What to do when ready after losing your Louisiana driver's license
If your Louisiana driver's license is lost, you need to report it to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) and request a replacement. You do not have to wait to find it or assume it will turn up — the OMV treats a lost license the same as a stolen one and will issue you a new one with a new number. The process takes about two weeks by mail or can be completed the same day in person at an OMV office.
Start by deciding whether to go in person or by mail. In-person replacement is faster and you walk out with a temporary license valid for 30 days while your permanent card is printed. Mail replacement is slower but works if you cannot reach an office. Either way, you will need to bring or send specific documents — a valid ID, proof of residency, and payment.
Do not delay reporting the loss. A lost license in someone else's hands can be used to open accounts or commit fraud. Reporting it to the OMV when ready puts a flag on that license number and makes it invalid, even if someone finds it later.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit an OMV office in person or submit a replacement request by mail; there is no online replacement option for a lost Louisiana license.
- In-person replacement takes one day and requires a valid ID, proof of residency, and a $32 replacement fee (as of the most recent published rate).
- Mail replacement requires the same documents plus a completed DL 44 form, takes two to three weeks, and costs the same fee.
- A temporary license issued in person is valid for 30 days; your permanent card arrives by mail separately.
- If your license was stolen rather than lost, you may want to file a police report first, though it is not required to get a replacement.
In-person replacement at an OMV office
Walking into an OMV office is the fastest route. Bring your current valid ID (passport, military ID, or state ID), a document showing your current address, and $32 in cash or card. The office will take your information, photograph you, and issue a temporary license on the spot. That temporary license is valid for 30 days and works everywhere a regular license does — you can drive, show it to police, and use it for age verification.
Your permanent replacement card will arrive by mail within two to three weeks. The new card will have a different license number than the lost one. Louisiana OMV offices are located in each parish; you can visit any office, not just the one in your parish. No appointment is required, but wait times vary. Offices are typically less crowded on weekday mornings.
Bring originals of your documents, not copies. The OMV staff will verify them on the spot. If your address has changed since your last license, bring proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days works.
Mail replacement if you cannot visit an office
If you cannot reach an OMV office, you can request a replacement by mail. read or request the DL 44 form (process for Louisiana Driver's License) from the OMV website or call your local OMV office to have one mailed to you. Complete the form, sign it, and mail it with copies of your ID and proof of residency, plus a check or money order for $32.
Mail your packet to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 64886, Baton Rouge, LA 70896. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the OMV receives your packet. You will not receive a temporary license by mail — you will only get your permanent card when it is ready. During the waiting period, you cannot legally drive unless you have another valid ID (such as a passport or military ID) that you can use as a driver's license substitute.
Keep a copy of everything you mail, including the form and the date you sent it. If your packet does not arrive or gets lost in the mail, you will have proof of what you sent and when. The OMV does not send confirmation that your replacement has been received, so tracking your own copy protects you.
Documents you need for either method
Louisiana requires the same documents whether you replace in person or by mail. You need one valid ID (passport, military ID, state ID, or tribal ID), one proof of current residency, and payment of $32. The ID must not be expired. The proof of residency must show your current address and be dated within the last 60 days — utility bills, lease agreements, bank statements, and insurance documents all count.
If your address has changed since your last license was issued, bring the new address proof. If your name has changed (through marriage, divorce, or legal name change), bring the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Louisiana will not issue a license under a new name without that document.
| Document Type | What Counts | What Does Not Count |
|---|---|---|
| Valid ID | Passport, military ID, state ID, tribal ID | Expired ID, social security card, birth certificate |
| Proof of Residency | Utility bill, lease, bank statement, insurance document (dated within 60 days) | Mail addressed to a PO box, documents older than 60 days |
| Name Change (if applicable) | Marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order | Informal documents, verbal confirmation |
The replacement fee and payment options
The replacement fee for a lost Louisiana driver's license is $32. This fee covers the cost of the new card and the processing. In-person offices accept cash, debit cards, and credit cards. If you are mailing your request, send a check or money order made out to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. Do not send cash through the mail.
The $32 fee is the same whether you replace in person or by mail. There are no additional charges for a temporary license issued in person. If you need your replacement faster than the standard two to three weeks, Louisiana does not offer expedited mail service through the OMV, so in-person replacement is your only option to speed up the process.
What happens to your old license number
When you report a license lost and request a replacement, the OMV invalidates your old license number. If someone finds your lost license or if it turns up later, it cannot be used — the system will flag it as invalid. This protects you from someone using your old number to commit fraud or open accounts in your name.
Your new replacement license will have a different number. You do not get to keep the old number. Update your records with your employer, insurance company, and any other organization that has your license number on file. Most will update automatically once they see your new number, but it is worth notifying them directly if the license number is tied to a critical account.
If your license was stolen, not just lost
If you believe your license was stolen rather than lost, you may want to file a police report. A police report is not required to get a replacement from the OMV, but it creates an official record that can help if someone uses your license number fraudulently. File the report with the police department in the city or parish where the theft occurred.
After filing a police report, follow the same replacement steps — visit an OMV office or mail in your request. Mention in your DL 44 form (if mailing) that the license was stolen, not lost. The OMV will still process your replacement the same way, but the note in your file may help if fraud does occur later and you need to prove you reported the theft promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while waiting for my replacement license to arrive by mail?
No. If you chose mail replacement, you do not receive a temporary license, so you cannot legally drive during the two to three week wait. If you need to drive before your replacement arrives, visit an OMV office in person instead to get a temporary license valid for 30 days.
What if I move before my replacement license arrives?
Contact the OMV office where you submitted your replacement request and provide your new address. Your permanent card will be mailed to the new address. If you do not notify them, the card may be returned as undeliverable, and you will have to request a replacement again.
Do I need to take a new photo or pass a vision test for a replacement?
Yes, if you replace in person. The OMV will photograph you and may conduct a vision screening. If you replace by mail, you do not take a new photo — your replacement uses your photo from your previous license. You will need to retake the photo when your current license expires and you renew.
How long is a temporary license valid?
A temporary license issued in person at an OMV office is valid for 30 days. It works for driving and identification during that time. Your permanent card should arrive before the 30 days are up, but if it does not, contact the OMV to check the status.
What if my replacement license arrives damaged or with errors?
Contact the OMV office when ready with a photo of the damage or error. They will issue a corrected replacement at no additional charge. Bring the damaged card with you if you visit in person, or mail it back with a note explaining the problem.