What Louisiana charges to reinstate your suspended license

Louisiana charges a $250 reinstatement fee to restore a suspended driver's license in most cases. This is a flat fee set by the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV), and you must pay it before your license becomes active again — the fee itself does not restore your license, but it is a required step in the process.

The $250 covers the administrative cost of processing your reinstatement request. You cannot avoid this fee by waiting, negotiating, or using a different method to restore your license. It applies whether your suspension was for unpaid traffic fines, failure to maintain insurance, a DUI conviction, or accumulation of points.

Some suspensions carry additional costs beyond the reinstatement fee. If your suspension was related to an unpaid child support obligation or unpaid court fines, you must settle those debts first — and those payments go to the court or child support agency, not to OMV. If your suspension involved an alcohol-related offense, you may also need to pay for an ignition interlock device installation and monitoring, which is separate from the reinstatement fee.

Key Takeaways

  • The Louisiana reinstatement fee is $250 and must be paid to the Office of Motor Vehicles before your license is restored.
  • If your suspension involved unpaid fines or child support, you must pay those debts separately to the court or child support agency before OMV will process your reinstatement.
  • Alcohol-related suspensions may require ignition interlock installation and monthly monitoring fees in addition to the $250 reinstatement fee.
  • You can pay the reinstatement fee by mail, in person at an OMV office, or online through the Louisiana OMV website if your suspension reason qualifies for online processing.

How to pay the $250 reinstatement fee

Louisiana OMV accepts payment through three methods: mail, in-person at a local OMV office, or online. The method you use depends on the reason for your suspension and whether OMV has cleared you to reinstate.

To pay by mail, send a check or money order for $250 payable to "Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles" along with your reinstatement request form and a copy of your driver's license to the address listed on the OMV website. Include a note with your full name, date of birth, and driver's license number so OMV can match the payment to your record. Mail processing takes 7 to 10 business days after OMV receives your envelope.

To pay in person, visit any Louisiana OMV office with your driver's license, proof of identity, and $250 in cash, check, or debit card. OMV offices are located in most parish seats and larger cities. Bring your reinstatement request form if you have already submitted one. In-person payment is processed when ready, though your license may not be active until the next business day.

Online payment is available through the Louisiana OMV website if your suspension was for a non-criminal reason — typically unpaid traffic fines or failure to maintain insurance. You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and a valid debit or credit card. Criminal suspensions (DUI, reckless driving convictions) usually require in-person or mail payment.

When you owe money beyond the reinstatement fee

If your suspension was triggered by unpaid traffic fines, child support arrears, or court costs, you cannot reinstate your license by paying only the $250 fee. You must first resolve the underlying debt.

For unpaid traffic fines or court costs, contact the court that issued the ticket or conviction. You can often pay online through the court's website, by phone, or in person at the courthouse. Once the court confirms payment, it notifies OMV automatically — you then pay the $250 reinstatement fee to OMV. The timeline between court payment and OMV notification varies from same-day to 5 business days.

For child support arrears, contact the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) or the child support enforcement office in your parish. You can arrange a payment plan if you cannot pay the full amount at once. Once DCFS confirms you are current or have a court-approved payment plan in place, OMV will process your reinstatement after you pay the $250 fee.

If your suspension involved both unpaid fines and child support, you must clear both before reinstatement. Paying one but not the other will not move your case forward.

Ignition interlock costs for alcohol-related suspensions

If your suspension followed a DUI arrest or conviction, Louisiana law may require you to install an ignition interlock device (IID) before or after reinstatement, depending on your case. The IID is a breathalyzer connected to your vehicle's ignition — you must blow into it before the engine starts.

The ignition interlock device itself costs between $100 and $300 for installation, paid to the device vendor (not to OMV). Monthly monitoring fees range from $60 to $100, also paid to the vendor. These costs are in addition to the $250 reinstatement fee.

The length of time you must use the device depends on your conviction. First-time DUI offenders typically use it for 6 months; repeat offenders may use it for 1 to 3 years. You must pay the monthly fee for the entire period, even if you do not drive every day.

Before you pay for an IID installation, confirm with OMV or your attorney whether the device is required in your case. Some suspensions do not trigger an IID requirement, and installing one unnecessarily wastes money.

Timeline from payment to active license

Once you have paid the $250 reinstatement fee and resolved any underlying debts, your license does not become active when ready. Processing time depends on how you paid.

In-person payment at an OMV office usually results in an active license by the next business day. You receive a temporary driving permit on the spot that is valid until your physical license arrives by mail.

Online payment takes 1 to 3 business days for OMV to process and set up your license. You can check your license status on the OMV website using your driver's license number and date of birth.

Mail payment takes 7 to 10 business days from the date OMV receives your envelope, plus 3 to 5 days for postal delivery. If you need to drive before your license arrives, request a temporary permit when you submit your payment.

What happens if you drive with a suspended license

Driving with a suspended license in Louisiana is a criminal offense. A first offense carries a fine of $100 to $500 and up to 30 days in jail. A second offense within 10 years increases the penalty to $250 to $1,000 and up to 60 days in jail. Your vehicle can be impounded, and your insurance will not cover any accident or damage that occurs while you are driving illegally.

If you are stopped while your license is suspended, the officer will issue a citation. You will be required to appear in court, and a conviction will extend your suspension period and add additional fines on top of the original reinstatement fee.

If you need to drive before your reinstatement is complete, request a temporary permit from OMV. Some suspensions do not may have access to for a temporary permit, but many do — it is worth asking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the reinstatement fee waived or reduced?

No. The $250 reinstatement fee is set by Louisiana law and cannot be waived, reduced, or deferred. If you cannot pay it all at once, some OMV offices may allow you to pay in installments, but you must contact your local office to ask — this is not a standard policy statewide.

Do I have to pay the reinstatement fee if my suspension was a mistake?

If OMV made an error and your license should not have been suspended, OMV may waive the reinstatement fee once the error is corrected. You must contact OMV directly with documentation showing the error. If the suspension was correct but you have now resolved the underlying issue, you still owe the $250 fee.

What if I lost my reinstatement request form?

You can obtain a new form from the Louisiana OMV website or by visiting an OMV office in person. You do not need the original form to pay the reinstatement fee — you can pay online, by mail, or in person with just your driver's license number and the $250 payment.

Does the reinstatement fee cover a new physical license card?

Yes. The $250 fee includes processing your reinstatement and issuing a new physical license card, which arrives by mail within 3 to 5 business days after your license is activated. You do not pay separately for the card itself.

Can I reinstate my license if I still owe money on an old ticket?

No. You must pay or arrange a payment plan for any outstanding traffic fines, court costs, or child support before OMV will process your reinstatement. Contact the court or DCFS that holds the debt to find out your balance and payment options.