Like every state, motor vehicle laws in Louisiana make it obligatory for every driver to have a certain level of insurance coverage on their vehicle. Many drivers though may fall into a situation where they are either unable to pay their insurance or just experience a laps in coverage which often goes unnoticed by the vehicle owner.
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It usually isn’t missed by the OMV, though. The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles has implemented a solution for vehicle owners who are fined for insurance issues but may not be able to pay in full.
Regardless of the reason for failure to be properly insured, the consequences vehicle owners face includes but are not limited to revoked licenses, suspension of registration, and even seizing of bank accounts and federal tax refunds. The insurance flags and associated fines are as follows:
- No insurance for 30 days or less – $125.00
- No insurance for 31 to 90 days – $275.00
- No insurance for 91 days or more – $525.00
State lawmakers drafted the bill that offered installment payment plans to provide relief to the thousands of Louisiana drivers who, combined, owe millions of dollars in the unpaid fines from lapsed insurance coverage. This installment agreement offers the eligible drivers the ability to pay off the debts owed to the OMV over time while allowing them to regain their driving privileges.
Louisiana DMV Payment Plans
While it is possible to pay an insurance fine in full by phone, by mail, or in person, setting up an installment plan can only be done at certain OMV offices. Those includes offices in Alexandria, Lake Charles, Leesville, Baton Rouge, Bossier City, Harvey, Lafayette, Livingston, Monroe, New Orleans – Veterans Hwy, Shreveport, Slidell, and Thibodaux. For more information on locations of reinstatement offices, click here.
Eligibility for Installment Plans
There are certain eligibility requirements for individuals looking to participate in an OMV installment agreement. Some of the requirements are:
- You must have a valid, Louisiana issued driver’s license: Class A, B, C, D or E
- You must have a valid debit or credit card to sign up with automatic draft
- You have met other requirements including proving that you have valid insurance
- You cannot be currently entered into an installment agreement for a previous infraction
- You must be able to make the first installment payment at the time you sign the agreement
After you have entered this installment agreement, you must pay the fixed and monthly equal payments. For example, if you owe a fine of $250, it must be paid within 6 months. Higher fine amounts have different, pre-determined payment schedules ranging from 12 to 60 months. Debts of $5000 or more are eligible for the 60 month installment plan. However, your circumstance may affect the number of installment plans as well as your monthly installment payment. Whichever plan you are entered in and agree to, monthly processing fees will be charged on either the credit or bank card payment method. Payment processing fees are as follows:
- Drafts from credit, debit, or prepaid cards – a 2.5% fee of the total monthly payment plus a $3.00 transaction fee will be assessed.
- Bank account drafts – a $1.00 fee plus and additional $3.00 transaction fee will be applied to each payment.
Avoiding Insurance Flags and Fines
In order to avoid being assessed a fine for an insurance violation, here are some important things to remember in different situations. If you are purposely canceling your insurance perhaps because you are selling the vehicle, it was totaled in a crash, or your just do not plan to use it for an extended period, make sure to either surrender the plate or complete a Statement of Non-Use form if you want to keep the plate.
83 comments
I am new to the state and the registration of my vehicle was very expensive. Are there any installment plans for this available?
I have a question. I never got a drivers license. But had received tickets that I’ve paid off. What would I have to do to actually get a license.? They gave me a proxy license but just curious if I need to have anything in particular to be put on the payment plan?
You’ll want to review the license application requirements described on this page and contact the OMV at (225) 925-6146 to review your driving record. If any payment plans are established, they can typically be done over the phone or when you make your appointment to apply for your license.
Can I pay the flag on my license online?
It may be possible to pay the flag online depending on the issuer. You can do an online inquiry first on this LA OMV page. Once you have information on the flags, you can search for that agencies/companies website to see what online payment options they offer. However, any flag fees due directly to the OMV must be paid by phone or in person. Best of luck.
We surrendered our plate because we sold our car and my husband’s license still has NI on it.
To change your driver’s license address, you must visit your local OMV office.
Can I get a Texas license and still pay on my payment plan? I’m trying to move in the next few months.
Thanks,
Did you ever receive an answer I am needing to know the same?
At the moment we don’t operate in LA, sorry for the inconvenience.
Why is it a spouse can not set up an installment plan in louisiana especially if he/she shares a bank account together
What if you don’t have any insurance, on a vehicle, are their alternatives to make payments and acquire your license any other way?
If you don’t have auto insurance on your vehicle you can’t register it meaning you can’t drive it. The title is only for ownership proof, not driving.
