Transient characteristics of organic light-emitting diodes with Langmuir–Blodgett films of quinquethiophene as the emitting material have been studied. Field and thickness dependence of the response time have been studied. From the time lag between the voltage pulse and the first appearance of electroluminescence emission, the mobility parallel to the chain of the molecules has been calculated. In thicker films, anisotropy in mobility has been observed when compared with previous results obtained from field-effect studies. The interfaces have been found to play an important role in thinner films. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.