Title 32. Motor Vehicles and Traffic Regulation

Chapter 5. Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Law

Part I-a. Compulsory Motor Vehicle Liability Security

32:862     Proof of compliance

A. As used in this Section, the phrase “proof of compliance” means proof of compliance with the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Law, R.S. 32:851 et seq., and the rules adopted under that law.

B. (1) The commissioner shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this Section. The rules shall provide that documentation of insurance or other security shall be required for proof of compliance. The rules shall require that the original, a photocopy, or an image displayed on a mobile electronic device, of one of the following documents be produced as documentation of insurance: an insurance card; an insurance policy; or the declarations page of the insurance policy showing coverages. The rules shall require insurance and security companies to issue cards or similar documents, or an image of the card or similar documents capable of being displayed on a mobile electronic device, which indicate the existence of insurance or security coverage, may establish the form for the cards or similar documents, and may establish the form for the written declarations required by this Section.

(2) The provisions of this Subsection with regard to the documentation of insurance requirements shall not apply to new and used automobile dealers as defined by law. However, the rules shall provide for the use of affidavits to prove compliance when registration is sought by a licensed new or used motor vehicle dealer on behalf of a customer.

(3) The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to renewals of registration by mail.

C. Each person who applies for the registration of a motor vehicle, or who applies for the renewal of a registration of a motor vehicle, or who applies for a motor vehicle inspection certificate shall provide proof of compliance and shall declare in writing that the applicant will remain in compliance during the time for which the registration, the renewal of registration, or the certificate is issued.

D. Each adult person who applies for a driver’s license shall:

(1) Provide proof of compliance and declare in writing that the applicant will remain in compliance during the time for which the license is issued; or

(2) Declare in writing that the applicant does not own a motor vehicle which is currently registered or licensed in this state or any other state or in any territory.

E. When a minor person applies for a driver’s license, the parent or guardian who has custody of the minor applicant shall:

(1) Provide proof of compliance for both the minor applicant and the parent or guardian, and declare in writing that the minor applicant and the parent or guardian will remain in compliance during the time for which the license is issued; or

(2) Declare in writing that the parent or guardian does not own a motor vehicle which is currently registered or licensed in this state or in any other state or in any territory.

F. As used in Subsections D and E of this Section, an application for a driver’s license includes an initial application, an application for renewal, and an application for reissue to change the address of the applicant, to change any other information concerning the applicant, or to change the endorsements held by the applicant.

G. The prohibited actions and penalties for violations thereof are as follows:

(1) No person shall provide false or fraudulent information, documentation, or images or make false or fraudulent representations in connection with any application for the registration of a motor vehicle, or for a renewal of a registration of a motor vehicle, or for a motor vehicle inspection certificate, or for a driver’s license.

(2) No person shall make a false declaration or execute a false affidavit in response to the requirements of this Section.

(3) No person shall alter or counterfeit any card or similar document, or produce or use a false or fraudulent image on a mobile electronic device, to show proof of compliance.

(4) Whoever violates the provisions of this Subsection shall be fined not less than seventy-five dollars, nor more than one thousand dollars, and shall be required to perform not less than forty hours nor more than two hundred hours of community service.

(5) When the commissioner finds that any person has violated the provisions of this Subsection, the commissioner may suspend, revoke, or cancel the driver’s license held by the offender and may suspend, revoke, or cancel the registration of each motor vehicle owned by the offender.

H. No action taken by any person, whether private citizen or public officer or employee, with regard to any license, registration, or inspection certificate, or with regard to any document or electronic image which indicates compliance with this Part, shall create a presumption of the existence of insurance coverage, or be construed by any court as a warranty of the reliability or accuracy of the document or electronic image, or create any liability on the part of the state, or on the part of any department, office, or agency of the state, or on the part of any officer, employee, or agent of the state.

I. The display of an image of the insurance card on a mobile electronic device shall not serve as consent for a law enforcement officer, or any other person, to access other contents of the mobile electronic device in any manner other than to verify the image of the insurance card.

J. (1) A court of competent jurisdiction may require a person to produce a paper copy of the insurance identification card in any hearing or trial or in connection with discovery.

(2) The commissioner may require a person to produce a paper copy of the insurance identification card in connection with any inquiry or transaction conducted by, or on behalf of, the commissioner.

Added by Acts 1977, No. 115, § 1, eff. July 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1978, No. 544, § 1; Acts 1980, No. 510, § 1; Acts 1980, No. 621, § 1; Acts 1986, No. 801, § 1; Acts 1986, No. 901, § 1; Acts 1990, No. 25, § 1; Acts 1995, No. 423, § 1; Acts 1995, No. 756, § 1; Acts 2012, No. 824, § 1; Acts 2014, No. 641, § 1, eff. July 1, 2014.