Louisiana reinstatement fees depend on why your license was suspended
Louisiana charges different reinstatement fees based on the reason for suspension. A suspension for unpaid traffic fines costs less to clear than a suspension for a DUI conviction or failure to pay child support. The state also charges an additional license reinstatement fee on top of whatever caused the suspension in the first place — for example, if you owe fines, you pay the fines plus the reinstatement fee.
The base reinstatement fee in Louisiana is $100 for most suspensions. However, if your suspension was for a drug-related offense, the fee is $250. If you were suspended for multiple reasons — say, unpaid fines and a failure to pay child support — you may owe reinstatement fees for each cause, though the state does not always charge the full amount twice.
Before you can reinstate your license, you must resolve the underlying reason for suspension. That means paying fines, completing a DUI program, paying child support arrears, or satisfying whatever other requirement triggered the suspension. Only after that is resolved can you pay the reinstatement fee.
Key Takeaways
- The standard Louisiana reinstatement fee is $100, but it rises to $250 if your suspension was drug-related.
- You must first resolve the reason for suspension — pay fines, complete a program, or satisfy court orders — before you can pay the reinstatement fee.
- The Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) processes reinstatement requests, and you can check your suspension status online through the OMV website or by calling their customer service line.
- Reinstatement typically takes one to two weeks after the OMV receives your payment and confirmation that the underlying issue is resolved.
- If your suspension was for unpaid traffic fines, you can pay through the court that issued the ticket; if it was for child support, you work with the Office of Family Support.
How to find out what caused your suspension and what you owe
The first step is to confirm your suspension status and the reason for it. You can check this through the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) online portal at omv.louisiana.gov, or by calling the OMV customer service line at 225-925-6146. Have your driver's license number ready.
The OMV will tell you the specific reason — unpaid traffic fines, DUI suspension, failure to pay child support, medical suspension, or another cause — and what you must do to clear it. Different reasons have different resolution paths. If it is unpaid fines, the court that issued the ticket will have a record of what you owe. If it is child support, the Office of Family Support handles that. If it is a DUI, you may need to complete a substance abuse program or install an ignition interlock device.
Write down the exact amount owed and the agency responsible for collecting it. This information is crucial because you cannot proceed to reinstatement until that agency confirms the issue is resolved.
Paying fines and resolving the underlying suspension cause
If your suspension is for unpaid traffic fines, contact the court listed on your ticket. Most Louisiana courts allow you to pay by phone, online, or in person. Some courts use a centralized payment system; others handle payments individually. The court will provide a receipt or confirmation number showing the fine is paid.
If your suspension is for failure to pay child support, contact the Office of Family Support at 1-888-LAHELPS (1-888-524-3577). They will tell you the exact amount owed and payment options. Child support arrears often include interest and collection costs on top of the base amount.
If your suspension is for a DUI conviction, you may need to complete a Substance Abuse Program (SAP) or Impaired Driving Program (IDP) before reinstatement is possible. The court that convicted you will specify which program and how long it takes. Some programs run four weeks; others run longer. You cannot skip this step — the OMV will not reinstate your license until the program provider sends proof of completion to the state.
For medical suspensions, you will need a letter from your doctor or a medical evaluation showing you are safe to drive. Submit this to the OMV directly.
The reinstatement fee and how to pay it
Once the underlying cause is resolved, you pay the reinstatement fee to the OMV. The standard fee is $100; drug-related suspensions are $250. You can pay by mail, online, or in person at an OMV office.
To pay online, visit omv.louisiana.gov and look for the reinstatement payment option. You will need your driver's license number and the confirmation that your suspension cause has been cleared. Online payment typically processes within one business day.
To pay by mail, send a check or money order to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 64886, Baton Rouge, LA 70896. Include your driver's license number and a note explaining that this is a reinstatement fee. Mail payment takes longer — usually five to seven business days to reach the OMV, plus processing time.
To pay in person, visit any OMV office. Bring your driver's license, proof that the suspension cause is resolved, and payment in cash, check, or card. In-person payment is processed when ready, though your license may not be active until the next business day.
Timeline for reinstatement after payment
After the OMV receives your reinstatement fee and confirms that the underlying suspension cause is resolved, reinstatement typically takes one to two weeks. During this time, the OMV updates its records and notifies the Louisiana State Police. Your license becomes valid once the state police system is updated.
If you paid online or by mail, allow extra time for processing. Online payments are usually confirmed within one business day, but the full reinstatement process still takes one to two weeks. Mail payments can take five to seven days to arrive, which delays the start of the reinstatement clock.
You can check your reinstatement status by calling the OMV at 225-925-6146 or checking the online portal. Do not assume your license is active until you receive written confirmation from the OMV or until you verify it in the system yourself.
Multiple suspension reasons and stacked fees
If you have more than one reason for suspension — for example, unpaid fines and a failure to pay child support — you must resolve both before reinstatement. The OMV will not reinstate your license if any suspension cause remains active.
In most cases, you pay one $100 reinstatement fee even if you have multiple suspension reasons, though this can vary. However, you must pay all underlying fines, arrears, or program completion fees associated with each cause. For example, if you owe $500 in traffic fines and $2,000 in child support arrears, you pay both amounts plus the single $100 reinstatement fee.
Before you start paying, call the OMV and ask them to list every active suspension on your record. This prevents you from paying one cause, only to discover another suspension is still blocking reinstatement.
What happens if you drive with a suspended license
Driving with a suspended license in Louisiana is a criminal offense. A first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $100 to $300 and up to 30 days in jail. A second offense within five years carries a fine of $300 to $500 and up to 60 days in jail. A third or subsequent offense is a felony.
Beyond criminal penalties, driving on a suspended license can result in additional suspension time, higher fines, and difficulty obtaining insurance. If you are involved in an accident while driving suspended, your insurance will likely deny the claim, leaving you personally liable for damages.
If your license is suspended and you need to drive, ask the court about a hardship license or occupational license. These allow limited driving for work or medical purposes while your suspension is in effect. You must request this through the court that issued the suspension, and approval is not may provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reinstate my license online?
You can pay the reinstatement fee online through the OMV website, but the full reinstatement process requires the OMV to verify that your suspension cause is resolved. If you have already cleared the underlying issue, paying online speeds up the process. The OMV will update your status within one to two weeks.
What if I cannot afford to pay everything at once?
Contact the agency responsible for your suspension. Courts may offer payment plans for traffic fines. The Office of Family Support sometimes negotiates child support payment arrangements. The OMV does not typically offer payment plans for the reinstatement fee itself, but resolving the underlying cause through a payment plan can move you toward reinstatement.
How long does a suspension stay on my record?
Once your license is reinstated, the suspension is cleared from your active record. However, the history remains in the OMV system. This matters if you are explore for certain jobs or insurance, as they may ask about past suspensions. The suspension does not automatically disappear from your driving record after a set time.
Do I need a new photo for reinstatement?
No. Reinstatement does not require a new photo or a new license card. Your existing license becomes valid again once reinstatement is complete. If your license has expired for other reasons, you will need to renew it separately, which does require a new photo.
What if the OMV says my suspension is cleared but I still cannot get my license?
Call the OMV customer service line at 225-925-6146 and ask them to manually verify your status. Sometimes the system takes longer to update than expected. If there is a genuine error, the OMV can issue a temporary driving permit while they investigate and correct the record.