What You Need Before You Start
Louisiana lets you renew your driver's license online if your license is still valid or expired no more than one year ago. You will need your current or expired license number, your Social Security number, and a valid email address. The process takes about 10 minutes, and you will receive your renewed license by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Before you begin, check that your address on file with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles is correct. If you have moved, you will need to update your address first — the online renewal system will not let you change it during the renewal process. You can update your address by visiting an OMV office in person or by calling the OMV at 225-925-6146.
You also cannot renew online if your license was suspended, revoked, or cancelled. If any of those explore to you, you must visit an OMV office in person. The same rule applies if you need to change your name, add or remove restrictions, or update your photo.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online only if your license is still valid or expired less than one year ago, and it was not suspended or revoked.
- The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles online renewal system requires your license number, Social Security number, and a valid email address.
- Your mailing address must be current before you start the renewal — you cannot change it during the online process.
- Your renewed license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days, and you can use your old license until the new one arrives.
How to Renew Step by Step
Go to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles website at omv.louisiana.gov and look for the online renewal link on the homepage. Click on "Renew Your Driver's License Online." You will be taken to a find portal where you enter your driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your record and ask you to confirm your personal information.
Review everything on the screen carefully: your name, date of birth, address, and any restrictions or endorsements on your license. If anything is wrong, stop and visit an OMV office instead — the online system cannot fix errors in your record. If everything matches, click to confirm and move to the next screen.
You will then answer a series of questions about your health and driving record. These are the same questions you would answer at an OMV office: whether you have any medical conditions that affect your driving, whether you have been convicted of certain traffic offenses in the past year, and whether you want to register as an organ donor. Answer honestly. If you answer yes to any disqualifying question, the system will tell you that you cannot renew online and will direct you to an OMV office.
Once you finish the questions, you will see a summary of your renewal. Review it one more time, then enter your email address and click to submit. You will receive a confirmation email within a few minutes. Keep that email — it contains your transaction number, which you can use to check the status of your renewal.
What Happens After You Submit
The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles processes online renewals in the order they are received. Your renewal typically takes 5 to 7 business days to process, and then your new license is printed and mailed. The entire process from submission to delivery usually takes 7 to 10 business days, though it can take longer during busy periods or if there is a problem with your process.
You can check the status of your renewal at any time by going back to the OMV website and entering your transaction number and email address. The status page will tell you whether your renewal is pending, approved, printed, or mailed. If your renewal is approved and printed but not yet mailed, it should arrive within a few days.
Your old license remains valid until your new one arrives. You do not need to do anything else — just wait for the mail. If you do not receive your new license within 12 business days, contact the OMV at 225-925-6146 to report it.
When You Cannot Renew Online
If your license was suspended, revoked, or cancelled, you must visit an OMV office in person. The same applies if you have an outstanding traffic ticket, unpaid traffic fines, or a child support obligation that has been reported to the OMV. The online system will reject your renewal and tell you to visit an office.
You also cannot renew online if you need to change your name, add or remove endorsements (such as a commercial driver's license endorsement), update your photo, or change any medical information. These changes require an in-person visit and sometimes additional documentation.
If your license expired more than one year ago, you may not be able to renew online — Louisiana treats very old renewals as new applications, which require an in-person visit, a new photo, and a written test. Call the OMV at 225-925-6146 to confirm whether your license is too old to renew online.
Fees and Payment
Louisiana charges $35 for a standard five-year driver's license renewal. When you renew online, you pay this fee using a credit card, debit card, or electronic check during the renewal process. The payment is processed when ready, and you will see the charge on your statement within one or two business days.
If you are 70 or older, your renewal fee is $20 instead of $35. If you are renewing a commercial driver's license, the fee is higher — $55 for a five-year renewal. The online system will show you the correct fee before you pay.
There are no additional fees for mailing your new license. If you want your license mailed to an address different from the one on file, you must visit an OMV office in person — the online system does not offer that option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew online if my license is suspended?
No. If your license is suspended, revoked, or cancelled, you must visit an OMV office in person. The online system will reject your renewal and direct you to an office. You will need to resolve the suspension before you can renew.
What if I moved and my address is wrong?
Update your address before you start the online renewal. You can do this by calling the OMV at 225-925-6146 or by visiting an OMV office. The online renewal system will not let you change your address during the process, so your new license will be mailed to whatever address is currently on file.
How long does it take to get my new license in the mail?
Most renewals take 7 to 10 business days from the time you submit online to the time your new license arrives. This includes 5 to 7 days for processing and approval, plus 2 to 3 days for mailing. During busy periods, it can take up to 12 business days.
Can I renew online if my license expired more than a year ago?
It depends. Licenses that expired more than one year ago may be treated as new applications, which require an in-person visit, a new photo, and a written test. Call the OMV at 225-925-6146 to find out whether your license is too old to renew online.
What if I do not receive my new license after two weeks?
Contact the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles at 225-925-6146 and provide your transaction number. They can check whether your license was mailed and help you track it down. If it was lost in the mail, they can reissue it.