What You Need to Renew Online in Louisiana
Louisiana lets you renew your driver's license online through the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) website if your license is not expired more than one year and you meet a few other conditions. You will need your current Louisiana driver's license number, your Social Security number, and a valid payment method — a debit card, credit card, or bank account for the fee, which is $27.50 for a four-year renewal or $40 for an eight-year renewal.
The online renewal process takes about 10 minutes and you can do it from home. Your new license will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days. You do not need to visit an OMV office, take a new photo, or pass a vision test if you are renewing by mail or online.
Not everyone can renew online. You cannot use the online system if your license has been suspended or revoked, if you need to update your address, if you want to change your name, or if you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL). In those cases, you must visit an OMV office in person.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online only if your Louisiana driver's license expired within the last year and you have no suspensions or address changes.
- The online renewal fee is $27.50 for four years or $40 for eight years, paid by debit card, credit card, or bank account.
- Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days after you complete the online process.
- If your license is expired more than one year, suspended, or you need to change your address or name, you must renew in person at an OMV office.
Step-by-Step: Completing Your Online Renewal
Start by going to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles website at omv.louisiana.gov. Look for the "Renew Your License" or "Online Services" section and select the option for online renewal. You will be taken to a find portal where you enter your driver's license number and Social Security number to pull up your record.
Review the information on your current license — name, address, date of birth, and any restrictions or endorsements. If everything is correct, you can proceed. If your address has changed or any information is wrong, stop here and schedule an in-person appointment instead, because the online system will not let you make those changes.
Next, you will choose your renewal period: four years ($27.50) or eight years ($40). Enter your payment information — the system accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, or a bank account for electronic check payment. After you submit payment, you will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Write down or save this number in case you need to check on your order later.
When Your New License Arrives
Your renewed license will be mailed to the address on file at the OMV. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days from the date you complete your online renewal. If you do not receive it within that window, you can contact the OMV to check the status using your confirmation number.
Until your new license arrives, your current license remains valid even if it has technically expired. You can continue to use it for identification and driving. Once the new license arrives, destroy your old one or keep it for your records — Louisiana does not require you to return expired licenses.
Who Cannot Renew Online
If your license expired more than one year ago, you cannot use the online system. You will need to visit an OMV office, bring proof of residency, and may need to retake your vision test depending on how long it has been expired.
You also cannot renew online if your license has been suspended or revoked for any reason — traffic violations, unpaid fines, medical reasons, or other causes. The OMV system will block your renewal and direct you to contact the office to resolve the suspension before you can renew.
Address changes, name changes, and corrections to your date of birth or other personal information must be done in person. If you need a commercial driver's license (CDL) or are adding a CDL endorsement, you must visit an OMV office and take the required tests.
Finding an OMV Office If You Cannot Renew Online
Louisiana has OMV offices in most parishes. You can find the office nearest you and check their hours on the OMV website at omv.louisiana.gov. Many offices now use an online appointment system, so you can schedule a time slot rather than waiting in line.
Bring your current driver's license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement with your current address), and your Social Security card or a document with your Social Security number. If you are renewing after a suspension, bring proof that the suspension has been lifted — the OMV will tell you what that proof looks like when you call or visit.
What Happens If You Miss the Renewal Window
If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must go to an OMV office in person. You will need to pass a vision test and may need to retake the written test depending on how long the license has been expired and your age. Bring the same documents you would for an in-person renewal: current ID, proof of residency, and your Social Security number.
Driving with an expired license is illegal in Louisiana, even if you have submitted a renewal process. If you are stopped by police, you can show your confirmation number from your online renewal, but that does not may provide you will not be cited. If your renewal is taking longer than expected, contact the OMV office to check the status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew online if my address has changed?
No. The online system does not allow address changes. You must visit an OMV office in person to update your address at the same time you renew your license. Bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease agreement dated within the last 60 days.
What if my license was suspended but the suspension is now lifted?
You cannot renew online while a suspension is active. Once the suspension is lifted, contact your local OMV office to confirm the suspension has been cleared from your record. After that is done, you may be able to renew online, or the office may ask you to renew in person depending on the reason for the suspension.
How long does it take to get my new license after I pay online?
Standard mail delivery is 7 to 10 business days from the date you submit your payment. This does not include weekends or state holidays. If you need your license sooner, you cannot expedite an online renewal — you must visit an OMV office and renew in person, which gives you a temporary license on the spot.
Can I renew online if my license is suspended for unpaid traffic fines?
No. You must pay or resolve the fines first. Contact the court or the OMV to find out what you owe and how to pay. Once the fines are paid and the suspension is lifted, you can renew online or in person.
What if the online system says I cannot renew?
The system will block your renewal if your license is suspended, revoked, expired more than one year, or if there is a flag on your record. Call your local OMV office with your driver's license number to find out why you cannot renew online and what steps you need to take next.