Louisiana titles ATVs and off-highway vehicles through OMV — and yes, the bill of sale must be notarized just like a car. Use Form DPSMV2392, capture the VIN, and file Form DPSMV1799 at OMV within 40 days of purchase. Sales tax is 4.45% state plus your parish add-on. ATVs are NOT registered for road use in Louisiana; they get a title but no license plate, and operation is restricted to private property and approved off-road areas. Riders under 18 must helmet up, and riders under 16 must complete a state-approved ATV safety course. The titling step matters even though you can't plate it — without a Louisiana title, you can't legally sell or finance the machine later.
ATV titling laws are inconsistent — some states require full title transfers, others only require registration, and a few have no requirements at all. Read our guide to find out exactly what your state requires for off-road vehicle transfers. Read: Do I Need a Bill of Sale? →
Louisiana ATV Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Louisiana TITLES ATVs and off-highway vehicles through OMV — they get the same DPSMV1799 application and title document as motor vehicles. The bill of sale must be notarized just like a car (Louisiana's civil-law notarization requirement applies to all motor vehicles including ATVs and UTVs). Seller signs over the Louisiana ATV title; buyer files at OMV within 40 days. ATVs are NOT registered for road use — they're titled but not plated.
Inspection
Not required
Sales Tax Details
4.45% Louisiana state sales tax plus parish add-on (combined 8–11%) applies to ATV sales, collected at OMV when titling. Same rules and exemptions as motor vehicles.
Exemption: Family transfer exemption (spouse, parent, child, sibling) with notarized affidavit. Agricultural exemption may apply for ATVs used exclusively in commercial farming with R-1007 certificate.
Inspection Requirements
No safety or emissions inspection for ATVs. Louisiana law restricts ATV operation: ATVs are prohibited on most public roads, highways, and interstates — they may only cross public roads at right angles or operate on roads specifically opened by parish ordinance. Riders under 18 must wear helmets. No operator license required but riders under 16 must complete an approved ATV safety course.
Registration
Registration for this vehicle type is handled by Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (LA OMV) — not the same agency that handles cars in Louisiana. Plan for separate filings.
Louisiana ATV Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
Notarize the bill of sale (Form DPSMV2392) — same notarization rule as cars.
Record VIN (frame), engine number, year/make/model, hours, sale price, and date.
Seller assigns the Louisiana ATV title; complete DPSMV1799.
File at OMV within 40 days — ATVs are titled even though they aren't road-registered.
Pay 4.45% state sales tax plus parish add-on at OMV.
Verify the VIN against the title and inspect frame for tampering or replacement.
Confirm rider-safety-course requirements for any operators under 16.
Confirm helmet compliance for any riders under 18.
Common Pitfalls
Skipping titling because "it's just an ATV" — Louisiana requires titles, and an untitled machine is hard to resell or insure.
Skipping notarization — OMV will reject the bill of sale.
Operating on public roads — illegal in Louisiana except for right-angle crossings or parish-approved routes.
Letting an under-16 rider operate without the required safety course.
Buying a stolen ATV — VINs are easier to obscure on ATVs; verify against NCIC and the title.
Pro Tip
Notarize, title at OMV within 40 days, and remember: Louisiana ATVs are titled but not plated — and they belong off the public roads.
Louisiana ATV Bill of Sale — FAQs
Does Louisiana actually title ATVs?
Yes — Louisiana is one of the states that issues OMV titles for ATVs and off-highway vehicles. You'll use Form DPSMV1799 (the same Application for Title and Registration as cars use), and you'll receive a Louisiana title document. ATVs are NOT registered for road use, so you don't get a license plate or pay an annual registration fee, but the title is your legal proof of ownership. Skipping titling makes the ATV nearly impossible to insure properly, finance, or resell down the road, and exposes you to theft-recovery problems if it goes missing.
Does the ATV bill of sale need to be notarized?
Yes — Louisiana's motor-vehicle notarization requirement applies to ATVs and UTVs the same as cars. Both buyer and seller must sign in front of a Louisiana notary public, and OMV will reject an unnotarized bill of sale at the title window. Use Form DPSMV2392 or any notarized equivalent. This is a Louisiana-specific quirk that surprises out-of-state sellers; if you're buying a used ATV from a private seller, build the notary visit into your transaction plan.
Where can I legally ride an ATV in Louisiana?
On private property with permission, on designated off-road parks (Muddy Bottoms, Catahoula, Red River OHV, etc.), and on portions of certain Wildlife Management Areas during specific seasons. ATVs are PROHIBITED on most public roads, highways, and interstates — you may only cross a public road at a right angle, and only briefly. Some parishes have ordinances opening specific roads to ATV use (check with your parish sheriff), but absent a specific local exception, riding on a public road is a ticketable offense. Operating in marsh or wetland WMAs requires confirming current LDWF rules each season.
Are there age and safety requirements for ATV riders in Louisiana?
Yes. Riders under 18 must wear a DOT-approved helmet whenever operating an ATV, and riders under 16 must complete a state-approved ATV safety training course (offered by the ATV Safety Institute and various dealers) before operating on land other than land they or their parents own. Children under 6 are prohibited from operating an ATV at all, and operators under 16 generally cannot operate an adult-size ATV (over 90cc) — manufacturer age recommendations are enforced. Louisiana does not require a driver's license to operate an ATV off-road.
What sales tax do I owe on an ATV?
The same 4.45% Louisiana state sales tax plus parish/local add-on (combined 8–11%) that applies to cars also applies to ATVs and UTVs. Tax is collected at the OMV window when you title the machine, calculated on the purchase price shown on your notarized bill of sale. Family transfers (spouse, parent, child, sibling) are exempt with a notarized family affidavit. Agricultural use on a commercial farm may qualify for exemption with an R-1007 certificate, but the ATV must be used predominantly for farm work — recreational ATVs don't qualify even on farm property.