How to get your license back after a DUI in Louisiana
Getting a license back after a DUI is an agency process, not a court one: the steps below are the ones the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of Motor Vehicles lists, in its order, each quoted from the agency's own page. Requirements differ by offense, blood-alcohol level, refusal, and prior record; the state's wording controls.
Steps the state lists
- 1
Serve the mandatory suspension period
The OMV Suspensions page lists 'Serve Mandatory Suspension and/or Disqualification Period' as the first compliance item after a DWI/UDUI conviction. For convictions on or after 8/15/2007 the OMV table shows 365 days for a first DWI, 730 days for a first DWI with BAC .20+, 730 days for a second DWI, 1,460 days for a second DWI with BAC .20+, 1095 days for a third or subsequent DWI, and 365 days for UDUI.
What the source says
“DWI 1st 90 days ( 3 mths ) 365 days ( 1 yr ) DWI 1st with BAC .20+ 730 days ( 2 yrs ) 730 days ( 2 yrs ) DWI 2nd 365 days ( 1 yr ) 730 days ( 2 yrs ) ... UDUI 180 days ( 6 mths ) 365 days ( 1 yr )”
- 2
File proof of financial responsibility (SR-22) for 3 years
The OMV lists filing an SR-22 for 3 years from the date of conviction as a compliance requirement for DWI/UDUI conviction suspensions; for administrative refusal suspensions the SR-22 runs 3 years from the date of arrest.
What the source says
“Compliance Serve Mandatory Suspension and/or Disqualification Period File Proof of Financial Responsibility (SR-22 insurance) for 3 years from the date of conviction Pay Fee”
- 3
Pay the reinstatement fee
The OMV lists the DWI reinstatement fee as $100 for a first DWI, $200 for a second, $300 for a third or subsequent, and $60 for UDUI. Administrative 'submit' (BAC .08+) and refusal suspensions carry a $50 fee. Fees may be paid by phone with a debit or credit card, by mail with a money order, certified funds, or cashier's check, or through a Public Tag Agency.
What the source says
“Pay Fee Fee DWI 1st: $100 DWI 2nd: $200 DWI 3rd+: $300 UDUI: $60”
- 4
Sign an ignition interlock installation agreement, if the interlock is a condition of reinstatement
For administrative 'submit' (BAC .08 or above) and refusal suspensions, the OMV lists 'Ignition Interlock Installment/Agreement (if required as a condition of reinstatement)'. The OMV states the interlock is required when the arrest paperwork and driving history show a crash with moderate or serious bodily injury, a child age 12 or younger in the vehicle, or a prior alcohol violation within ten years; the record then reflects that an interlock is required upon reinstatement or upon issuance of a restricted hardship license. This item does not appear in the OMV's compliance list for DWI conviction suspensions.
What the source says
“Then the record will reflect that an ignition interlock device will be required upon expiration of the suspension and reinstatement of the driving privileges or upon issuance of a restricted hardship license.”
- 5
Clear any flags on the record and complete reinstatement by appointment, phone, mail, or Public Tag Agency
The OMV's REINSTATEMENTS section states that a customer with flags on their record must clear those flags before obtaining any OMV services, that license status can be checked online, and that reinstatement services are available at select OMV field offices by appointment only or through the Contact Us link, by phone, by mail, or through a Public Tag Agency.
What the source says
“If a customer has flags on their record, they must clear those flags before obtaining any OMV services. ... Reinstatement services are available at select OMV field offices by appointment only .”
Official reinstatement page: Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of Motor Vehicles
Conditions that travel with reinstatement
| Reinstatement fee | $100 (DWI 1st) |
|---|---|
| SR-22 / financial-responsibility filing | Yes · 3 years — Louisiana SR-22 requirements |
| Ignition interlock | Louisiana interlock rule |
| Required program | Court-approved substance abuse program and court-approved driver improvement program (La. R.S. 14:98.1(A)(1)(b)-(c)) |
| Driving during the suspension | Restricted driver's license (red 'R' interlock-restricted license); OMV refers to a 'restricted hardship license' |
| Re-examination | Knowledge test: not addressed by the agency · road test: not addressed by the agency |
Required program: Court-approved substance abuse program and court-approved driver improvement program (La. R.S. 14:98.1(A)(1)(b)-(c))
Under La. R.S. 14:98.1(A)(1), a first-offense DWI sentence may be suspended only if the offender is placed on probation with minimum conditions that include participation in a court-approved substance abuse program, which must include a screening for substance-use-disorder risk (if the screening shows risk, the court may order an assessment by a licensed clinician), and participation in a court-approved driver improvement program. These are court-imposed probation conditions; the OMV Suspensions page does not list a program as an OMV reinstatement requirement.
