How to Renew Your Louisiana Driver's License

Louisiana driver's license renewal by mail or online

Louisiana lets you renew your driver's license by mail or online if you meet certain conditions. The online option is fastest — you can complete it in minutes from home, and your new license arrives in about 10 business days. Mail renewal takes longer but works if you prefer not to go online.

You can renew online if your license is not suspended, you have no medical restrictions, and your license has not been expired for more than one year. If any of those conditions do not explore to you, you must renew in person at an Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV).

Mail renewal is available to anyone whose license is valid or expired less than one year, but the process is slower and requires you to send documents by post. Most people find online renewal easier because you get when ready confirmation and your new license ships right away.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal through the Louisiana OMV website takes about 10 business days and costs the same as mail or in-person renewal.
You cannot renew online if your license is suspended, you have medical restrictions, or it has been expired for more than one year.
Mail renewal requires you to send your current license and a check to the OMV address, and processing takes several weeks.
In-person renewal at an OMV office is required if you have a suspension, medical restriction, or an expired license older than one year.
Louisiana driver's licenses are valid for six years, and the OMV sends renewal reminders by mail about 60 days before expiration.

Online renewal through the Louisiana OMV website

To renew online, go to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles website and select the renewal option. You will need your current license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method (credit or debit card). The system will verify your information against state records and confirm whether you are may be able to access to renew online.

The fee for online renewal is the same as in-person renewal — currently $32.50 for a six-year license. Once you complete the transaction and your payment processes, the OMV prints and mails your new license. You should receive it within 10 business days, though it can take up to two weeks depending on mail volume.

Online renewal does not let you change your address, add a Real ID star, or update your photo. If you need any of those changes, you must renew in person at an OMV office.

Mail renewal and what documents to send

To renew by mail, request a renewal form from the Louisiana OMV by phone at 225-925-6146 or read it from their website. Fill out the form completely, sign it, and mail it along with your current driver's license and a check or money order for $32.50 to the OMV address listed on the form.

Do not send cash through the mail. Include your current license in the envelope so the OMV can verify your identity and cancel the old one. Mail your renewal package to the address on the form — there is a main processing center in Baton Rouge, but the form will tell you the correct address for your region.

Mail renewal typically takes four to six weeks from the time the OMV receives your package. There is no way to track your renewal by mail, so if you do not receive your new license within eight weeks, call the OMV to check the status. Keep your old license until the new one arrives, since you will need it to drive legally.

In-person renewal at an OMV office

If you cannot renew online or by mail, you must go to an OMV office in person. Bring your current driver's license, proof of Louisiana residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment of $32.50. If your address has changed since your last license, bring two documents showing your new address.

OMV offices are located throughout Louisiana in every parish. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours on the Louisiana OMV website. Most offices are open Monday through Friday during business hours, though some have extended hours or Saturday appointments. Walk-ins are accepted, but wait times vary — calling ahead to ask about current wait times can help you plan your visit.

When you renew in person, you can update your address, add a Real ID star, or change your photo at the same time. The OMV will take a new photo during your visit. Your new license is printed on-site or mailed to you within 10 business days, depending on the office location.

Real ID and Louisiana driver's licenses

Louisiana offers a Real ID-compliant driver's license, which is required to board domestic flights or enter federal buildings as of May 2025. A standard Louisiana driver's license does not have the Real ID star and will not be accepted for those purposes after that date.

If you renew online, your new license will not have the Real ID star unless you already had one. To add Real ID to your license during renewal, you must renew in person at an OMV office. Bring your current license, proof of residency, and one document proving your identity and Social Security number — a birth certificate, passport, or Social Security card works.

The Real ID star costs the same as a standard license renewal ($32.50), so there is no extra fee. If you already have a Real ID license, your new license will automatically include the star when you renew online or by mail.

What happens if your license is suspended or expired over one year

If your Louisiana driver's license is suspended, you cannot renew it online or by mail. You must go to an OMV office in person. The OMV will check the reason for the suspension — common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, or a DUI conviction — and tell you what you need to do to lift the suspension before you can renew.

If your license has been expired for more than one year, you also must renew in person. The OMV treats this as a new license process rather than a renewal, so you will need to bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. The fee is the same ($32.50), but the process takes longer because the OMV runs a full background check.

If you have a medical restriction on your license (such as corrective lenses required or automatic transmission only), you cannot renew online. You must visit an OMV office so the examiner can verify that your medical condition has not changed and that the restriction is still necessary.

Timeline and what to expect after renewal

Louisiana sends renewal reminders by mail about 60 days before your license expires. The reminder includes your renewal options and the OMV website address. You can renew up to 90 days before your license expires, so you have a three-month window to get your new license before the old one is no longer valid.

If you renew online, you will get an when ready confirmation on screen and by email. Your new license is mailed within 10 business days. If you renew by mail, you will not receive a confirmation until your new license arrives. If you renew in person, you may receive your license on-site the same day, or it may be mailed to you within 10 business days depending on the office.

Your new Louisiana driver's license is valid for six years from the date it is issued. You can check the expiration date on the front of your license. If you move out of Louisiana before your license expires, you do not need to renew it — you can transfer it to your new state's license when you move.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Louisiana driver's license if I have an out-of-state address?

No. Louisiana requires you to be a resident to hold a Louisiana driver's license. If you have moved out of state, you must get a driver's license from your new state. If you still live in Louisiana but have a temporary out-of-state address, contact the OMV to discuss your options before attempting to renew.

What if I lost my driver's license and cannot send it with my mail renewal?

Call the Louisiana OMV at 225-925-6146 and explain that your license is lost. They may allow you to renew by mail without sending the old license, or they may require you to renew in person. Do not send a mail renewal without your license unless the OMV tells you it is okay, because your renewal may be delayed or rejected.

How long does it take to get a Louisiana driver's license if I renew in person?

Some OMV offices print your new license on-site and give it to you the same day. Others mail it to you within 10 business days. Call the OMV office where you plan to renew and ask whether they print licenses on-site or mail them.

Do I have to take a new photo when I renew my Louisiana driver's license?

If you renew online or by mail, your photo does not change — the OMV uses your photo from your current license. If you renew in person, the OMV takes a new photo during your visit. You cannot keep your old photo if you renew in person.

What if my name changed since my last license?

You cannot renew online or by mail if your name has changed. You must renew in person at an OMV office and bring a document proving your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The OMV will update your name and issue a new license with your current information.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.