Where to renew your license in Metairie

Metairie residents renew their driver's licenses at the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) location in Metairie, which is located at 3501 North Causeway Boulevard. This is the main OMV office serving the Metairie area and handles all standard license renewals for Jefferson Parish residents.

You can also renew by mail if you meet certain conditions — your license must not be expired by more than one year, you must be between 21 and 59 years old, and you cannot have any medical restrictions or vision corrections that require testing. Mail renewal takes longer than in-person renewal, typically 4 to 6 weeks from the date the OMV receives your materials.

The Metairie OMV office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It is closed on Sundays and state holidays. Arrive early if you go on a Saturday, as wait times are typically longer.

Key Takeaways

  • The Metairie OMV office at 3501 North Causeway Boulevard is where you renew your license in person, and it is open six days a week.
  • You need a valid form of identification, proof of residency, and your current license or a certified copy of your birth certificate if your license is expired.
  • In-person renewal takes about 30 to 45 minutes from arrival to receiving your temporary license, though wait times vary by day and time of day.
  • Mail renewal is an option only if your license expired less than one year ago and you have no medical restrictions or vision corrections.
  • The renewal fee in Louisiana is $35 for a four-year license or $60 for an eight-year license, and you must choose your term length when you renew.

Documents you need to bring

Bring your current driver's license or a certified copy of your birth certificate if your license has expired. If you cannot locate either, the OMV will accept a passport, military ID, or state ID card as proof of identity and date of birth.

You also need proof of residency — a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days and showing your current Metairie address. A government-issued ID with your address also counts. If you have moved recently and your license still shows an old address, bring both your old address proof and your new address proof.

If you are renewing by mail, include a check or money order for the renewal fee, a completed Form DL-44 (available on the Louisiana OMV website), a copy of your current license, and a copy of your proof of residency. Mail the packet to the address listed on the form.

What happens during your in-person visit

When you arrive at the Metairie OMV office, take a number from the ticket dispenser near the entrance. You will wait until your number is called. The staff member will verify your documents, check your current license status in the system, and ask you to confirm your address and any other information that has changed since your last renewal.

You will then have your photo taken and your vision tested. The vision test is a standard screening — you read letters on a chart from a set distance. If you wear glasses or contacts, you can wear them during the test. If you fail the vision test, the OMV will note a vision correction requirement on your new license, meaning you must wear corrective lenses while driving.

After the photo and vision test, you will pay the renewal fee and receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days. Your permanent plastic license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Keep the temporary license with you while you drive until the permanent one arrives.

Renewal fees and license term options

Louisiana offers two renewal terms: a four-year license for $35 or an eight-year license for $60. You choose which term you want when you renew. The eight-year option costs more upfront but means you will not have to renew again for eight years, which can be worth it if you plan to stay in Louisiana long-term.

The OMV accepts cash, debit cards, and credit cards at the Metairie office. If you renew by mail, you must send a check or money order — the OMV does not process credit cards for mail renewals.

If your license is expired by more than one year

If your Louisiana driver's license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew by mail and must renew in person at the Metairie OMV office. The process is the same as a standard renewal, but you will need to bring your birth certificate or another form of ID that proves your date of birth, since an expired license is no longer valid identification.

You will still take the vision test and have a new photo taken. There is no additional fee or penalty for renewing a license that has been expired for more than one year — the renewal fee remains $35 for four years or $60 for eight years.

Renewing before your license expires

You can renew your license up to 90 days before it expires. Renewing early does not shorten the term of your new license — if you renew 60 days early with an eight-year license, your new license will still be valid for eight years from the renewal date, not from your old expiration date.

Renewing early can be useful if you have a busy schedule or want to avoid the rush near your expiration date. The Metairie OMV office is typically less crowded on weekday mornings between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., so that is a good time to go if you want a shorter wait.

What to do if you cannot visit the Metairie office

If you live in Metairie but cannot reach the Causeway Boulevard office, you can renew at any other OMV office in Louisiana. The nearest alternatives are the OMV office in New Orleans at 1221 Elmwood Park Boulevard and the office in Kenner at 2641 Williams Boulevard. All OMV offices follow the same renewal process and accept the same documents.

If you are out of state or unable to visit an office in person, mail renewal is your only option — and only if your license expired less than one year ago and you have no medical restrictions. Contact the Louisiana OMV at 225-925-6146 to confirm whether you are may be able to access for mail renewal before sending in your materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to renew my license at the Metairie OMV office?

In-person renewal typically takes 30 to 45 minutes from the time you arrive until you receive your temporary license. Wait times vary depending on how busy the office is — weekday mornings are usually faster than afternoons or Saturdays. You will receive a temporary paper license when ready and your permanent plastic license by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Can I renew my license online?

Louisiana does not offer online license renewal. You must renew in person at an OMV office or by mail if you meet the may be able to access requirements. Mail renewal is only an option if your license expired less than one year ago, you are between 21 and 59 years old, and you have no medical restrictions or vision corrections.

What if I have moved out of Metairie but still have a Metairie address on my license?

You can renew at the Metairie OMV office even if you no longer live there, but you will need to update your address during the renewal process. Bring proof of your new address along with your current license. The OMV will update your address in the system and print your new address on your renewed license.

Do I need an appointment to renew at the Metairie OMV office?

The Metairie OMV office does not require appointments for standard license renewals. You arrive, take a number, and wait to be called. However, you can check the OMV website or call 225-925-6146 to ask about current wait times before you go.

What if my vision test fails at the OMV?

If you fail the vision test, the OMV will note a vision correction requirement on your license, meaning you must wear glasses or contacts while driving. You can still renew your license the same day. If you believe the test result is incorrect, you can request a retest or bring a letter from your eye doctor stating your vision is correctable to the legal standard.