What you need to get a Louisiana driver license
To get a Louisiana driver license, you will need to visit a Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) location in person. You cannot complete the entire process online or by mail. You will need to bring proof of identity, proof of Louisiana residency, proof of your Social Security number, and documentation showing your legal name if it differs from your birth certificate.
Proof of identity can be a valid passport, a birth certificate, a military ID, or a tribal ID. For residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and current address. Your Social Security card itself is the easiest proof of your number, though a W-2 or tax return also works. If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or court order, bring the legal document showing that change.
The OMV office will take your photograph and fingerprints during your visit. You will also take a written test on Louisiana traffic laws and road signs, and a practical driving test where an examiner rides with you in your own vehicle or a test vehicle provided by the OMV.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit an OMV office in person with proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number to get your first Louisiana driver license.
- You will take a written test on traffic laws and a practical driving test with an examiner before your license is issued.
- A Louisiana driver license is valid for four years for drivers under 70 and six years for drivers 70 and older.
- You can renew your license by mail, online, or in person, depending on your age and how long it has been since your last renewal.
- The fee for a new license is different from the fee for a renewal, and both vary slightly depending on the type of license you need.
Renewing your Louisiana driver license by mail or online
If your license is still valid or expired less than two years ago, you may be able to renew without visiting an OMV office. The OMV sends renewal notices by mail about 60 days before your license expires. That notice will tell you whether you are allowed to renew by mail or online, or whether you must come in person.
To renew by mail, fill out the renewal form that came with your notice, include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail both to the address on the form. Processing takes about two weeks after the OMV receives your envelope. To renew online, visit the Louisiana OMV website and follow the steps for online renewal. You will pay by credit or debit card, and your new license will be mailed to you within two weeks.
If your license expired more than two years ago, you cannot renew by mail or online. You will need to visit an OMV office and retake the written and practical driving tests, just as if you were getting your first license.
When you must visit an OMV office in person
You must come to an OMV office if you are getting your first license, if your license has been expired for more than two years, if you need to change your address, if you want to add or remove endorsements (such as a motorcycle endorsement), or if you are renewing and your renewal notice says you must appear in person.
Drivers over 70 must renew in person every time, rather than by mail or online. If you have had a medical condition, a suspension, or a revocation since your last license was issued, the OMV may also require an in-person visit. Bring all the same documents you would bring for a first license, plus your current license if you have one.
OMV offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Wait times vary by location and time of day. Some offices allow you to schedule an appointment online, which can reduce your wait time significantly.
Understanding Louisiana license types and endorsements
Louisiana issues a standard Class D driver license for regular passenger vehicles. If you want to drive a motorcycle, you need a motorcycle endorsement added to your license. To get a motorcycle endorsement, you must pass a separate written test and a practical riding test on a motorcycle.
A commercial driver license (CDL) is required if you drive a truck over a certain weight, a bus, or a vehicle carrying hazardous materials. Getting a CDL requires additional written tests, a practical test, and a medical examination. The process takes longer than a standard license and has stricter vision and hearing requirements.
You can also add a chauffeur endorsement if you want to drive passengers for hire. Each endorsement has its own test and fee.
What happens after you pass your tests
Once you pass both the written and practical driving tests, the OMV will issue your license on the spot or mail it to you within a few days, depending on the office. Your license will be valid for four years if you are under 70, or six years if you are 70 or older. The expiration date is printed on the front of your license.
Your license serves as your primary form of identification in Louisiana. You will need it to vote, to board a domestic flight, to enter a federal building, and to open a bank account. If your license is lost or stolen, you can request a replacement at any OMV office by bringing your proof of identity and residency again.
If you move to another state, your Louisiana license remains valid until it expires, but you should get a license from your new state within the timeframe that state requires. Most states require you to get a new license within 30 to 60 days of moving.
Fees and what they cover
The fee for a new Louisiana driver license is different from the fee for a renewal. A new license costs more because it includes the cost of the written test, the practical test, and the photograph. A renewal costs less because you are not retaking tests. Both fees are set by the state and do not vary between OMV offices.
If you need a replacement license because yours was lost, stolen, or damaged, the fee is the same as a renewal fee. If you need to change your address without renewing your license, there is a small fee for an address change only.
The OMV accepts cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card, depending on the office and whether you are renewing in person, by mail, or online. If you are renewing by mail, you must send a check or money order. If you are renewing online, you must use a credit or debit card.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a Louisiana driver license after I pass my tests?
If you pass your tests at an OMV office, your license is usually issued the same day or mailed within a few days. If you renew by mail or online, your new license arrives within two weeks of the OMV receiving your request. Processing times can be longer during busy seasons.
Can I drive before my new license arrives in the mail?
No. You cannot drive legally until you have your physical license in hand. If you pass your tests and receive a temporary paper license, that temporary is valid for a limited time only. Once your permanent license arrives, the temporary is no longer valid.
What if I fail the written or practical driving test?
You can retake the test the same day or schedule another appointment for a later date. There is a fee each time you retake a test. Most people are allowed to retake a failed test within a few days without waiting weeks.
Do I need a Louisiana driver license if I only drive in Louisiana occasionally?
If you live in Louisiana, you are required to get a Louisiana driver license within 30 days of establishing residency. If you live in another state and visit Louisiana, you can drive with your home state license. However, if you move to Louisiana permanently, you must get a Louisiana license.
What documents do I need if my name has changed since my last license?
Bring the legal document that shows your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The OMV will verify the document and issue a new license with your current legal name. You will need to visit an OMV office in person for a name change.