A Louisiana driver’s license expires every six years, on the license holder’s birthday. Drivers will receive a renewal notice from the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) approximately 100 days before their current license expires. However, if for some reason you miss this reminder notice, you still need to know how to renew your license.
Renewing at an OMV Office
Your renewal notice contains important information on how you can renew your license. You must renew in-person at an OMV office every other time you renew, but for the interim renewals you can usually do so by mail or online.
If your renewal notice indicates you need to renew in-person, or if you do not receive your renewal notice in the mail, go in-person to any OMV office. You must do this within ten days of your current license expiration date. If you wait longer than ten days after the expiration of your current license, you will be charged additional fees and may also receive a traffic ticket.
If you are changing personal information on your license or if you have changed your address, you must go in-person to an OMV office to renew your license, even if you are otherwise eligible for online or mail renewal.
What to Bring When You Renew
When renewing your license in-person at an OMV office, bring these documents:
Your current driver’s license
A second piece of identification proving your identity and legal residence in the state
Your Social Security card
Proof of liability insurance for all vehicles registered in your name
You must also pay a fee:
$32.50 for renewing a passenger car, Class E license
An additional $6 local service fee in some locations
A $15 late fee if you are renewing more than ten days after the expiration of your last license
Drivers over age 70 pay $18.75 plus local service fees, and are exempt from late fees. After paying the fees and passing a vision test, the OMV will issue you a temporary license which is valid until you receive your new permanent license in the mail.
If you have temporary residency status in the US, you will need to show your current passport as well as Homeland Security documents detailing your legal residency status.
Renewing Online and by Mail
Your renewal notice will tell you if you can renew online. If it says you can, go to the Louisiana OMV Expresslane website with your current license and a valid credit card. Enter your license number and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
To renew a license by mail in Louisiana, drivers must meet these requirements:
Renewed in-person last time
Under age 70
Current license is not reported lost or stolen
Current license is not suspended
If you meet these requirements, the OMV will send you instructions on how to renew by mail. If you are living temporarily out of state on military deployment, you can also renew by mail. Send your driver’s license number, out of state address, and copy of your military ID to the Baton Rouge office of Louisiana OMV.
Updated 10/29/2024
