License Renewal in Louisiana

Renew Your Driver's License in Louisiana

In order to continue driving legally in Louisiana, you must make sure your driver's license remains valid. Before it expires, you must renew it with the Department of Public Safety and Corrections Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV).

On this page you'll find information on how to renew your LA driver's license online, by mail, and in person.

REAL ID Requirements in Louisiana

The Louisiana OMV complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005, meaning it provides first-time driver license applicants with REAL ID-compliant driver licenses. REAL ID driver’s licenses meet the federal identification requirements required for tasks such as entering federal buildings and boarding domestic commercial flights. Without a REAL ID, you'll need to bring your passport or birth certificate for such activities.

New applicants will automatically receive a REAL ID, unless you specifically indicate on the application that you don't want one. For renewals, you can opt to upgrade or retain a non-compliant license. For more details, visit the OMV's guide to REAL ID licensing.

When to Renew Your LA Driver's License

Your Louisiana driver's license is valid for 6 years and expires on your birthday.

The LA DMV will mail you a renewal notice within about 100 days of the month your LA driver's license expires. The notice will inform you whether you can renew:

  • Online.
  • By mail.
  • In person.

If you do not receive a renewal notice, you must renew in person at a Louisiana OMV office.

Your renewal requirements will vary based on whether your license is:

  • Current.
  • Expired.
  • Suspended.
  • Lost, stolen, or damaged.

Valid Driver License

If you hold a valid Louisiana driver's license, you may renew it up to:

  • 180 days before it expires.
  • 10 days after expires (without paying any additional fees).

You must renew in person if:

  • You did not receive a renewal notice.
  • Your last renewal was completed online or by mail.
  • You are required to take any tests.

Expired Driver's License

If your Louisiana driver's license has been expired for more than 10 days, you can still renew it, but you must pay an additional $15 late fee.

Suspended Driver License

If your LA driver license is suspended, you must have it reinstated first before you can renew it.

For more information, please see our Suspended License in Louisiana page.

Check Your Driving Record

Is your driver's license valid or suspended? Check your driving record to find out.

Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Driver's License

If your LA drivers license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you will need to renew it in person and show proof of your identity. You cannot renew a lost or stolen LA driver's license online or by mail.

Renew Your LA Driver's License

In Louisiana, you may renew your driver's license:

  • Online.
  • By mail.
  • In person.

If you've already renewed your license, you can check the status of your renewal by contacting the Louisiana OMV. If you're upgrading to a REAL ID, you MUST do your initial renewal in person as if it were a first-time application. This is a one-time requirement.

Online Renewal

To renew your Louisiana drivers license online, visit the LA DMV website and provide:

NOTE: You cannot renew online if your name or address has changed, you're upgrading to a REAL ID license, or your LA driver's license has been lost, stolen, or damaged. You must renew it in person. See the “In-Person Renewal" section below.

By-Mail Renewal

To renew your Louisiana driver's license by mail, you must:

  • Be under 70 years old.*
  • Have renewed your last LA driver's license in person.
  • Not be upgrading to a REAL ID-compliant license.
  • Not have a Louisiana driver's license that has been expired for 12 months or more.
  • Not have a cancelled, suspended, or lost/stolen LA driver license.
  • Be a U.S. citizen.

*A person 70 years old or older may renew by mail if they have a medical diagnosis that prevents then form going to the OMV in person. You MUST fill out a Temporarily Residing Out of State Application For Reconstructed Duplicate/Renewal License/ID Card (Form DPSMV2013)  and meet the requirements for renewing by mail, other than the age requirement.

If you do not meet the above requirements, you must renew your Louisiana driver's license in person. See the “In-Person Renewal" section below.

If you are eligible to renew by mail, the Louisiana DMV will send you an invitation to do so. Follow the instructions on your renewal notice and include a check for the renewal fee with your application. (See the Fees to Renew Your Louisiana Driver's License section below.)

For more information about renewing your LA driver's license by mail, please call the LA Office of Motor Vehicles at (225) 925-6146.

In-Person Renewal

To renew your LA driver license in person, visit your local Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV). You'll need to:

  • Complete an application available at the OMV.
  • Prove your identity with your current LA driver's license, or:
    • 1 primary document, such as your:
      • Birth certificate.
      • U.S. passport.
      • Military ID.
    • 2 secondary document, such as your:
      • Social Security Card.
      • School photo ID.
      • Health insurance card.

  • Provide your Social Security number (SSN) and 2 documents proving your residency, if you're renewing or upgrading to a REAL ID.
  • Prove your liability insurance, if you own a vehicle.
  • Pass a vision exam.
  • Pay the renewal fee. (See the Fees to Renew Your Louisiana Driver's License section below.)

Military Member Renewal Exemptions

Notice for Military Members Stationed in Germany

If you are currently stationed in Germany, please be aware that some states require you to have a valid U.S. driver's license in addition to your USAREUR license. Read our article for more information.

If you are a military member stationed outside of Louisiana, and your LA driver's license expires while on active duty, it will remain valid for 60 days after your discharge date.

This also applies to your spouse and dependents.

You must notify the LA DMV of your military status either by visiting a Louisiana DMV office in person, or sending word by mail. To notify the LA OMV of your military status by mail, write a letter that includes:

  • Your full name.
  • Your LA driver's license number.
  • Your Louisiana address.
  • Your out-of-state address.
  • A copy of both sides of your military ID.

Send the letter to:

Office of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 64886
Baton Rouge, LA 70896

If you'd like to renew your LA driver's license while stationed out of state, check if you're eligible for an out-of-state renewal. See the Out-of-State Driver's License Renewal section below.

When you renew your driver's license, you'll need to provide your current LA driver's license and your discharge documents.

Out-of-State Driver License Renewal

If you are out of state when you need to renew your Louisiana driver license, you can still renew if:

  • You meet the eligibility requirements to renew either online or by mail. See the “Online Renewal" and “By-Mail Renewal" sections above.
  • Your photo is on file with the LA DMV.
  • Your last renewal was completed in person.

If you are a student attending school outside of Louisiana, you must provide a copy of your student ID.

If you are a military member or dependent stationed out-of-state, you must provide copies of your military ID and enlistment documents.

To renew your LA driver's license while you are out of state, you'll need:

Mail the above to:

Office of Motor Vehicles
Attention: Reconstructed License
P.O. Box 64886
Baton Rouge, LA 70896

The LA OMV will mail you a new card in about 10 days.

Fees to Renew Your LA Driver's License

It will cost you the following fees to renew your driver license in Louisiana:

  • Standard license valid for 6 years: $32.25 to $38.25.
  • Drivers 70 years old or older, valid for 6 years: $18.75 to $24.75.
  • LA driver's licenses expired for more than 10 days: $15 additional late fee.

NOTE: A parish service fee of up to $4.50 may apply.

Accepted Forms of Payment

For online transactions, the LA DMV accepts the following credit/debit cards:

  • VISA.
  • MasterCard.
  • Discover.
  • American Express.

For transactions by mail, the LA DMV accepts payment by check or money order payable to the “Office of Motor Vehicles."

Contact your local Louisiana OMV office for accepted payment methods when renewing your LA driver's license in person.

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