In Louisiana, vehicle registration is mandated by the Louisiana Revised Statutes ( LA RS) 47:501. It stipulates that all vehicles operating on public roads must be appropriately registered with the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety (LA DPS).
Compliance with LA RS 47:501 is crucial for several reasons. It provides legal proof of ownership, which is essential in case of theft or disputes. Additionally, it helps the state track and collect road usage taxes and fees, which is vital for maintaining and improving public infrastructure.
Registered vehicles are also easier to identify in accidents or violations, aiding law enforcement in maintaining public safety. Failure to comply with this law can result in fines, legal issues, and vehicle impoundment.
How To Register a Car in Louisiana?
A vehicle purchased from a private seller, dealer, or manufacturer must be registered with the OMV within 40 days of the purchase date. The required documents for registration are as follows:
- A completed Vehicle Application or Form DPSMV 1799
- Proof of purchase, such as an invoice or bill of sale
- A current photo identification or a driver's license
- Ownership documents such as the manufacturer's statement of origin for a new car or title certificate and the vehicle's current registration for a used car
- Proof of car insurance
- Loan documents if the vehicle was financed (acceptable documents include a UCC-1 Financing Statement, a security agreement, or a chattel mortgage)
- A statement regarding the odometer reading for vehicles younger than ten years old (this can either be part of the vehicle's title or presented as a separate statement)
- Applicable fees and taxes
After gathering all necessary documents and payment, one should mail the application to the address on the form or take it in person to the nearest Louisiana OMV location.
Mandatory Insurance for Vehicle Registration
In Louisiana, vehicle registration is closely tied to mandatory insurance coverage. State laws require all vehicle owners to always maintain liability insurance. Before registering a vehicle, owners must show proof of liability insurance that meets the state's minimum requirements, which include limits of 15/30/25.
These limits entail coverage of $15,000 for bodily injury to a single person, $30,000 for bodily injury to multiple persons in a single accident, and $25,000 for property damage to someone else's property or vehicle.
Failure to maintain the required liability insurance can result in serious consequences. Uninsured drivers may face fines ranging from $500 to $1,000, suspension of their driver's license and vehicle registration, or even impounding their vehicle.
Additionally, if an uninsured driver is involved in an accident, they may be prohibited from recovering the first $25,000 in property damages and the first $15,000 in personal injury damages, regardless of who caused the accident.
Vehicle Registration for New Residents
New residents in Louisiana must register their out-of-state vehicles with the Louisiana OMV within 30 days of moving. The vehicle registration process for new residents involves a few additional steps compared to those already residing in the state.
In addition to the standard requirements, such as completing Form DPSMV 1799, providing a driver's license or photo identification, current title and registration, proof of car insurance, and applicable fees and taxes, new residents must also present proof of sales tax payment.
Louisiana requires a use tax for all registered vehicles, but new residents may be eligible for a credit if sales tax was already paid in their previous state. They need to have documentation of this sales tax payment ready during the registration process.
Furthermore, the vehicle must pass a safety inspection before it can be registered in Louisiana. In certain parishes, including Ascension, Iberville, East Baton Rouge, Livingston, and West Baton Rouge, a smog check is also mandated as part of the inspection to ensure emissions compliance.
Currently, the yearly safety and emissions inspection involves checking the vehicle's safety gear, conducting a gas cap integrity test, and visually examining the emissions system to detect any tampering.
New residents can submit their registration documents by mail to the address on the form or in person at a local Louisiana OMV office.
Vehicle Registration for Military Members
Louisiana offers certain exemptions from vehicle registration for active-duty military personnel and their spouses. The state laws recognize the unique circumstances military members face and aim to facilitate the registration of their vehicles.
If an active duty military member or their spouse wishes to operate a vehicle in Louisiana, they can do so without securing a Louisiana registration, provided they meet specific requirements. These include:
- Displaying a valid license plate issued by their home state
- Having a current vehicle registration and license plate in their name or their spouse's name
- Maintaining the required insurance coverage
- Operating a non-commercial vehicle
Additionally, active duty military personnel entering Louisiana can title and register their vehicles without paying any use taxes, either state or parish, if they can provide proof of paying sales tax when the car was purchased in another state. This provision applies regardless of whether Louisiana has a reciprocal agreement with the other state.
Moreover, military members and their spouses have a 90-day grace period following separation from active duty to operate their out-of-state registered vehicle in Louisiana without securing a Louisiana registration or paying sales or use tax. This grace period allows them to transition smoothly to civilian life while maintaining their current vehicle registration.
Vehicle Registration for Non-Resident Students
Non-resident full-time college or university students can operate a vehicle in Louisiana without securing a Louisiana registration, provided they meet certain requirements.
Firstly, the license plate displayed on the vehicle must be a valid plate issued by the foreign jurisdiction where the car is registered. Secondly, the vehicle registration and license plate must be current and issued to the student or their parent/legal guardian for insurance purposes.
Additionally, the owner or driver must have a valid form of financial responsibility, such as car insurance.
