Suspended License in Louisiana

Driver License Suspension in Louisiana

If your Louisiana driver's license is suspended by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS) Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV), you'll need to satisfy your suspension requirements before you can reinstate your license.

Your driver's license may be suspended by both the DPS and courts for violations and convictions, including:

  • DWI/DUI convictions or failing/refusing to submit to a blood/breath test.
  • Felonies involving a vehicle.
  • Reckless driving.
  • Texting and driving.

On this page you'll find information about your suspension and how to reinstate your LA driver's license.

About Your Suspended License in LA

The length of your license suspension and your reinstatement requirements will vary depending on your offense.

On top of any suspensions you may face from the DMV, you may also face additional criminal charges and suspensions from state/federal courts. Your driver's license will be suspended if you are convicted of any of the following criminal charges:

  • Accumulating of traffic violations.
  • You are convicted of your first DWI.
  • You are convicted of your first DWI in a commercial vehicle.

If you are arrested for a DWI, the LA OMV will suspend your driver's license for:

  • 365 days if you refuse to submit to a blood/breath test.
  • 1 year if you are 21 years old or older and fail a blood/breath test.

NOTE: You may also face additional criminal charges, including further suspensions.

Depending on the circumstances of your conviction, your suspension term may begin:

  • When your current driver license expires.
  • At the end of a current suspension/disqualification you are serving, if have multiple suspensions.
  • 30 days after you receive a LA OMV suspended license notice.
  • The day the statement of non-possession is received.
  • At a LA OMV specified date, after you surrender your driver's license.

You may be able to appeal your license suspension. See “Suspension Hearings in Louisiana" below.

For information about your specific reinstatement requirements and suspension duration:

NOTE: DO NOT drive with a suspended license. You risk having your driver's license suspended for an additional time if you do.

Suspensions and Convictions on Your Driving Record

Convictions and violations that cause license suspensions will remain on your Louisiana driving record for different durations, depending on the type of the offense.

  • Major convictions that remain on your driving record for 10 years include:
    • DWI convictions.
    • Vehicle negligent injury convictions.
    • CDL out-of-service convictions.
  • Other traffic violations that lead to suspensions will remain on your driving record for 5 years.
  • Violations that don't necessarily lead to suspensions will remain on your driving record for 3 years.

Suspension Hearings in Louisiana

For certain violations and convictions, you can request a Louisiana OMV administrative hearing.

You must request your hearing within a particular time frame from your arrest, depending on the reason for your suspension. Generally, you must request a hearing within 30 days after your arrest or receiving a suspension notice.

To request an administrative hearing or re-hearing, submit a request:

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

NOTE: The Louisiana OMV may issue you a temporary driver's license to use until your suspension hearing is held.

If you'd like to appeal the decision of an administrative hearing, you must contact your local Louisiana district court within 30 days of the decision.

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Reinstate Your Suspended Driver's License

The specific requirements to reinstate your Louisiana driver license will vary depending on the reason for your suspension. For more information, please visit your local Louisiana OMV reinstatement office or call (225) 925-6146.

To reinstate your driver license with the Louisiana DMV, you'll generally need to:

  • Satisfy any court requirements, if applicable.
  • Submit any required suspension compliance documents to the LA OMV.
  • Provide the OMV with an SR22 from your insurance company, if required.
  • Pay any fines and your license reinstatement fee. (See “Fees to Reinstate Your LA Driver's License" below.)

To submit your documents and your reinstatement fees, you can either:

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

    If you visit a Louisiana DMV office in person, your reinstatement will be processed immediately. Reinstatements by mail take longer.

    If you've already submitted your suspension compliance documents, you can pay your reinstatement fees by calling the Louisiana DMV at (225) 925-6146.

    NOTE: If you are visiting the LA OMV in person, make sure that you visit an office that processes reinstatements.

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    DWI Suspensions

    If you are caught driving while intoxicated, or refuse to submit to a blood/breath test in Louisiana, you will face both LA OMV and court driver's license suspensions.

    You will face the following suspensions from the Louisiana OMV:

    • Refusing to submit to an alcohol analysis test:
      • 365 days – 1st offense.
      • 730 days – 2nd offense.
    • If you're 21 years old or older and have a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of 0.08% or higher:
      • 1 year – 1st offense.
      • 2 years – 2nd offense.
    • If you're under 21 years old and have a BAC level of 0.02% or higher:
      • 1 year – 1st offense.
      • 2 years – 2nd offense.

    In addition to the above, the Louisiana courts can suspend your driver's license for additional time and fines which increase with subsequent offenses.

    You may also face additional penalties including fines and imprisonment. For more information about DUI/DWI convictions/violations in Louisiana, visit our DUI & DWI in Louisiana page.

    To reinstate your suspended driver license you'll need to:

    • Complete your sentencing requirements.
    • Participate in a Defensive Driving Course.
    • File an SR22 that maintains insurance coverage for 3 years, or submit a cash deposit.
    • Install an ignition interlock device in your car, if necessary.
    • Pay any necessary fines and your reinstatement fees. (See “Fees to Reinstate Your LA Driver's License" below.)

    Obtain a Restricted/Hardship License

    If your Louisiana driver license is suspended, you may be eligible for a temporary hardship license, which allows you to drive to and from:

    • Work.
    • School.
    • Necessary locations.

    To determine your eligibility and requirements, visit a Louisiana reinstatement office or call (225) 925-6146.

    To apply for a hardship license, you may need to:

    • File a SR22 form with the LA OMV (available from your insurance company).
    • Install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle.
    • Submit a court order.
    • Pay a fee.

    NOTE: You cannot use a restricted hardship license to drive a commercial vehicle.

    Fees to Reinstate Your LA Driver's License

    Your Louisiana OMV reinstatement fees will vary depending on the reason for your suspended drivers license. You may also need to pay additional court fines and fees before you can reinstate your license.

    • DWI suspensions:
      • First offense: $100.
      • Second offense: $200.
      • Third offense: $300.
    • Credit/Debit card fee: $1.25 plus 1% of transaction total.

    For a complete list of fees to reinstate your Louisiana driver's license, visit the LA DPS website.

    NOTE: For information about your specific reinstatement fees, please contact a Louisiana OMV reinstatement office or call (225) 925-6146.

    Accepted Forms of Payment

    The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles accepts the following forms of payment:

    • In person: Cash, money order, cashier's check, certified check.
    • By mail: Money order, cashier's check, certified check.
    • By phone: VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover credit/debit cards.

    NOTE: The Louisiana OMV does not accept personal checks.

    Suspended CDL in Louisiana

    Commercial driver's license (CDL) suspensions and disqualifications are regulated by both Louisiana state and federal laws.

    Federal suspension regulations controlled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) include:

    • License disqualifications and fines for violating out-of-service orders.
    • Suspensions and disqualifications ranging from 60 days to Life for violations and convictions, such as:
      • Violating railroad-highway grade crossings.
      • Excessive speeding and reckless driving.
      • DUI/DWI and leaving the scene of an accident.

    For more information on federal regulations and penalties, please see the FMCSA website.

    For information about your specific CDL suspension:

    • Visit your local Louisiana OMV reinstatement office.
    • Call (225) 925-6146.
      OR
    • Complete an online request on the LA DMV website.
      • The Louisiana OMV will send you information regarding your specific circumstances by mail.

    To reinstate your CDL, please see “Reinstate Your Suspended Driver's License" above.

    For more information about your commercial driver's license, visit our Commercial Drivers Center.

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