I want to know that can I pay for my flag on my license in the office would it’s get clear and can I get my license back
Hi Thoa,
Sadly, eTags doesn’t provide driver’s license services just yet so I can’t advise you for sure. Here is some information about suspended licenses in Louisiana that I found online. I hope it helps
Im trying to find out how to get my dl reinstated. Can someone please help me. I was on a payment plan and they said that their computer said i need to pay 60 to get it done where do i pay that at
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for your question! Unfortunately, eTags doesn’t provide driver’s license services right now. If I could guess, I’d say go straight to Louisiana DMV to sort it out. Here’s a link with some locations that might be able to help!
My license is suspended and I have all my paperwork to clear it. I was also due to renew my license Oct 30 2022. I have been calling the phone number for 2 weeks . This is ridiculous. I’m trying to clear up the issue and can’t get any help…
Hello there!
I’m so sorry to hear of all the trouble you’re having in clearing up your license issues. Unfortunately, eTags isn’t able to help with license services at this time. Try checking out this website for offices you might be able to visit in person. I hope this helps!
How many attempts do they make to take your installment payment for the tenth of the month
Hi there! This is a question for Affirm. Reach out to customer support and confirm what the details on their process regarding how many attempts they make to draw payment. Then follow up with your bank to see if they have any measures in place to avoid overdrafts or bank fees. I hope this helps!
I’ve been trying to get in contact with dmv or omv in Baton Rouge for ten days Ana constantly get put on hold then loose call!
Try this number (225) 389-5206. Your best bet may be to take a ride over and ask in person if you’re able. Good luck!
I’m on disability I have flags on my licenses. My wife is on disability too.I need my license so can drive to work we need the money disability just isn’t enough money. So could I please set up a payment plan
At the moment eTags doesn’t operate in Louisiana, contact your local DMV for assistance.
Can u please send me a link so I can pay my fag I been trying to call da dvm for 4 Weeks now
Hello there, eTags doesn’t operate in Louisiana yet.
I like to set up payments on my flag
Hey there, we don’t operate in Louisiana yet. Perhaps you can contact your local DMV directly.
I want to know can I pay installments and get new tags and plates for my 2013 dodge avenger on the phone or at the DMV in jena la how much would it be I have a debit card. And how much installments fees monthly and how much down payment 3183164170
Hello there, we don’t operate in Louisiana. Check out the Maryland DMV website for more info.
How do I get my flag removed. My old car got repossessed with insurance. I purchased a new car in 2016 with insurance and has been paying ever since in 2016. I always had insurance on my car. What must I do to resolve this issue? I don’t know how much I owe. I can’t get a break tag and my registration needs to be renewed .
You have to remedy the situation. Contact your local DMV to find out how much you owe, it’s possible that an error was made if you switched insurance companies.
My husband has a no insurance flag on his Louisiana license. All he wants to do is pay it off so he can get a tag renewal but doesn’t want to renew his license. If he has an unpaid ticket can he do that?
eTags doesn’t operate in Louisiana, it’s best to contact your local DMV on how to do that. https://www.expresslane.org/
My license was flagged recently for laps of insurance and block my registration but I canceled my car insurance back in July and then automatically turned in my tag right after that the lady at the tag agency forgot to turn my tag into the DMV so I reinstated my car insurance in November and got a new tag why was my license flagged is it default of the tag agency
eTags doesn’t operate in Louisiana, please direct your question to the Lousiana DMV https://www.expresslane.org/
I lost my license and went to get another they say I had a flag. If I enter into an installment agreement will they let me get a duplicate of it.
Hey there, eTags is a private title transfer and registration company. We are not the DMV and we don’t operate in Louisiana. Perhaps contact your local dmv office to get help with your driver’s license.
Get an LA wallet , it has all your DL info . No duplicate needed
If you’re not already signed into LA Wallet whenever you lose your driver’s license, unless you have a copy of your license to get the audit number off of it, you cannot make an account. The audit number changes with each license renewal so looking at an expired license to get the audit number won’t work.
Hi my name is Lucille. I need to clear my license before 2021. I have bill of4000$ dollars that I can not afford on my income . Please help
eTags doesn’t handle driver licenses, we do registration and titles online. Try contacting your local dmv.
I sent a payment to ODR to clear a suspension on my Louisiana license that was holding up renewal of my Texas license. How long does it take to get the suspension lifted after my payment has been cleared by the ODR? My payment was received by ODR approximately 2 weeks ago.
eTags offers title and registration services, not driver’s licenses or dealing with the ODR. Sorry to hear about your frustrations.
Are there any relief for payment installment since the co-vid 19 onset, since there is a stay home order..
You would have to contact your local louisiana dmv to find out.
what happens when one of the flags sent to ODR is incorrect?
we don’t operate in Louisiana, but this website may help http://revenue.louisiana.gov/FAQ/QuestionsAndAnswers/1
I recently purchased a new vehicle and the dealer paid for all registration fees. I currently have a flag. Will that prevent omv from sending me the licences plate and registration for that new car? I will go to take care of the flag though within the next 2 weeks.
