Driver’s license cost increases

A $15 increase took effect Monday, March 8 for most Louisiana drivers seeking a new or renewed license, and lawmakers questioned the jump in price, which has nearly doubled.

The new cost for a new or renewed basic license is now $36.50 for four years, compared to $21.50. Licenses for commercial drivers and drivers-for-hire range in price above that.

Col. Mike Edmonson, head of the Dept. of Public Safety, noted the cost increase is to cover a federal mandate that requires a more extensive state identification program to protect against identity theft and fraud.

“This is not a cost associated with providing a driver’s license. A fee is supposed to cover the cost of a service. This is the cost of running your department, which is not a fee,” stated State Sen. Lydia Jackson during a budget hearing of the Senate Finance Committee.

Sen. Joe McPherson, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, announced he will call a special committee meeting to discuss the license increase.

McPherson believes that it is important that the state gets a better understanding about the need to raise fees, especially with such short notice given to Louisiana citizens.

According to Edmonson, the Department of Motor Vehicles Office has been absorbing the required cost increases for years, instead of passing them on to drivers. He says drivers will benefit from this increase with improved security for their licenses that will protect the license holder from fraud and identity theft.

The increase also boosted the cost of chauffeur’s licenses too, making them available at $51.50. This is up from the previous fee of $36.50.

Some licenses cost as much as $3 more than the state price, because local governments are allowed in some instances to charge their own fee.