Free Louisiana Motorcycle Bill of Sale
Louisiana's civil-law DNA shows in every motorcycle sale: a notary has to be part of the file — the title assignment, or the Act of Sale if the price is not on the title — or the OMV won't accept the transfer, however complete the rest of the packet looks. The paperwork then runs on DPSMV 1799, with sales tax due by the 40th day after the sale at 5.0% state PLUS the buyer's parish rate, which routinely pushes the combined figure to 9–10% around New Orleans and Baton Rouge — the parish share can exceed the state's own. The 2025 good news still surprises returning riders: the annual state safety inspection is gone for private vehicles, replaced by a mailed QR-code sticker, with only New Orleans, Kenner, and Westwego retaining municipal authority.
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Louisiana Motorcycle Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
Same 5.0% state + parish add-on tax applies.
Inspection Requirements
The statewide annual safety inspection ended in 2025, and that change covers motorcycles too — registration now comes with a QR-code sticker (roughly $6) instead of a brake-tag. Riders in New Orleans, Kenner, or Westwego should verify local ordinances, since those cities retained inspection authority.
Louisiana Motorcycle Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Put the sale price on the title assignment and notarize it — or prepare a notarized Act of Sale with VIN, year, make, model, sale price.
- Seller signs title assignment.
- Buyer files DPSMV 1799 at LA OMV, paying the sales tax by the 40th day after the sale.
- Buyer pays state + parish tax + fees.
- Skip the inspection station — Louisiana retired the statewide motorcycle safety inspection in 2025 (a mailed QR-code sticker took its place).
Common Pitfalls
- Forgetting the notary — the title, bill of sale or invoice must be notarized for motorcycles too.
- Not budgeting for parish tax — it can exceed the state rate.
- Hunting for an inspection station out of habit — the statewide requirement was abolished in 2025; only New Orleans, Kenner, and Westwego can still impose local rules.
Pro Tip
LA motorcycle: one notarized document + DPSMV 1799 + sales tax due by day 40 + 5.0% + parish tax.