§ 32:413 — Loss or destruction of licenses; duplicate driver's license

§413. Loss or destruction of licenses; duplicate driver's license
A. If any driver's license shall be lost or destroyed, the person to whom it was issued
may apply for a duplicate driver's license at a motor vehicle office, an authorized agent of the
office of motor vehicles, or through the motor vehicle website online application. Any
application submitted pursuant to this Section shall include a statement executed by the
applicant attesting to the facts regarding the lost or destroyed driver's license.
B. For each duplicate driver's license so issued a five dollar charge shall be collected,
except no fee shall be charged to a child who is in foster care, as defined in Children's Code
Article 603. However, if the original license was stolen as evidenced by a police report, the
charge provided for in this Subsection and the handling charge provided for in R.S. 32:412.1
shall not be collected.
C. If any driver's license which was issued to a Louisiana domiciliary or resident who
is temporarily out of state, or who is a domiciliary or resident who is an active member of
the armed forces, or who is a domiciliary resident dependent of a member of the active armed
forces, in lieu thereof has been lost or destroyed, the person who was issued the driver's
license, or the person who has power of attorney for the person to whom the driver's license
was issued, may submit satisfactory proof to the office of motor vehicles of the loss or
destruction and may apply for a duplicate driver's license.
D.(1) The holder of a valid driver's license, regardless of class, may apply for a
duplicate driver's license by mail or electronic commerce, except as follows:
(a) No duplicate driver's license by mail or electronic commerce shall be granted if
a previous duplicate license was issued prior to the license expiration.
(b) No duplicate driver's license by mail or electronic commerce shall be granted to
an alien student or nonresident alien.
(2) The department may establish rules and regulations to grant or deny a duplicate
driver's license by mail in cases where a Louisiana resident is temporarily domiciled out of
the state or out of the country, or temporarily residing, employed, or attending school in a
foreign state or country, even if the resident does not meet the qualification criteria in this
Section.
(3) The application for a duplicate driver's license by mail or electronic commerce
shall include the following:
(a) A statement from the applicant that he has not experienced any loss of
consciousness other than normal sleep and has no current physical or mental condition which
would impair his ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.
(b) A statement from the applicant indicating that all motor vehicles owned by the
applicant are covered by liability insurance or security and coverage will be maintained until
such time as a vehicle is no longer used on the highways of this state, or until a vehicle is
transferred to another person or entity.
(c) A sworn affidavit by a physician certifying that the person possesses all cognitive
functions reasonably necessary to be a prudent driver if the person seeking the duplicate
driver's license is seventy years of age or older.
(4) Upon receipt of the required statements by the department and upon the issuance
of a duplicate driver's license, the state, the department, or any department employee shall
not be liable for any property damages, injuries, or deaths that may arise from an applicant's
involvement in an accident when the accident may be attributed to the applicant's medical
condition that may have existed which rendered him incapable of operating a motor vehicle
safely.
(5) When a duplicate driver's license is issued by mail or electronic commerce, the
department shall issue a duplicate driver's license with the same expiration date as the
previously issued driver's license.
(6) The department shall promulgate rules and regulations as are necessary to
implement the provisions of this Section.
(7) For purposes of this Section a valid driver's license does not include:
(a) A suspended, disqualified, expired, or canceled license, regardless of class.
(b) A commercial driver's license for a holder that does not meet all requirements for
licensure under federal law, state law, or both.
(c) A hardship driver's license.
(d) Any driver's license for which there is a block on any further issuance of any
kind, whether or not the license is suspended or disqualified.
(8) Any online transaction shall be assessed the fee authorized and approved in R.S.
49:316.1.
E. Any duplicate driver's license issued pursuant to this Section shall not exhibit a
duplicate designation regardless of its class.
F. An applicant seeking to update a driver's license to become REAL ID compliant
prior to the renewal eligibility of the driver's license shall be exempt from the fee imposed
under this Section for the issuance of a duplicate license. The applicant shall be required to
pay the handling fee as set forth in R.S. 32:412.1(B)(1)(c). The provisions of this Subsection
shall terminate June 30, 2026.

Legislative History

Amended by Acts 1958, No. 68, §1; Acts 1982, No. 334, §1; Acts 1984, No. 629, §1; Acts 1989, No. 293, §1, eff. June 27, 1989; Acts 1993, No. 464, §1; Acts 2004, No. 314, §1; Acts 2009, No. 349, §1, eff. July 1, 2009; Acts 2021, No. 239, §1; Acts 2022, No. 329, §1; Acts 2025, No. 302, §1.