by Armando Martinez
License Plate Transfer Process in Louisiana
When selling a car in Louisiana, the seller must remove their license plates before handing the vehicle over to the buyer. If you do not do so, you may be liable for any violations after the buyer has taken possession of the vehicle. After the sale is complete, you can officially cancel your license plate with the Louisiana OMV at any Office of Motor Vehicle location, through the mail, or canceled through our online service. You can either destroy your plates, or if you prefer, return them to your local OMV office, or mail them to the following address: Office of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 64886, Baton Rouge, LA 70896. The buyer has 40 days to transfer ownership and obtain new license plates. The seller must provide the buyer with a notarized signed and dated title, a Bill of Sale, and a vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection.
For private car sales, Louisiana requires a document called a Notice of Transfer of Vehicle (Form DPSMV 1697) to be filled out and filed with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV). This document requires information on the vehicle being sold including the VIN, year, make, model, and license number. It also requires information on the seller including your name, address, and driver’s license number. Then, you need to check a box stating it was sold and fill out the name and address of the buyer, the sales price, the date of the sale, and finally a signature from the seller. You can either fill out this form and mail it to the address at the top of that form or you can submit a notice of vehicle transfer online.
The buyer must then complete the necessary paperwork which must be mailed or delivered to the OMV Headquarters or may be processed in person at an OMV office or at a Public Tag Agent location to transfer the title and obtain new license plates. They'll need to provide the following documentation:
- A notarized, signed and dated title
- A Bill of Sale
- A valid form of identification
- A current odometer reading filled in on the title or a Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form DPSMV 1606)
- Proof of insurance
- A completed VIN inspection
-A completed Vehicle Application Form (DPSMV 1799)
License Plate Fees in Louisiana
The fees for license plates in Louisiana vary based on several factors, including the selling price, type of vehicle, weight of the vehicle, the type of plate requested, the location, and the registration period. Some of the fees you may need to pay include:
- Title fee: $18
- Transfer fee: $68
- Registration fee: varies based on vehicle type and location
- Sales Use tax: calculated as a percentage of the purchase price and varies depending upon the Parish where the vehicle is registered. Click here to view the Parish Tax Table.
Additionally, there may be additional fees for new license plates and registration stickers.
A full list of potential fees is available at https://www.expresslane.org/vehicles/vehicle-registration-title-plate-fees/.
Conclusion
Selling your car in a private party sale in Louisiana can be a smooth process if you know how to transfer the license plates properly. Remember to provide the necessary documentation, including a signed and dated title, a Bill of Sale, and a VIN inspection. Expect to pay title fees, transfer fees, registration fees, sales tax, and additional fees for new license plates. Additional details about titling and registering a used vehicle in Louisiana can be found at https://www.expresslane.org/vehicles/title-and-registration/used-title-registration/ . By following these steps, you'll be able to navigate the license plate transfer process with ease and have a successful private party car sale in Louisiana. Best of luck!
This article was written by Armando Martinez. Armando Martinez is among the nation’s experts on automotive titling, registration, DMV services and document operations. With nearly two decades of experience across a broad range of financial services functions and some of the largest names in auto, from Wells Fargo to Uber, Armando combines vision and ingenuity with a wealth of information so auto shoppers and sellers can learn from his experience.
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