Updated October 4, 2026.
There is no general Louisiana rule allowing drivers to travel 10 miles per hour above the speed limit. A familiar driving habit, what other vehicles are doing or an informal story about police tolerance does not change the posted limit. If you received a citation, our lawyers can review what was actually charged and the options for resolving it.
The speed limit and conditions both matter
Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:64 requires a speed that is reasonable for the conditions and also prohibits exceeding the applicable maximum. Rain, limited visibility and traffic can require a slower speed. Good weather does not create permission to drive above the maximum.
The statute also addresses unnecessarily slow driving that impedes normal traffic, with an exception for hazards requiring lower speed. The practical lesson is to respond to conditions while obeying the applicable limit, rather than treating the number on a sign as a target in all circumstances.
Do not use a tolerance formula
Advice to add 10 percent and then a few miles per hour is not a Louisiana legal allowance. Nor should you assume a particular officer or agency will overlook a certain amount. Enforcement decisions and proof of a violation are separate from the limit itself.
A citation alleging a small difference still deserves careful review. It is also not automatically correct simply because it lists a number. Our lawyers can assess the cited provision, alleged speed, applicable limit, location and available evidence.
What helps us understand your ticket
- A complete copy showing the alleged speed and the limit.
- The exact location and whether a school, work or other special zone is identified.
- Any existing dashcam recording or relevant photographs.
- Your court date, license state and whether you hold a commercial license.
Tell us if the ticket’s location or description appears wrong. You do not need to return to the roadside, buy a measuring device or build a technical defense yourself. Our team will explain what information is useful and what can be pursued through representation.
The goal is a suitable resolution
For eligible matters, we commonly seek to amend the speeding charge to a non-moving violation. That aims to avoid a moving conviction on the driving record, while the applicable fine and court costs generally remain payable. Our legal fee is separate.
An amendment requires approval; it is not an automatic benefit of being only a few miles over. Dismissal and an unchanged insurance premium cannot be guaranteed. The court, charge, history and license circumstances all need to be considered.
Before paying the speeding charge or letting the response date pass, contact our traffic-ticket team or call (225) 327-1722. You can send us your ticket for review; our team will confirm whether we can accept the matter and what the deadline requires.