“(b)(i) Participate in a court-approved substance abuse program, which shall include a screening to determine if the offender is at risk for a substance use disorder.”
Driving during the suspension: Restricted driver's license (red 'R' interlock-restricted license); OMV refers to a 'restricted hardship license'
Under La. R.S. 32:378.2(B)(1), a person with a first or second DWI conviction, a driving-while-suspended conviction arising from such a DWI, a chemical-test refusal, or a test result over 0.08 shall, upon proof that the vehicle has a functioning ignition interlock device, be issued a restricted driver's license. Under (B)(2) the restricted license is designated by a large red 'R' and is effective for the remaining suspension period or as long as the interlock is in place, whichever is longer; under (B)(3) the department designates in writing the routes and times the licensee may drive to earn a livelihood. A first offender with a BAC of 0.15 or greater shall be issued a restricted license for the entire two-year suspension with an interlock. The OMV Suspensions page refers to 'issuance of a restricted hardship license'.
“(2) The restricted license shall be designated as such by a large red "R" and shall be effective for the remaining period of suspension or as long as the functioning ignition interlock device is in place, whichever period is longer.”
Full page: waiting period, conditions and hearing deadline for the Hardship License
When the interlock can be removed
No compliance-based early-removal provision was found in La. R.S. 32:378.2 or on the OMV Suspensions page. The restricted license and interlock run for the remaining suspension period or as long as the device is in place, whichever is longer (§ 32:378.2(B)(2)). Under § 32:378.2(O), on notice of a violation of the (M)(2) standards (tampering, circumvention, failing to have the device serviced every thirty days more than two times, three or more failed or missed tests in a thirty-day period, or unauthorized removal), the Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall further restrict the license and extend the interlock period by one month for a first offense or six months for a second or subsequent offense. Under (B)(4), tampering with, circumventing, or removing the device during the restricted-license period brings a suspension of up to one year. The statute names the department as the agency that extends the period; it does not name an agency that authorizes removal or set a removal fee cap.
Compliance period: none stated; violations extend the requirement by 1 month (first offense) or 6 months (second or subsequent offense)
“the department shall further restrict the driver's license and extend the period the ignition interlock device is required as follows: (a) One month if the ignition interlock device was installed pursuant to a first offense”
Will you have to retake the test? Re-examination in Louisiana
Some states hand the license back once the conditions are met; others treat a revoked or long-withdrawn license as expired and issue a new one only after the knowledge test, the road test or a vision screening is passed again. The rules below are the licensing agency's own, one per test.
| Knowledge (written) test | Not addressed by the agency The Office of Motor Vehicles lists what clears a DWI suspension — serving the suspension period, filing an SR-22 for three years from the conviction date and paying the fee — and names no written test. The knowledge test appears on the OMV site only as a requirement for a new license, where every applicant passes the vision, knowledge (written) and road skills tests. What the source says“Serve Mandatory Suspension and/or Disqualification Period File Proof of Financial Responsibility (SR-22 insurance) for 3 years from the date of conviction Pay Fee” |
|---|---|
| Road (driving) test | Not addressed by the agency No OMV reinstatement page mentions a road skills test. The renewal page lists a vision test and, in general terms, successful completion of required tests if applicable, without saying when a test applies. What the source says“Successful completion of required tests, if applicable” |
| Vision screening | Not addressed by the agency The reinstatement pages do not mention vision. The OMV lists successful passing of a vision test among the requirements for an in-office renewal, and its FAQ states a vision test is taken whenever a license is reissued at an office, for example to remove a corrective-lenses restriction. What the source says“Successful passing of vision test” |
What triggers a re-test
No OMV page ties a test to a suspension, a revocation or an expiry. Under the Driver's License Law a suspension is a temporary withdrawal, while a revocation terminates the license, which is not renewed; an application for a new license may be presented after at least one year. On expiry of either period the statute has the department return the license or, in its discretion, issue a new one after the reinstatement fee and proof of financial responsibility.
