Louisiana Title Transfer Guide (2026)
| Titling agency | Louisiana DMV ↗ |
| Transfer deadline | 40 days from sale |
| Sales / use tax | 4.45% · Sales tax applies; parish taxes vary significantly |
| Bill of sale notary | Required |
| VIN inspection (out-of-state) | Required · LA requires a VIN inspection at the Office of Motor Vehicles before titling out-of-state vehicles. |
| Lien release form | DPSMV 1863 |
Louisiana title transfer in 8 steps
- 1Gather documents — original title (or duplicate if lost), valid government ID, current registration, lien release (DPSMV 1863) if applicable, and odometer disclosure for vehicles under 20 years old.
- 2Complete the bill of sale — record buyer + seller full legal names and addresses, vehicle VIN, year, make, model, odometer reading, sale price, and sale date. Sign before a notary public.
- 3Sign the title — seller endorses the title assignment section on the back, fills in buyer info, odometer reading, and sale date. Louisiana requires odometer disclosure for vehicles under 15 years old.
- 4Complete VIN inspection — Louisiana requires VIN inspection for out-of-state vehicles. Schedule with Louisiana DMV or a licensed inspector. LA requires a VIN inspection at the Office of Motor Vehicles before titling out-of-state vehicles.
- 5Buyer files at Louisiana DMV — within 40 days of the sale, the buyer brings the signed title, bill of sale, and ID to Louisiana DMV.
- 6Pay tax and fees — 4.45% sales/use tax on the sale price plus any local surtax, plus the title fee ($15-$50).
- 7Receive new title — Louisiana DMV issues a new title in the buyer's name (typically by mail within 2-4 weeks).
- 8Seller files release of liability — to remove future ticket/toll responsibility from the seller's record, file a notice of transfer with Louisiana DMV the same day as the sale.
Louisiana lien release procedure
- Obtain Form DPSMV 1863 from the Louisiana OMV or the lienholder.
- Lienholder completes and signs DPSMV 1863 releasing the lien.
- Submit DPSMV 1863 with the existing title and title application at a Louisiana OMV office.
- Pay the title fee and receive a clean Louisiana title.
Inherited vehicle title transfer
Louisiana estate transfers require either a small-estate affidavit (for estates below the state threshold, typically $50,000-$150,000) or letters of administration from probate court. The successor presents probate paperwork plus the original title to Louisiana DMV.
Need a Louisiana bill of sale to complete the transfer?
Compliant with Louisiana DMV requirements. From $9 — instant DMV-ready PDF, no signup.
Create Louisiana Bill of Sale →Frequently Asked Questions — Louisiana
How long do I have to transfer a car title in Louisiana?▾
Louisiana requires the buyer to file the title transfer within 40 days of the sale date. Missing the deadline triggers late penalties (typically $25-$50) and accrued use tax. Louisiana is unique: a bill of sale for a motor vehicle must be signed before a notary public and two witnesses to be legally valid. This is required under Louisiana Civil Code art. 1833.
What does a Louisiana title transfer cost?▾
Louisiana charges 4.45% state sales/use tax on the transfer price plus any local surtax. Sales tax applies; parish taxes vary significantly The title fee itself is typically $15-$50 depending on vehicle class.
Do I need a bill of sale to transfer a title in Louisiana?▾
Yes — Louisiana requires a written bill of sale documenting the buyer, seller, vehicle (VIN, year, make, model), odometer reading, and sale price. Louisiana DMV uses the bill of sale to calculate sales tax and confirm transfer terms. Notarization required.
What if there's a lien on the title in Louisiana?▾
In Louisiana, the lender must complete DPSMV 1863 confirming lien satisfaction before title transfer. Some lenders provide an electronic release directly to Louisiana DMV. The buyer cannot register the vehicle until the lien is cleared.
How do I transfer a title for an inherited vehicle in Louisiana?▾
Louisiana inherited-vehicle transfers require either a small-estate affidavit or letters of administration depending on estate value. The successor presents probate paperwork plus the original title (or duplicate) to Louisiana DMV, along with a bill of sale for any sale to a third party.
Source: Louisiana DMV ↗ · Last verified 2026-05-07