is charged as a misdemeanor that carries a penalty of up to $200 in fines and up to 90 days in jail. It will also be added to your Louisiana driving record.

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How does Louisiana define reckless driving?

Reckless driving in Louisiana is defined as operating a vehicle “in a criminally negligent or reckless manner.” In layman’s terms, this generally refers to any action that could put yourself or others in danger while you are behind the wheel.

While this definition is fairly broad, a driver may be charged with reckless driving for any of the following behaviors:

Speeding

Driving too fast for weather conditions

Drag racing or spinning wheels

Illegal turns

Excessive lane changes

Generally disrupting the flow of traffic

Speeding is considered reckless if you’re going 15 miles per hour above the speed limit. For other violations, it is typically at the discretion of the law enforcement officer to decide what constitutes reckless driving.

MORE:

Louisiana speeding tickets

What are the penalties for reckless driving in Louisiana?

Reckless driving is charged as a misdemeanor in Louisiana, and the penalties depend on the severity of the infraction, as well as whether the charge is a first, second, or third offense.

In addition to possible fines and jail time, you will receive a blemish on your driving record after a reckless driving charge.

Penalties for a first conviction of reckless driving in Louisiana will include some or all of the following:

Fines: Up to $200

Jail time: Up to 90 days

Penalties for second or subsequent convictions will include some or all of the following:

Fines: $25 to $500

Jail time: 10 days to six months

License suspension: Up to two years

Your license will be suspended if you are charged with reckless driving three times in one year.

How does reckless driving affect my driving record in Louisiana?

A reckless driving citation will be added to your driving record.

Louisiana doesn't have a state-based point system to log negligent behavior. Instead, it is a participant of the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS), which is a database of the

National Driver Register (NDR)

with information related to license suspensions and revocations.

If you have been charged with reckless driving in Louisiana, your driver’s license information and the charge will be logged into the PDPS. If you acquire too many offenses, you can face a number of punishments, including:

Suspension of your Louisiana driver's license

Required driving improvement classes

Additional fines—including those to reinstate your license

How can I remove a reckless driving charge from my record?

Reckless driving in Louisiana is a misdemeanor offense that will not go away just by paying a fine or taking a driving class. You will likely have to appear in court and may even face jail time.

Although Louisiana does not disclose how long citations stay on your record, you may be eligible to apply for expungement. Expungement means sealing or destroying the records of a prior conviction—effectively removing the charge from your record.

To apply for expungement, you must wait five years after the offense was committed. You may not have any current or pending felony convictions during this time.

The steps to apply for expungement are as follows:

Complete the required forms and necessary documents.

File your petition for expungement with the court clerk.

Pay the $550 fine.

Wait about 60 days for the court’s response.

Notify any private background check companies about your expungement; Louisiana law requires it.

You may expunge one misdemeanor conviction every 15 years.

Key Takeaway You may be able to remove a reckless driving charge from your record by applying for expungement five years after the offense was committed.

MORE: How to get car insurance with a bad driving record

Will reckless driving make my insurance go up?

Yes. Insurance companies increase rates by an average of $1,147 per year after a reckless driving charge in Louisiana—that’s 52% higher than the typical car insurance rate in the Pelican State.

Because the consequences are so severe with regard to your

car insurance

premium, it’s best to avoid a reckless driving charge by practicing safe driving habits. Take a defensive driving course or brush up on some

safe driving tips

MORE:

Tips to get a clean driving record

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FAQs

Can you go to jail for reckless driving in Louisiana?

Yes. A first-time reckless driving citation carries a possible jail sentence of up to 90 days. A second or third-time offense carries a potential jail sentence of up to six months.

What is the minimum penalty for reckless driving in Louisiana?

The minimum penalty for reckless driving in Louisiana is a fine under $200.

What’s the difference between reckless driving and aggressive driving?

While reckless driving is a crime in Louisiana, there is no law against aggressive driving. That doesn’t mean you won’t be held accountable, though, since aggressive driving and reckless driving share some overlap.

Examples of aggressive driving include speeding, following too closely behind other vehicles (tailgating), failing to yield, and improper passing. It is at the discretion of the law enforcement officer to decide if aggressive driving behavior justifies a reckless driving charge.

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