Lindsay Lohan is seeking a restraining order against the paparazzi.

The troubled actress - presently in court ordered rehab at the Betty Ford Center in Los Angeles for drug problems - has asked her lawyers to apply for an order to stop her being followed every time she drives.

Lindsay's legal problems initially stem from a 2007 arrest for driving under the influence (DUI), and in August she re-applied for her driving licence and was back behind the wheel.

She will have lost driving privileges again when failing court ordered drug tests, but gossip website TMZ reports it was recently agreed by the Los Angeles County probation department and Department of Motor vehicles (DMV) she could get back on the road.

Her treatment centre, however, decided it was too much of a safety risk for her to drive, because of the paparazzi attention she attracts, prompting her to seek legal action.   

Lindsay reportedly sent pictures of photographers following her to her lawyer, but it is not known if a restraining order is a viable option.

The 'Machete' actress has recently been granted the right to leave the Betty Ford Center periodically to spend time at her Hollywood apartment, and was also allowed to spend thanksgiving with her family.

The 24-year-old star was recently said to be looking forward to "feeling free" again after her scheduled discharge from the rehab facility on January 3 next year.

A source said: "She wants to be back in her own space and feel like she's free again even if she's knows it's just temporary until after the beginning of the year."