Where and how to renew your Louisiana license
You can renew your Louisiana driver's license in person at any Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) location, or online through the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles website if you meet certain conditions. The online option is faster — you can complete it from home in about 10 minutes — but it is only open to drivers whose licenses are not suspended, revoked, or expired for more than one year.
If you renew online, you will need a valid credit or debit card to pay the renewal fee, which varies depending on your license type and how many years you are renewing for. The state will mail your new license to the address on file, usually within 7 to 10 business days. If you cannot renew online or prefer to do it in person, you can walk into any OMV office during business hours with your current license and payment method.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and works only if your license is current or expired less than one year, and you have no suspensions or revokes.
- In-person renewal at an OMV office requires your current license, proof of residency, and payment, and you can usually walk in without an appointment.
- Renewal fees depend on your license class and the number of years you choose to renew for, ranging from a standard license to a commercial or motorcycle endorsement.
- Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days after online renewal, or you receive it when ready if you renew in person.
When your license expires and renewal important date
Louisiana driver's licenses are valid for four or six years depending on your age at the time of issue. You can renew your license up to one year before it expires, which gives you a window to get it done without rushing. The expiration date is printed on the front of your license, and the state does not send renewal reminders by mail, so you are responsible for tracking when yours is due.
If your license has already expired, you can still renew it online as long as it expired less than one year ago. If it has been expired for more than one year, you must renew in person at an OMV office. Driving on an expired license is illegal, so renewing before the expiration date is the safest approach.
What you need for in-person renewal
Bring your current Louisiana driver's license to any OMV office. You will also need to show proof of your current address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days all work. If your address has changed since your last license was issued, bring the proof of your new address.
You will need to pay the renewal fee at the time of renewal. Louisiana accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card at OMV offices. The fee structure depends on whether you hold a standard license, a commercial driver's license (CDL), or a motorcycle endorsement, and how many years you choose to renew for. You can renew for four or six years; the longer term costs more upfront but means you will not need to renew again as soon.
Online renewal requirements and process
To renew online, your license must be current or expired less than one year, you cannot have any suspensions or revokes on your record, and you must have a valid email address on file with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. You will log into the OMV website, verify your identity, review your information, choose your renewal term (four or six years), and pay the fee with a credit or debit card.
After you submit your online renewal, the state processes it and mails your new license to the address on file. You do not need to visit an office, take a new photo, or retake a vision test unless your license has been expired for more than one year. If your address has changed, you can update it during the online renewal process before you pay.
Renewing with a suspended or revoked license
If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it online. You must go to an OMV office in person. Before you can renew, you will need to resolve the reason for the suspension or revoke — this might mean paying traffic fines, completing a defensive driving course, or satisfying other court or administrative requirements.
Contact the OMV directly or the court that issued the suspension to find out what steps you need to take before renewal is possible. Once you have cleared the suspension or revoke, you can renew in person at any OMV office. Bring your current license, proof of address, payment, and any documents showing that you have resolved the issue (such as a receipt for paid fines or a course completion certificate).
Choosing your renewal term and cost
Louisiana lets you renew for either four or six years. A four-year renewal costs less upfront, but you will need to renew again sooner. A six-year renewal costs more but extends the time before your next renewal. The exact fee depends on your license type — standard, commercial, or motorcycle — and the state adjusts these fees periodically, so check the OMV website or call your local office for current pricing before you renew.
If you are renewing online, the website will show you the fee for each term option before you pay. If you are renewing in person, the OMV staff will tell you the cost when you arrive. Some people choose the longer term to avoid the hassle of renewing again soon; others prefer the shorter term to keep costs lower in any single year.
What happens after you renew
If you renewed online, your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Your current license remains valid until the new one arrives, so you can continue to drive legally during that time. Once the new license arrives, destroy your old one or keep it for your records — Louisiana does not require you to turn it in.
If you renewed in person at an OMV office, you receive your new license when ready. You can drive with it right away. If the office prints it on-site, you will have it before you leave. Some offices may mail it instead, in which case they will tell you the expected arrival date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online if it expired more than a year ago?
No. Online renewal is only open to drivers whose licenses are current or expired less than one year. If yours has been expired longer than that, you must renew in person at an OMV office. Bring your expired license, proof of address, and payment.
What if my address has changed since my last license?
You can update your address during online renewal before you pay. If you renew in person, bring proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or government mail dated within 60 days) and tell the OMV staff about the change. They will print your new address on your renewed license.
Do I need to take a new photo or vision test when I renew?
Not for a standard online renewal. Your photo and vision test from your current license carry over. If your license has been expired for more than one year, you will need to renew in person, and the OMV may require a new photo and vision test at that time.
How long does it take to renew in person at an OMV office?
Most in-person renewals take 15 to 30 minutes, though wait times vary by location and time of day. You do not need an appointment for a standard renewal. Arriving early in the morning or on a weekday typically means shorter waits than afternoons or weekends.
What should I do if my new license arrives damaged or with wrong information?
Contact the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles right away with a photo of the damage or a description of the error. They can issue a replacement license. Bring your damaged or incorrect license to an OMV office, or mail it to the address they provide, along with a request for a replacement.