Louisiana license renewal costs $35 for a standard eight-year license

A standard Louisiana driver's license renewal costs $35. This is the fee you pay when you renew in person at an Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) or through the mail. The fee covers the eight-year validity period that comes with a standard Louisiana license.

If you choose to renew online through the Louisiana OMV website, the cost is the same: $35. The online option is available only if you meet certain requirements — your license must not be expired by more than one year, you must have a valid email address on file, and you cannot have any medical or vision restrictions that need to be updated.

Louisiana does not charge separate fees for different renewal methods. Whether you walk into an office, mail in your process, or renew online, you pay one flat fee.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard Louisiana driver's license renewal costs $35 and is valid for eight years.
  • You can renew in person at any Office of Motor Vehicles, by mail, or online if your license expired less than one year ago.
  • The $35 fee is the same regardless of which renewal method you choose.
  • If you need a REAL ID-compliant license, you will pay an additional $15 on top of the standard $35 renewal fee.
  • Commercial driver's license (CDL) renewals cost more and have different requirements than standard license renewals.

REAL ID licenses cost $50 total at renewal

If you want a REAL ID-compliant license — one that meets federal standards for air travel and entry to federal buildings — you will pay $35 for the standard renewal plus an additional $15 REAL ID fee, totaling $50.

You do not have to get a REAL ID license when you renew. A standard Louisiana license remains valid for driving within the state and for most everyday purposes. REAL ID is required only if you plan to fly domestically or enter a federal facility after May 7, 2025. If you do not need it now, you can renew as a standard license and upgrade to REAL ID at a later renewal.

When you explore for REAL ID at renewal, you will need to bring additional documents beyond what a standard renewal requires. You must present proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Louisiana residency. The OMV website lists which documents may have access to for each category.

Commercial driver's license renewals cost more

If you hold a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), your renewal fee is higher than a standard license. A CDL renewal costs $60 for an eight-year license, compared to $35 for a standard license.

CDL renewals cannot be done by mail or online. You must renew in person at an Office of Motor Vehicles. You will need to bring your current CDL, proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency. Some CDL holders may also need to provide medical certification depending on the type of commercial driving they do.

If you want to add REAL ID to a CDL renewal, the additional fee is the same: $15, bringing your total to $75.

Where to pay and what payment methods are accepted

At an Office of Motor Vehicles, you can pay with cash, check, debit card, or credit card. Most offices accept all four methods, though it is worth calling ahead if you plan to pay by check, as some locations may have restrictions.

If you renew by mail, you must include a check or money order with your process. Do not send cash through the mail. Make the check or money order payable to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles.

Online renewal requires a credit or debit card. You will enter your card information on the find OMV website during the renewal process.

Replacement licenses and duplicate fees

If you need a replacement license before your renewal date — because yours was lost, stolen, or damaged — the cost is different from a renewal. A replacement license costs $20 and is valid for the remainder of your current license's validity period.

A duplicate license, which is an exact copy of your current license, costs $10. Duplicates are useful if you want to keep one license at home and carry another, or if you need an extra copy for records.

Neither replacements nor duplicates extend your license's expiration date. When your original license would have expired, you will still need to renew at the standard $35 fee.

Senior and military discounts

Louisiana offers a reduced renewal fee for drivers age 70 and older. Senior drivers pay $10 to renew a standard license instead of the full $35 fee. This discount applies only to standard licenses; REAL ID renewals for seniors still include the additional $15 fee, making the total $25.

Military members on active duty may be able to renew by mail even if their license has been expired for longer than one year, but this does not change the renewal fee itself. Active-duty military still pay $35 for a standard renewal or $50 for REAL ID.

To receive the senior discount, you must be at least 70 years old at the time of renewal. You do not need to bring any special documentation; the OMV will verify your age from your current license.

What happens if you renew late

If your license has expired and you continue to drive, you are driving with an expired license, which is a traffic violation in Louisiana. There is no grace period. Once your license expires, it is no longer valid.

The renewal fee does not increase if your license is expired. You still pay $35 for a standard renewal, even if you renew months or years after expiration. However, if your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew online or by mail — you must renew in person at an Office of Motor Vehicles.

If your license has been expired for a very long time (typically more than five years), the OMV may require you to retake the written test or vision test, or both. Call your local OMV office to ask about your specific situation before you go in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license online if it expired more than a year ago?

No. Online renewal is available only if your license expired less than one year ago. If it has been expired for more than one year, you must renew in person at an Office of Motor Vehicles. The renewal fee remains $35 regardless of how long your license has been expired.

Do I have to pay the REAL ID fee if I don't need it?

No. REAL ID is optional. You can renew as a standard license for $35 and skip the additional $15 REAL ID fee. You can add REAL ID at any future renewal if you decide you need it later.

What if I'm renewing a learner's permit instead of a license?

Learner's permits have different fees and renewal rules than driver's licenses. A learner's permit renewal costs $20 and is valid for four years. Contact your local Office of Motor Vehicles or check the Louisiana OMV website for learner's permit renewal details.

Is there a fee to renew if I'm over 70?

Yes, but it is reduced. Drivers age 70 and older pay $10 to renew a standard license instead of $35. If you want REAL ID, add the $15 REAL ID fee to get a total of $25.

Can I pay the renewal fee online before I go to the office?

If you are renewing in person, you pay the fee when you arrive at the Office of Motor Vehicles. You cannot pay online in advance for an in-person renewal. Online payment is only available if you are completing the entire renewal online through the OMV website.