Hey there, etags doesn’t operate in Louisiana but this website may be able to help https://www.autotitlela.com/vehicle-registration/
or https://www.expresslane.org/Pages/SearchResults.aspx?q=flag
I paid all my flags recently but the dmv just took another payment off my debit card and now they owe 202.34 cents but I need my 60.32 back on my card they just took. Now the remaining 142.02 was on cash. Why wasn’t I taken off that payment plan when I got my reinstatement. Plus will they be able to give me back my 60.32 on my card in person? They quick to take money that don’t suppose to be taken.
Hey there, this is a very specific scenario. We suggest you talk directly to the DMV.
My Son Car Was Used Without His Permission He Been In Jail Since April Of Last Year I Just Located His Car On Thanksgiving Eve The Person Who Had His Car Allow The Insurance To Lapse And He Volunteered The License Plate To DMV My Son Gave Me Power Of Attorney To His Car How Do I Go By Putting Insurance And Getting Another License Plate His Plate Was Turned In On 11/18/18 Number 826 BEL
ETags doesn’t operate in Louisiana so the rules may be different. But in FL you would have to get insurance first then go your local DMV to register the vehicle. it’s probably best for you to reach out to Louisana DMV for specifics.
My question is this- I have multiple flags for insurance lapse in Louisiana. I see the cap is around $850- but is that per flag or is the $850 plus fees the overall cap?a
eTags doesn’t operate in Louisiana but, according to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles..
91 or more days – $525.00 A reinstatement cap of $850.00 will apply to those that choose to clear multiple insurance cancellations on the same day. In addition to the $850.00 cap a $25.00 administrative fee will be charged for each cancellation record. If you are 65 years of age or older, the cap is $250.00. The cap only applies to cancellations that have not been remitted to the Office of Debt Recovery.
It seems like like they state MULTIPLE INSURANCE CANCELLATIONS
I have flags on my lisence, I moved to Florida. can I still get a lisence in Florida with flags on my lisence in Louisiana?
Yes you can still get a driver’s license in FL, with flags in Louisiana.
Last year I became terminally ill and forgot to pay the installation. It says I defaulted in 2015 and I owe 1600 in flags. I’ve kept insurance ever since then but I don’t have the full amount to pay and being in default on my agreement before and I’m disabled and on ss what do I Do? I need to get tags for my vehicle. Is there anyone that can help me Out? Please? Thanks
Call the Louisiana DMV and try to ask for a payment plan.
Do they reissue your license once you’ve entered a payment plan
Hey there, you may be able to find the info you need on these 2 dmv pages, plus the details about agreement here:
https://www.expresslane.org/drivers/installment-payment-plan-agreements/
https://www.expresslane.org/drivers/driver-reinstatement/suspensions/
They offer a 2nd attempt. You will have to put down 25% of what you owe
If the max fee is 850$ for insurance cancelation how can office of debt recovery also charge fees for the same insurance infraction. This is a double charge. Plea dd’s e explain.
You’d have to talk to the insurance company or debt recovery agency for details.
If I have unpaid traffic tickets only can I get on installment plan
Hello Sedrick. You’ll need to contact your local Louisiana DMV agency to verify whether you qualify for their installment plan.
If I pay off early is inrerest taken off
Hello Molly. As for installment plans, you’ll need to discuss early payments and interest reductions with your local OMV agency.
When I get to the office and get installment payment plan for suspended chaffers license, do I get my chaffers license back the same day and time that plan is signed and completed before I leave?
Hello Leon. Every state handles those licenses differently. You are strongly advised to contact your local DMV agency for more information about such procedure.
if I was in one installment already and it defaulted, would I be able to do another installment plan?
Hello Brittany. You will need to discuss that with your local DMV agency.
I was in my 2nd or 3rd. installment plan but I am disabled and couldn’t pay the installment fee and defaulted. This is so hard trying to pay this bill, I need you renew my drivers license.
I paid installment but my insurance payment did not go thru online. Will my agreement void out
Hello Jan. You will need to contact your auto insurance agent to verify the transaction.
How much would my payment plan be I owe 2,000 from flags n need to renew license
Hello Theresa. You will need to contact your local DMV agency for more information about their plans. Good luck.
If the first attempt is made and no funds are on the card, how long do I have to add the funds before the second attempt is made?
Hello Andrew. That is a service-specific question that you will need to ask a LA DMV clerk over the phone or in person. Good luck.
My bank card code on the back was change how do I get that information to you before the 10th day of the month so DMV could draft my account
Hello Almore. You need to contact the DMV in your state to resolve this issue.