Louisiana Residents: The Deadline To Get A REAL ID Is Approaching

Get REAL ID Ready: Louisiana OMV Announces Special Saturday Openings

With the May 7, 2025, REAL ID enforcement deadline fast approaching, the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) is making it easier for residents to get compliant. Select OMV field offices will open on three Saturdays this spring to assist Louisianans with obtaining their REAL ID.

Why You Need a REAL ID

Starting May 7, 2025, Louisiana residents will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card to:
✅ Board domestic flights without a passport
✅ Enter certain federal buildings
✅ Access military bases and other secure federal facilities

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If your current Louisiana driver’s license or state ID is NOT REAL ID-compliant, you must present a valid passport or another federally accepted form of identification for air travel and federal access.

How to Get a REAL ID in Louisiana

To obtain a REAL ID, you must visit a Louisiana OMV field office or a Public Tag Agent location in person with the required documents. Use LOUIE, the Louisiana OMV’s REAL ID virtual expert, to determine which documents you need: www.expresslane.org/REALID.

A Louisiana REAL ID features a gold star inside a circle in the upper-right corner. If your ID does not have this symbol, it will not be accepted by TSA at airport security checkpoints.

Saturday REAL ID Appointment Days

To help residents meet the compliance deadline, the OMV will open select offices on the following Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.:
📍 March 15
📍 April 12
📍 May 3

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are strongly encouraged. Schedule yours here: www.expresslane.org/appointments. The following locations will participate:

Alexandria
Baton Rouge
Houma
Lafayette
Lake Charles
Livingston
New Orleans (Veterans Blvd.)
Monroe
Shreveport
Westbank - Oakwood Center

🔹 Already have a valid Louisiana driver’s license? You can upgrade to a REAL ID-compliant version by applying for a duplicate.
🔹 Renewing soon? Consider upgrading to a REAL ID during your renewal process.