Baton Rouge, LA – You’ve heard of hurricanes, floods, and wildfires triggering states of emergency—but in Louisiana, the newest disaster is… outdated software.
Governor Jeff Landry has declared a state of emergency for the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) because its computer system is so old, it might as well run on dial-up. The system, first developed when bell-bottoms were in style, is now causing massive service disruptions, leaving residents unable to renew driver’s licenses, register vehicles, or complete basic transactions.
According to the executive order signed on March 20, 2025, the OMV’s 50-year-old mainframe—written in a programming language older than color TV—has been crashing under the weight of modern demands. The result? Long lines, frustrated residents, and an agency that’s basically running on digital duct tape.
To keep things from getting worse, the emergency order temporarily suspends late fees for expired licenses while the state scrambles for a fix. The order remains in effect until April 19, unless someone miraculously finds a floppy disk that makes everything work again.
Governor Landry called the situation “unacceptable” and promised to overhaul the system. In the meantime, Louisiana drivers are encouraged to stay patient, and maybe send some prayers (or IT support) to the OMV.
