply. A commercial learner’s permit allows behind-the-wheel training with a valid commercial license holder from the same state or jurisdiction. For existing commercial drivers, the permit also authorizes training in a commercial vehicle their current license does not cover.

First-time drivers must document supervised practice

Class E regular licenses and Class D chauffeur licenses are available starting at age 17, subject to related licensing requirements. First-time Class E applicants need 50 supervised practice hours, including at least 15 at night, with a licensed adult age 21 or older. Applicants age 18 or older must sign a statement confirming the practice; a parent or guardian signs for a 17-year-old. An emancipated 17-year-old can sign personally with the required identifying information and documents.

Revised weight rules for heavy-truck drivers

Class B covers single vehicles with a rated or actual gross weight of at least 26,001 pounds. Such vehicles can tow vehicles with a rated or actual gross weight no greater than 10,000 pounds. Class B also covers Classes C, D, and E with proper endorsements; motorcycles and motor scooters require an endorsement. The law removes the former straight-vehicle definition based on having no movable frame joint. Weight and passenger limits can be adjusted to match federal highway rules through formal rulemaking with legislative committee oversight.

Truck drivers face revised trailer-testing limits

Class A drivers tested with a pintle hook or another non-fifth-wheel connection cannot drive fifth-wheel tractor-trailer combinations. They must pass a Class A skills test using a fifth-wheel connection to remove that limit. The law removes the former restriction based on testing in a vehicle that was not a tractor-trailer combination.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Rodney Schamerhorn

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 143 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/26/2026

Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 35 • No: 0

House vote • 4/27/2026

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 98, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote • 4/21/2026

Reported favorably

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 868.

    6/9/2026House

  2. Effective date: 08/01/2026.

    6/9/2026House

  3. Signed by the President of the Senate.

    5/27/2026Senate

  4. Sent to the Governor for executive approval.

    5/27/2026House

  5. Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    5/26/2026Senate

  6. Received from the Senate without amendments.

    5/26/2026House

  7. Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.

    5/26/2026House

  8. Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.

    5/20/2026Senate

  9. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    5/19/2026Senate

  10. Reported favorably.

    5/18/2026Senate

  11. Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

    4/28/2026Senate

  12. Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 98, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

    4/27/2026House

  13. Received in the Senate. Rules suspended. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.

    4/27/2026Senate

  14. Scheduled for floor debate on 04/27/2026.

    4/23/2026House

  15. Read by title, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.

    4/22/2026House

  16. Reported favorably (10-0).

    4/21/2026House

  17. Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

    3/31/2026House

  18. Read by title. Lies over under the rules.

    3/30/2026House

Bill Text

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