What you need to do to get your Louisiana license back
If you hold a valid driver's license from another state and want to switch to a Louisiana license, you do not need to "reinstate" it — you need to transfer your out-of-state license to Louisiana. The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) will cancel your current license and issue you a new Louisiana one in its place.
The process takes about 30 minutes at an OMV office if you have all required documents. You cannot do this by mail or online. You must appear in person with your current out-of-state license, proof of Louisiana residency, and proof of identity. The OMV will give you a temporary paper license on the spot while your plastic card is printed and mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit an OMV office in person with your valid out-of-state license, a Louisiana address document, and a second form of ID.
- Louisiana will not accept an expired out-of-state license, so if yours has expired, you must renew it in your current state first.
- The transfer fee is $32.50 for a four-year license or $65 for an eight-year license; you choose the term when you explore.
- You will receive a temporary paper license when ready and your plastic card within 7 to 10 business days by mail.
- If you are moving to Louisiana but do not yet have a lease or utility bill, you can use a notarized affidavit of residency instead.
Documents you must bring to the OMV office
Bring your current valid out-of-state driver's license — it must not be expired. If it has expired, you will need to renew it in your current state before Louisiana will accept it. The OMV will not process an expired license under any circumstances.
Bring one document that proves your Louisiana address. The OMV accepts a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax notice in your name. The document must show your name and a Louisiana street address and be dated within the last 60 days. A PO box does not count as a residential address.
Bring a second form of ID to verify your identity. This can be a passport, military ID, state ID card, or birth certificate. If you bring a birth certificate, you must also bring a Social Security card or W-2 form to confirm your Social Security number.
What to do if you do not have a Louisiana address yet
If you are relocating to Louisiana but do not yet have a lease, utility bill, or other address document in your name, you can use a notarized affidavit of residency. This is a signed statement, witnessed by a notary public, that confirms you live at a specific Louisiana address.
You can obtain a notarized affidavit from a notary public at a bank, UPS Store, or online notary service. The affidavit must include your name, the Louisiana address where you are living, and a statement that you are a resident of that address. The notary will sign and stamp it. Bring this affidavit to the OMV along with your out-of-state license and second form of ID.
Finding an OMV office and what to expect
Louisiana has OMV offices in every parish. You can visit any office — you do not have to go to the one in your parish. Find the nearest office and its hours on the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles website, or call 225-925-6146 to confirm hours before you go.
Bring all documents in person. Wait times vary by location and time of day; early morning and midweek visits are usually shorter. The OMV staff will review your documents, take a new photo, and collect the transfer fee. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your plastic card is printed and mailed to your Louisiana address.
Do not plan to drive out of state on your temporary license. It is valid only in Louisiana. If you need to travel before your plastic card arrives, carry both your temporary license and your old out-of-state license.
The fee and license term options
When you transfer your license, you choose how long you want it to be valid. A four-year license costs $32.50. An eight-year license costs $65. The OMV does not prorate fees based on how long your out-of-state license had remaining — you pay the full amount for whichever term you choose.
Your new license will expire on your birthday in the year it is issued, plus the number of years you selected. For example, if you transfer on March 15, 2025, and choose a four-year license, it will expire on your birthday in 2029. Plan ahead if you will be out of state when your license expires; you can renew by mail if you have a valid Louisiana address on file.
What happens to your out-of-state license
When the OMV processes your transfer, your out-of-state license is surrendered — you will not get it back. The OMV will keep it. If you want to keep it as a memento, ask the staff before they take it; some offices will make a copy for you instead, though this is not may provide.
Once your Louisiana license is issued, you are no longer licensed to drive in your previous state. If you move back to that state later, you will need to transfer your Louisiana license to that state's DMV, following that state's process.
If your out-of-state license is suspended or revoked
Louisiana will not transfer a license that is suspended or revoked in your current state. Before you visit the OMV, contact the DMV in your current state to confirm your license status. If it is suspended or revoked, you must resolve that issue first — usually by paying fines, completing a safety course, or waiting out a suspension period.
Once your license is clear in your current state, you can proceed with the transfer to Louisiana. If you are unsure of your status, call the OMV at 225-925-6146 and provide your out-of-state license number; they can check for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my license if it expires soon?
Yes. As long as your out-of-state license is currently valid (not expired), the OMV will transfer it. Your new Louisiana license will have its own expiration date based on when you explore and the term you choose, so the fact that your old license was about to expire does not matter.
Do I need to take a written test or eye exam?
No. When you transfer from another state, you do not take a written test or road test. You will have your photo taken and your vision will be checked at the OMV office, but you will not be tested on traffic laws or driving skills.
How long does it take to receive my plastic license card?
The OMV mails your plastic card within 7 to 10 business days of your visit. You receive a temporary paper license when ready that is valid for 30 days. If your card does not arrive within two weeks, contact the OMV at 225-925-6146 with your temporary license number.
What if I moved to Louisiana but still have an out-of-state address on my car registration?
Your driver's license and vehicle registration are separate. You can transfer your license to Louisiana without changing your vehicle registration. However, Louisiana law requires you to register your vehicle in Louisiana within 30 days of establishing residency, so you will need to do that separately at your parish OMV office.
Can I transfer my license if I am not a U.S. citizen?
Yes, if you have a valid out-of-state license. Louisiana does not require citizenship to hold a driver's license. You will need to provide proof of Louisiana residency and a valid form of ID, just as any other applicant would. Bring your out-of-state license, residency document, and second form of ID to the OMV.