“(22) "Revocation" means that the driver's license to drive a motor vehicle on the highways is terminated and shall not be renewed, except that an application for a new license may be presented and acted upon by the department after the expiration of at least one year after revocation.”- Where to take it
- expresslane.la.gov — road skills tests are given at OMV field offices, some by schedule and not during inclement weather; reinstatement services are handled at select field offices by appointment, by phone or by mail
- Official driver manual
- Class D & E Driver's Guide
- The rule
- La. R.S. 32:414(H)
“upon the expiration of the period of the suspension or revocation of any license, the department shall return the license to the licensee or in its discretion may issue him a new license but only after a reinstatement fee of sixty dollars has been paid to the department”
Questions about re-testing in Louisiana
- Does a Louisiana DWI suspension mean retaking the written or driving test?
- The OMV does not say so. Its suspension page lists serving the suspension period, filing an SR-22 for three years from the conviction date and paying the fee ($100 for a first DWI, $200 for a second, $300 for a third or later), with no test. R.S. 32:414 provides that, at the end of a suspension or revocation, the department returns the license or may in its discretion issue a new one after the reinstatement fee and proof of financial responsibility.
- What is the difference between a suspension and a revocation in Louisiana?
- R.S. 32:401 defines a suspension as a temporary withdrawal of the license during the suspension period, and a revocation as termination of the license, which is not renewed; an application for a new license may be presented after at least one year. R.S. 32:408 requires every applicant for a license to pass a written knowledge and skills test, with a test of eyesight, unless otherwise provided.
- Is a vision test part of renewing a Louisiana license?
- Yes. The OMV renewal page lists successful passing of a vision test among the requirements, together with successful completion of required tests if applicable.
Reinstatement knowledge check: Louisiana
Ten questions on the rules this site cites for the state — the figures the licensing agency and the statute state, with a link to where each one is stated. The order changes every time.
This is not the agency's knowledge test and does not predict it; it checks the rules cited on this site.
Questions about reinstatement in Louisiana
- What does the Louisiana OMV require to reinstate a license after a DWI conviction?
- The OMV Suspensions page lists three compliance items for a DWI or UDUI conviction suspension: serve the mandatory suspension period, file proof of financial responsibility (SR-22 insurance) for 3 years from the date of conviction, and pay the fee ($100 for a first DWI, $200 second, $300 third or subsequent, $60 UDUI). Customers with flags on their record must clear them before obtaining OMV services.
- Is there a hardship or restricted license in Louisiana while suspended for DWI?
- Yes. Under La. R.S. 32:378.2(B), a person with a first or second DWI conviction, a refusal, or a test over 0.08 may be issued a restricted driver's license upon proof that the vehicle has a functioning ignition interlock device. The license is marked with a large red 'R', lists the routes and times the person may drive to earn a livelihood, and lasts for the remaining suspension or as long as the interlock is in place, whichever is longer.
- Can the interlock period be extended or ended early in Louisiana?
- La. R.S. 32:378.2 contains no early-removal provision. Under § 32:378.2(O), when the manufacturer reports violations such as tampering, circumvention, more than two missed thirty-day service visits, three or more failed or missed tests in a thirty-day period, or unauthorized removal, the department extends the interlock period by one month (first offense) or six months (second or subsequent offense).
Sources
- Louisiana OMV – Suspensions (DWI/UDUI compliance list, suspension periods, fees, interlock conditions, reinstatement services)
- Louisiana OMV – Driver Reinstatement (landing page)
- La. R.S. 32:378.2 – Ignition interlock devices; restricted license; violation extensions (Louisiana State Legislature)
- La. R.S. 14:98.1 – Operating while impaired; first offense; probation conditions including substance abuse and driver improvement programs (Louisiana State Legislature)