What Louisiana Charges to Reinstate Your License
You received a suspension notice from the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, and now you need to know what it costs to get your license back. That figure covers the administrative processing of your reinstatement application.
If your suspension stems from a DWI conviction or an implied-consent test refusal, Louisiana requires you to file an SR-22 certificate for three years and install an ignition interlock device before reinstatement. The total you pay depends on why your license was suspended and what compliance steps the state mandates before reinstatement.
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Get Your Free QuoteLouisiana Base Reinstatement Fee
This fee applies regardless of suspension reason and is paid directly to the OMV when you apply.
Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles
Why the Base Fee Is Only Part of the Cost
It does not cover the compliance requirements Louisiana imposes before reinstatement. If your suspension was triggered by a DWI conviction, an affidavit of arrest for refusing an implied-consent test, or an accident judgment, the state requires you to file a Certificate of Insurance (SR-22) proving you carry liability coverage that meets Louisiana's minimum limits: $15,000 bodily injury per person, $30,000 bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 property damage.
Louisiana requires the SR-22 to remain on file for three years from the date of reinstatement. If your policy lapses or cancels during that period, your carrier notifies the OMV and your license is suspended again. You pay the carrier's SR-22 fee when the filing is submitted, and you pay higher premiums for the duration of the filing period because SR-22 status signals elevated risk to insurers.
DWI-based suspensions add a second layer: Louisiana requires ignition interlock installation before reinstatement. The interlock requirement runs concurrently with the SR-22 filing period. You cannot reinstate without proof of installation, and you cannot remove the device until the OMV releases you from the interlock program.
If your suspension was not DWI-related — for example, a suspension for accumulating too many points or failing to pay a traffic fine — you may not need SR-22 filing or ignition interlock. The OMV determines what compliance steps apply to your specific suspension when you apply for reinstatement.
What You Need to Reinstate After a DWI Suspension
First, you must obtain SR-22 insurance from a carrier licensed to write in Louisiana. The carrier files the SR-22 certificate electronically with the OMV, proving you carry liability coverage that meets the state's minimum limits. The carrier charges a one-time filing fee when the SR-22 is submitted, and your premium increases because the SR-22 signals elevated risk. The SR-22 must remain on file for three years. If your policy lapses, the OMV suspends your license again and you restart the three-year clock.
Second, you must install an ignition interlock device in every vehicle you own or operate. The device requires you to provide a breath sample before the engine starts. The interlock requirement runs concurrently with the SR-22 filing period. You cannot reinstate without proof of installation, and the OMV must release you from the program before you can remove the device. The OMV processes reinstatement only after verifying SR-22 filing and interlock installation.
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How to Apply for Reinstatement in Louisiana
You apply for reinstatement directly with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. If your suspension was administrative — triggered by a DWI arrest, test refusal, or point accumulation — the OMV processes your application after the suspension period ends and you meet all compliance requirements. If your suspension was court-ordered, you must obtain a release from the court before the OMV will reinstate.
Gather proof of compliance before you apply. For DWI-based suspensions, you need proof of SR-22 filing from your carrier and proof of ignition interlock installation from the device provider. For non-DWI suspensions, you need proof that you resolved the triggering issue: paid outstanding fines, completed a driver improvement course if required, or satisfied a judgment. The OMV will not process your application until all compliance steps are documented.
The OMV verifies your compliance documentation and processes reinstatement. If your suspension included a requirement to retake the written or road test, schedule that test before you apply. The OMV issues a new license once reinstatement is approved and all fees are paid.
If the OMV denies your application — for example, because SR-22 filing lapsed or ignition interlock was not installed — you must resolve the deficiency and reapply. Missing a compliance step delays reinstatement and adds cost.
Louisiana SR-22 Filing Period
3 years
Louisiana requires SR-22 filing for three years after a DWI conviction or implied-consent test refusal. The three-year period begins on the date of reinstatement, not the date of conviction. If your policy lapses during the filing period, your license is suspended again.
Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:415.1
When a Hardship License Reduces Reinstatement Cost
Louisiana allows drivers to apply for a restricted license during the suspension period if losing driving privileges prevents them from earning a livelihood or obtaining medical treatment. A restricted license lets you drive only on streets and waterways needed for work or medical care, and only during the times you are working or receiving treatment.
To obtain a restricted license, you apply to the OMV after receiving your suspension notice. If the OMV denies your application, you may file a petition in the district court of your parish of residence. The petition must allege that loss of driving privileges deprives you of necessities of life, prevents you from earning a livelihood, or prevents you from obtaining medical treatment. If your suspension was DWI-based, you must install an ignition interlock device and file SR-22 insurance before the court will grant a restricted license.
A restricted license does not eliminate the compliance costs of reinstatement. It shifts the timeline: you pay for SR-22 filing and ignition interlock installation earlier, during the suspension period, rather than waiting until the suspension ends.
Compare Carriers That File SR-22 in Louisiana
Not every carrier writes SR-22 policies in Louisiana. Nineteen carriers in the state write SR-22 filings, including Geico, Progressive, State Farm, Farmers, and The General. Each carrier charges its own SR-22 filing fee and sets its own premium for drivers who need SR-22 coverage. The filing fee is a one-time charge, but the premium increase lasts for the entire three-year filing period.
Compare quotes from multiple carriers before you choose. A carrier with a lower filing fee may charge a higher premium, and a carrier with a higher filing fee may offer a lower base rate. The total cost over three years depends on both the filing fee and the premium. Request quotes from at least three carriers that write SR-22 in Louisiana, and ask each carrier to break out the filing fee separately from the premium so you can compare the full cost.
When you select a carrier, verify that the carrier will file the SR-22 electronically with the Louisiana OMV. Electronic filing is faster and reduces the risk of processing delays. Once the carrier files the SR-22, the OMV receives the certificate within one to three business days. You can then proceed with the rest of the reinstatement process.