State and federal laws generally prohibit the possession, use, manufacture, or distribution of a false or fake driver’s license, identification card, military ID, passport, state or federal employee identification card, or other identification documents (fake ID). The legal definition of a fake ID is generally an ID that has been (1) altered, (2) falsified, (3) forged, (4) duplicated, (5) reproduced, or (6) counterfeited.

In many states, possession of a fake ID may be charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony, with fines, community service, probation, suspension of driver’s license, and possible jail time. Some colleges and universities impose additional penalties on students who are convicted of possessing a fake ID—including dismissal from the college or university. And fraud in connection with identification documents may also be a federal crime. See 18 U.S. Code §1028.

Fake ID laws are usually located in a state’s statutes—in the penal or criminal code, the alcoholic beverage code, or the transportation or motor vehicle code.

In Louisiana (LA), state and federal laws strictly prohibit the possession, use, creation, or distribution of fake identification documents, including driver's licenses and other forms of ID. Under Louisiana law, such actions can be considered a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the circumstances, and can result in penalties such as fines, community service, probation, suspension of driving privileges, and even imprisonment. Additionally, universities and colleges in Louisiana may impose their own sanctions on students found with fake IDs, which can include expulsion. At the federal level, fraudulent activities involving identification documents are criminalized under 18 U.S. Code §1028, which can lead to significant legal consequences. Louisiana's statutes addressing fake IDs can be found in various sections of the state's laws, including the penal code, the laws governing alcoholic beverages, and the motor vehicle code.