This exemption applies to all vehicles except for commercial vehicles used for business purposes where compensation is received. It also does not apply to leased vehicles.
Suppose a non-resident student's vehicle registration and license plate expire while they are studying in Louisiana. In that case, they must secure a Louisiana registration and pay the vehicle's applicable sales or use taxes.
It is important to note that this exemption is only valid for non-resident full-time students attending college or university in Louisiana. Resident students must register their vehicles in Louisiana and pay the required fees and taxes.
Louisiana License Plates
When a vehicle is registered in Louisiana, the OMV issues a standard license plate. However, vehicle owners can apply for a specialty license plate if they prefer.
Louisiana offers various specialty plates representing colleges, military affiliations, multiple causes, and organizations. Additionally, vehicle owners can personalize their license plates with custom letter and number combinations.
Specialty plates often come with specific eligibility requirements or additional fees, which vary depending on the plate type. For instance, some plates may require proof of membership in a particular organization or evidence of military service.
Meanwhile, personalized plates allow drivers to create a unique identifier for their vehicle, subject to approval by the Louisiana OMV to ensure appropriateness and availability.
How To Obtain Vanity License Plates in Louisiana?
To obtain vanity or personalized license plates in Louisiana, visit the Louisiana Special Plates web page to check the available plate options. Then, use the Personalized Plate Inquiry tool to see if the desired plate is available. Make sure to follow the simple four-step process there.
Plates are issued on a first-come, first-served basis, and selections will not be held without the necessary paperwork being submitted. The individual should note that the availability of a plate may change until they receive official confirmation from the OMV, as someone else may have requested it before submitting their request.
Once the personalized plate selection is accepted, it will be held for two weeks to allow the paperwork to be received. After the application has been submitted, a committee will review the request, and the individual will be notified of the decision.
Personalized plates can include letters (A to Z), numbers (0 to 9), spaces, periods, and hyphens. Only six letters and/or numbers are allowed for motorcycle or handicap personalized plates, while others can have up to seven characters.
The initial cost for a personalized plate is $25 per year, in addition to the regular registration fee. There is also a one-time $3.50 administrative fee and an $8 handling fee. Credit will be given for the unused plate portion shown on the individual's current registration certificate.
How Much Does Vehicle Registration Cost in Louisiana?
Registering a vehicle in Louisiana comes with various fees that depend on the vehicle's value and the location where it is being registered. When registering a car for the first time, the following fees apply:
- Title Fee: $68.50
- Sales and Use Tax: 4% to 9.5% of the vehicle's assessed value
- Local or Municipal Taxes (may be required in certain parishes or cities)
- Handling Fee: A maximum of $8 (varies by parish)
- License Plate Fee: $20 to $82 (varies depending on the vehicle's assessed value)
- Public License Tag Agents Fee: $18 (maximum fee if the title is not obtained through the OMV)
- Lien Recording Fee (if applicable): $10 to $15
Note that active-duty military personnel and individuals eligible for a credit for taxes paid to another state are exempt from paying sales and use taxes when registering their vehicles in Louisiana.
The total registration cost can vary significantly depending on the vehicle's value and the location where it is being registered. For the most accurate and up-to-date fee information, checking with the local OMV is recommended.
Fees and taxes are payable in person by cash, debit/credit card, e-check, or money order. If paying by mail, payment can be made via check or money order.
How To Renew Vehicle Registration in Louisiana?
Renewing a vehicle registration in Louisiana can be done quickly and easily online. First, the individual must visit the Louisiana OMV website and navigate to the "Vehicle Registration Renewal" section.
They then have two options to begin the process - either selecting the "Renewal Identification Number" if they received a Vehicle Registration Renewal notice by mail (which is the easiest method) or selecting "Vehicle Registration" to enter information from their current vehicle registration.
After entering the necessary information, the individual must verify the address on file. Next, they will be prompted to authorize payment of the renewal fee using a valid credit card backed by Discover, MasterCard, Visa, or American Express. The renewal process includes a service charge for electronic commerce per LA RS 49:316.1.
Finally, the individual can view and print their receipt, confirming the successful renewal of their vehicle registration. However, transactions may not appear until the next business day, so attempting to renew multiple times should be avoided.
Additionally, it is worth emphasizing that Louisiana law requires all registered vehicles up for renewal to have the necessary liability insurance limits or alternative security. Failure to comply can result in civil and criminal penalties.
How To Check if a Vehicle Is Currently Registered in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, individuals who want to check if a vehicle is currently registered do not have the option to use an online tool or service provided by the Louisiana OMV website. However, there is an alternative method to verify a vehicle's registration status.
To check the current vehicle registration in Louisiana, individuals can contact the Louisiana OMV directly or visit a local OMV office. For a fee, individuals can request a record or document that will provide the necessary information to verify if a vehicle is currently registered.
Note that the specific requirements, information needed, and the applicable fees may vary. When contacting the OMV or visiting a local office, it is advisable to have the vehicle identification number (VIN) or the license plate number available. These details will assist the OMV in locating and providing the accurate registration information for the vehicle in question.