Reinstating a Driver's License in Louisiana
How to check your Louisiana license status, what gets a license suspended, reinstatement steps and fees, and hardship licenses.
Short answer: Check your driver's license status online with the Office of Motor Vehicles' Reinstatement Inquiry; any flags on your record must be cleared before you can get other OMV services. Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, Suspensions
| Checking and reinstating a license | Check your driver's license status online with the Office of Motor Vehicles' Reinstatement Inquiry; any flags on your record must be cleared before you can get other OMV services. Reinstatement fees include: unpaid ticket or failure to appear (per affidavit) $100 for a Louisiana court, $60 in lieu, $60 for an out-of-state court, $87.50 for Shreveport City Court; motor carrier ticket $50; child support nonpayment $60; unpaid state income tax $60; DWI test over the limit (submit) $50; refusal $50; DWI conviction $100 (1st), $200 (2nd), $300 (3rd+); UDUI $60; driving while suspended $60. Refusal and DWI cases require SR-22 insurance for 3 years. For ticket or failure-to-appear suspensions, send OMV proof of compliance (compliance including the ticket number, paid receipt, final disposition of the affidavit, or a continuance) by fax, mail or the Contact Us link. Pay by card through the OMV Call Center (225-925-6146, option 3), by money order, certified funds or cashier's check to OMV Mail Center, P.O. Box 64886, Baton Rouge, LA 70896, at a public tag agency, or at some field offices by appointment. Status check: https://expresslane.la.gov/omvservices/ReinstatementInquiry/Index |
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| License suspension | The OMV lists suspensions for, among other things: unpaid traffic tickets or failure to appear in court; nonpayment of child support; nonpayment of state income taxes; DWI arrests (failed or refused chemical tests) and DWI convictions; and driving while suspended (a one-year suspension). Reinstatement requires serving the suspension, showing proof of compliance, and paying the listed fee; DWI-related reinstatements also require SR-22 proof of insurance for 3 years and, in some cases, an ignition interlock. Source: Louisiana OMV, Suspensions |
| Hardship or restricted license | The OMV refers to a restricted hardship license being available in some suspension cases. For alcohol-related suspensions that require an ignition interlock, the interlock must be installed upon reinstatement or upon issuance of a restricted hardship license. A driver whose license is suspended must have served the suspension or be eligible for and obtain a hardship license to enter an OMV installment plan. Eligibility rules for a hardship license were not found on an official page read for this record. Source: Louisiana OMV, Suspensions |
Where to get help in Louisiana
More Louisiana traffic tickets & dui
- DUI Laws in Louisiana
- How Driver Points Work in Louisiana
- Paying or Contesting a Traffic Ticket in Louisiana
- All Louisiana traffic tickets & dui rules
FAQ
How do I check if my license is suspended and get it reinstated in Louisiana?
Check your driver's license status online with the Office of Motor Vehicles' Reinstatement Inquiry; any flags on your record must be cleared before you can get other OMV services. Reinstatement fees include: unpaid ticket or failure to appear (per affidavit) $100 for a Louisiana court, $60 in lieu, $60 for an out-of-state court, $87.50 for Shreveport City Court; motor carrier ticket $50; child support nonpayment $60; unpaid state income tax $60; DWI test over the limit (submit) $50; refusal $50; DWI conviction $100 (1st), $200 (2nd), $300 (3rd+); UDUI $60; driving while suspended $60. Refusal and DWI cases require SR-22 insurance for 3 years. For ticket or failure-to-appear suspensions, send OMV proof of compliance (compliance including the ticket number, paid receipt, final disposition of the affidavit, or a continuance) by fax, mail or the Contact Us link. Pay by card through the OMV Call Center (225-925-6146, option 3), by money order, certified funds or cashier's check to OMV Mail Center, P.O. Box 64886, Baton Rouge, LA 70896, at a public tag agency, or at some field offices by appointment.
What gets your license suspended in Louisiana?
The OMV lists suspensions for, among other things: unpaid traffic tickets or failure to appear in court; nonpayment of child support; nonpayment of state income taxes; DWI arrests (failed or refused chemical tests) and DWI convictions; and driving while suspended (a one-year suspension). Reinstatement requires serving the suspension, showing proof of compliance, and paying the listed fee; DWI-related reinstatements also require SR-22 proof of insurance for 3 years and, in some cases, an ignition interlock.
Can you get a hardship license in Louisiana?
The OMV refers to a restricted hardship license being available in some suspension cases. For alcohol-related suspensions that require an ignition interlock, the interlock must be installed upon reinstatement or upon issuance of a restricted hardship license. A driver whose license is suspended must have served the suspension or be eligible for and obtain a hardship license to enter an OMV installment plan.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.