What You Need to Do to Reinstate Your License in Louisiana
To reinstate a suspended or revoked Louisiana driver's license, you must first resolve the reason for the suspension, then submit the reinstatement request to the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) along with the required fee. The OMV will not reinstate your license until the underlying issue — whether it's unpaid traffic fines, an unpaid child support obligation, a DUI conviction, or a medical suspension — has been cleared.
The reinstatement process varies depending on why your license was suspended. Some suspensions lift automatically once you pay what you owe; others require you to complete a program or obtain a medical clearance. You cannot drive legally in Louisiana while your license is suspended, even if you have a valid license from another state.
Key Takeaways
- You must resolve the reason for suspension before the OMV will process your reinstatement request — paying a fine alone is not enough if other conditions remain unmet.
- The reinstatement fee is $150 for most suspensions, but you may owe additional fees depending on the cause (such as a DUI program fee or child support arrears).
- You can request reinstatement in person at any OMV office, by mail, or online through the Louisiana OMV website if your suspension reason qualifies.
- Processing typically takes 5 to 10 business days after the OMV receives your complete request and confirms the suspension reason has been resolved.
- Some suspensions require proof of completion of a course or program before reinstatement is possible — the OMV will tell you which documents to submit.
Identify Why Your License Was Suspended
Louisiana suspends licenses for different reasons, and the reinstatement path depends on which one applies to you. The most common reasons are unpaid traffic fines or court costs, failure to pay child support, a DUI or reckless driving conviction, failure to appear in court, and medical suspension due to a health condition or medication.
You can find out the reason for your suspension by calling the OMV at 225-925-6146 or by visiting an OMV office in person. Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready. The OMV representative will tell you exactly what must be resolved before reinstatement is possible and what documents or fees you will need.
If your suspension is due to unpaid fines or court costs, contact the court that issued the citation. If it is due to child support, contact the Office of Family Support. If it is medical, you will need a doctor's clearance. Knowing the exact reason saves time and prevents you from submitting incomplete paperwork.
Resolve the Underlying Reason for Suspension
Before you can reinstate your license, you must clear the issue that caused the suspension. This is not optional — the OMV system will not process your reinstatement request until the suspension reason shows as resolved in their records.
For unpaid fines or court costs, pay the full amount owed to the court. Ask for a receipt or written confirmation that the debt has been satisfied. For child support arrears, contact the Office of Family Support at 1-888-230-1188 to arrange payment or a payment plan. For a DUI suspension, you may need to complete a substance abuse program — the court will have specified which program and how many hours. For medical suspensions, obtain a signed statement from your physician confirming that the medical condition no longer prevents safe driving.
Once you have resolved the issue, request written confirmation from the responsible agency (the court, Office of Family Support, treatment provider, or physician). Keep this documentation with you when you submit your reinstatement request, as the OMV may ask to see it.
Gather Required Documents and Pay the Reinstatement Fee
The standard reinstatement fee in Louisiana is $150. You will also need to provide proof that the suspension reason has been resolved. The documents required depend on the type of suspension.
| Suspension Reason | Documents to Submit | Additional Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Unpaid fines or court costs | Receipt or court confirmation of payment | None (beyond $150 reinstatement fee) |
| Child support arrears | Office of Family Support payment confirmation or payment plan agreement | None (beyond $150 reinstatement fee) |
| DUI or substance-related conviction | Proof of completion of required substance abuse program | Program fees (varies by provider) |
| Medical suspension | Physician's signed statement clearing you to drive | None (beyond $150 reinstatement fee) |
| Failure to appear in court | Court confirmation that the failure to appear has been resolved | None (beyond $150 reinstatement fee) |
Bring or mail the $150 reinstatement fee along with your documentation. The OMV accepts cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card. If you are submitting by mail, send a check or money order made payable to the Office of Motor Vehicles.
Submit Your Reinstatement Request
You have three options for submitting your reinstatement request: in person at an OMV office, by mail, or online if your suspension reason qualifies for online processing.
In person: Visit any OMV office with your completed reinstatement form (Form DL-44 or the form specified by the OMV), your $150 fee, and proof that the suspension reason has been resolved. Bring your current or expired driver's license if you have it. Processing is usually faster in person — you may receive a temporary driving permit on the same day if everything is in order.
By mail: Send your reinstatement form, $150 fee (check or money order), and supporting documents to the Office of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 64886, Baton Rouge, LA 70896. Include a copy of your driver's license or a note with your license number and date of birth. Processing takes 5 to 10 business days after the OMV receives your request.
Online: The Louisiana OMV website allows online reinstatement requests for certain suspension types, such as unpaid fines that have been paid. Visit the OMV website to check whether your suspension qualifies. You will need to create an account, enter your license information, upload proof of resolution, and pay the $150 fee by credit or debit card.
What Happens After You Submit Your Request
After the OMV receives your reinstatement request, they will verify that the suspension reason has been resolved in their records or in the records of the responsible agency (court, Office of Family Support, etc.). This verification typically takes 5 to 10 business days. If everything is in order, your license will be reinstated and you will receive a new license in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
If you submitted your request in person and all documents are complete, you may receive a temporary driving permit that day, which is valid for 30 days while you wait for your permanent license to arrive. This permit allows you to drive legally in Louisiana when ready.
If the OMV finds that the suspension reason has not been fully resolved, they will contact you by phone or mail to explain what is still needed. Do not assume your license has been reinstated until you receive written confirmation from the OMV or until your new license arrives in the mail.
Common Mistakes That Delay Reinstatement
The most common mistake is submitting a reinstatement request before the underlying suspension reason has been fully resolved. Paying a fine is not enough if you also owe court costs, or if a DUI program has not been completed. Contact the OMV before you submit anything to confirm exactly what must be done.
Another frequent error is submitting incomplete documentation. If you are reinstating after a DUI suspension, the OMV needs proof of program completion from the actual treatment provider, not just a letter saying you attended. If you are reinstating after unpaid fines, the court receipt must show the specific case number and that the full amount has been paid.
Sending payment to the wrong address or in the wrong form also causes delays. The OMV address for mail-in requests is specific, and they do not accept cash by mail. If you are unsure about any detail, call the OMV at 225-925-6146 before you submit your request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No, not unless you received a temporary driving permit in person at an OMV office. If you submitted your request by mail or online, you cannot drive legally until the OMV confirms your license has been reinstated. Driving on a suspended license carries criminal penalties and additional fines.
How long does reinstatement take?
If you submit in person with complete documentation, you may receive a temporary permit the same day. Your permanent license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. If you submit by mail or online, processing takes 5 to 10 business days, plus 7 to 10 days for mail delivery of your new license.
What if I cannot pay the full reinstatement fee right now?
The OMV does not offer payment plans for the reinstatement fee itself. However, if your suspension is due to unpaid fines or child support, you may be able to set up a payment plan with the court or Office of Family Support. Once that arrangement is in place, contact the OMV to discuss your options.
Do I need to retake the written or driving test to reinstate my license?
No. Reinstatement does not require retesting unless your license has been expired for more than three years, in which case you would need to renew rather than reinstate. If your license is still valid but suspended, you only need to resolve the suspension reason and pay the reinstatement fee.
What if the OMV says my suspension reason has not been resolved?
Contact the agency responsible for that reason — the court, Office of Family Support, or treatment provider — and ask for written confirmation that the issue is cleared. Then submit that confirmation to the OMV. Sometimes there is a delay in information reaching the OMV system, and the agency's written confirmation can speed up the process.