Determine the Status of Your License

Never drive without a valid driver’s license. You have up to six months prior to your license expiring to renew it; after it expires, you’ll be ticketed if pulled over by law enforcement.

You should also never drive without enough liability insurance. Not having enough, or providing false information, could result in hefty fines and jail time. If you need car insurance, it’s easy to shop online for the best rate possible.

Valid License

Your license expires every four years on your birthday, whether you’ve got the regular Class E license to drive passenger cars, or a Motorcycle License.

Commercial drivers have different deadlines.

If it’s been awhile since you drove or if you have a lot of infractions, you might not know whether your license is valid. You can find out by looking at your driving record. This will also tell you useful info, like how many points you have on your license.

Expired License

You have 10 days after the day your license expires to renew it without being charged a $15 late fee. You'll still get a citation if you get caught.

• If your license has been expired a year or more, you must take the vision and written exams again.

• If you let it expire for two years or more, you'll be required to take the vision, written, and driving exams again.

To find out the status, you can call the OMV or look at your driving record.

Suspended License

Those with suspended licenses may have to pay a hefty reinstatement fee. To check whether your license is suspended, view your driving record. This will give you all the details, including how long the suspension is for. You may be able to apply for a license to drive to and from work.

Once you’re back to regular driving, you may find your insurance rates have gone up due to your suspension. How much will depend on what the infraction was for; a DUI may be more costly than too many traffic tickets. Now may be the time to do a little insurance comparison shopping to see if anyone can get you a lower price.

Lost License

If your license was lost or stolen, it’s smart to report it to the authorities and then get a new license right away.

Check Your Renewal Notice

You will receive a renewal notice 100 days before the expiration date.

• If you don't need to come in, there will be an invitation for you to renew online, by mail, or using the interactive voice response (IVR). Your invitation will also include a voter registration application.

• The state doesn’t allow you to renew your license or card by mail, online, or using IVR every time. You’ll have to show up at an OMV office once every eight years to get a new photo.

• If you renew by mail, online, or using IVR, you won't receive a new license. You’ll get a renewal sticker to attach to the back of the license.

Fees range from $21.50 to $24.50, depending on which parish you live in. Renewing a motorcycle license is an extra $8.

Renew Online

If you've received an invitation to renew online, visit Louisiana's Driver's License Renewal. There’s an extra fee to renew online.
You need your driver's license, a valid credit card, and your renewal invitation.

IVR

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) instructions will also be included on the renewal notice, if you’re allowed to use it.
To renew using IVR, simply call 1-888-956-5111 and follow the instructions.

Renew By Mail

1. Complete the Application for License or Identification Card.
2. Indicate that you're using the application for renewal purposes.

Mail the application and appropriate fees to:

• Office of Motor Vehicles

• Vehicle Renewal Mail-In Unit

• P.O. Box 64886

• Baton Rouge, LA 70896

Renew In Person

If you are eligible to renew by mail, online, or using IVR, but you need to make any name or address changes, you must instead renew at your local OMV location.

You can also renew in person if that’s simply your preference. Take your license or card, along with your proof of insurance if you own a vehicle. You also need to pay the appropriate fees.

Update Your Driving Skills

Only renewing your driver’s license every four years is convenient, but it doesn’t keep you up to date on any law changes or refresh your skills. Taking a supplemental class is a great idea. Many insurance companies offer a discount for doing so.

Read over your policy to see if your provider is included. If not, you may want to consider shopping around for a better rate.

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