Renewing Your Louisiana License Online, by Mail, or In Person
Louisiana lets you renew your driver's license online if you meet certain conditions, by mail if you prefer not to visit an office, or in person at any Office of Motor Vehicles location. The method you use depends on whether your license is still valid, how long until it expires, and whether you need a Real ID-compliant license.
If your license is not yet expired and you have fewer than six months left before expiration, you can renew online through the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles website. If your license has already expired or you need a Real ID, you must renew in person. Mail renewal is available for certain situations but is slower than the other routes.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Louisiana OMV website works only if your current license is valid and expires within six months, and you do not need a Real ID.
- In-person renewal at an Office of Motor Vehicles location is required if your license has expired, if you need a Real ID, or if you want to change your address or name.
- Louisiana driver's licenses are valid for six years from the date of issue, so plan to renew before the expiration date printed on the front of your card.
- You will need your current license, proof of Louisiana residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and proof of Social Security number to renew in person.
- Real ID-compliant licenses require an original or certified birth certificate and a passport or other federal ID document, and cost more than standard renewals.
Online Renewal Through the Louisiana OMV Website
To renew online, visit the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles website and log into your account or create one if you do not have one already. You will need your current license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to start. The system will verify your information against state records and show you whether you are may be able to access to renew online.
Online renewal takes about 10 to 15 minutes and costs less than in-person renewal. You will pay the renewal fee by credit or debit card. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives, as long as your current license has not yet expired.
Online renewal is not available if your license has expired, if you need to change your address or name, if you need a Real ID, or if you have certain medical conditions or restrictions that require an in-person review. If any of these explore to you, you must renew in person.
In-Person Renewal at an Office of Motor Vehicles
Visit any Office of Motor Vehicles location in Louisiana to renew in person. You do not need an appointment at most locations, but some offices accept walk-ins on a first-come, first-served basis. Check the OMV website to find the office nearest you and confirm its hours before you go.
Bring your current driver's license, proof of Louisiana residency (a utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form). If you are renewing a Real ID license or upgrading to Real ID, you will also need an original or certified copy of your birth certificate and a passport, military ID, or other federal ID document.
In-person renewal takes 15 to 30 minutes at the office. You will have your photo taken and pay the renewal fee in cash or by card. Your new license is usually printed on site and given to you before you leave, though some locations mail it instead. If your license is printed at the office, you can drive home with it when ready.
Real ID Compliance and What It Costs
A Real ID is a federal standard for state-issued ID documents. Louisiana began issuing Real ID-compliant licenses in 2009, and as of May 2025, you will need a Real ID to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. If your current license does not have a gold star in the upper right corner, it is not Real ID-compliant.
To upgrade to a Real ID during renewal, you must renew in person and bring an original or certified birth certificate plus a passport, military ID, or other federal ID document. The Real ID renewal fee is higher than a standard renewal — the exact cost varies, so ask at the OMV office or check the website before you go.
If you do not need to fly or enter federal buildings, you do not have to upgrade to Real ID. Louisiana will continue to issue standard licenses to anyone who does not request Real ID. However, if you plan to fly domestically or visit a federal courthouse or military base, upgrading now will save you a trip to the OMV office later.
Mail Renewal for Certain Situations
Louisiana allows mail renewal in limited cases. You can renew by mail if you are a Louisiana resident living outside the United States, if you are in the military stationed overseas, or if you have a medical condition that prevents you from visiting an OMV office. Contact the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles directly to request a mail renewal form and instructions.
Mail renewal is slower than online or in-person renewal and typically takes four to six weeks from the time the OMV receives your completed form and payment. You will need to mail your current license along with the renewal form, so you will not be able to drive during the renewal period. For this reason, mail renewal is not recommended unless you cannot visit an office in person.
What Happens If Your License Expires
If your Louisiana driver's license has already expired, you cannot renew it online or by mail. You must renew in person at an Office of Motor Vehicles location. Driving on an expired license is illegal in Louisiana, even if you have submitted a renewal process.
When you renew an expired license in person, the process is the same as a standard in-person renewal, but you may be asked to retake the written test or vision test depending on how long your license has been expired. Bring all the same documents you would bring for a standard renewal, plus your expired license.
Renewing Your Address or Name on Your License
If you have moved to a new address in Louisiana or changed your name, you must renew in person rather than online. Bring your current license, proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and proof of your name change if applicable (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).
The OMV will update your address or name in the system and issue a new license with the corrected information. This counts as a renewal, so your new license will be valid for six years from the date of issue. If you have moved out of Louisiana, you will need to transfer your license to your new state rather than renewing it in Louisiana.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Louisiana driver's license last?
Louisiana driver's licenses are valid for six years from the date of issue. The expiration date is printed on the front of your card. You can renew up to six months before your license expires.
Can I renew my license if I owe traffic fines or child support?
Louisiana may suspend your license if you owe certain court-ordered debts, including child support or unpaid traffic fines. Contact the Office of Motor Vehicles or the court that issued the fine to find out whether your license is suspended before you attempt to renew. If it is suspended, you will need to resolve the debt first.
What if I lost my Social Security card and cannot find proof of my number?
You can use a W-2, 1099, tax return, or other document that shows your Social Security number. If you do not have any of these, contact the Social Security Administration to request a replacement card or a letter showing your number, then bring that to the OMV office.
Do I need to take a new photo for my renewal?
If you renew online, your photo from your current license will be used on your new license. If you renew in person, the OMV will take a new photo. You cannot use an old photo or bring your own.
What if my name or address changed after I renewed online but before my new license arrived?
Contact the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles as soon as possible to update your information. If your new license has not yet been mailed, the OMV may be able to correct it before it ships. If it has already been mailed, you will need to renew again in person to update your address or name.