Free Louisiana Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale
Louisiana vehicle transfers are subject to the federal Truth in Mileage Act (TIMA), 49 U.S.C. § 32705, requiring sellers to certify the odometer reading at transfer for all non-exempt vehicles. From model year 2011 the duty applies for 20 model years per vehicle; 2010 and older plus GVWR over 16,000 lbs are exempt. Louisiana sellers record the odometer disclosure on the Certificate of Title, and a separate bill of sale, if used, should carry the same reading; sales tax is also due by the 40th day after the sale, making timely action critical.
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Odometer disclosure is a federal requirement under 49 CFR §580, not just a best practice — and falsifying mileage is a federal crime. Our guide explains exactly what each field requires, which model years are exempt, and what to do if the odometer has rolled over. Read: Odometer Disclosure Statement: What It Is & What to Write →
Louisiana Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Agency
Louisiana OMV
Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
5%
Title Required
Yes
Inspection
Not required
Louisiana Odometer Disclosure Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Confirm the vehicle must disclose: model year 2011 or newer (2010 and older are exempt) and GVWR 16,000 lbs or under.
- Record the exact odometer mileage on the day of the sale.
- Complete the odometer disclosure section on the Louisiana Certificate of Title — select 'Actual mileage', 'Exceeds mechanical limits', or 'Not actual mileage'.
- If you use a separate bill of sale, include the same odometer reading and certification in it.
- Seller signs the odometer section on the title (and the bill of sale, if used) and signs the title assignment in front of a notary — the OMV asks for a title assigned before a notary, or a notarized bill of sale.
- Buyer countersigns to acknowledge the disclosed mileage.
- Both parties retain copies of the title and bill of sale.
- Submit the title to a Louisiana OMV office; Louisiana's 5.0% state sales tax is collected at transfer and is due by the 40th day after the sale (local taxes may apply on top).
Common Pitfalls
- An 'as-is' sale does not waive the odometer disclosure requirement — federal TIMA and Louisiana law both require disclosure.
- Disclosing the odometer on the title but leaving a different or blank reading on a separate bill of sale — keep every document consistent.
- Missing Louisiana's 40-day sales-tax due date, which results in penalty and interest for the buyer.
- Underestimating total tax: parish and city sales taxes are added to Louisiana's 5.0% state rate; check the OMV Parish Tax Table for the buyer's address.
- Failing to use consistent mileage figures on the title and the bill of sale — a mismatch can hold up the title application and raise questions later.
- Signing the title assignment without a notary — the OMV expects the seller to assign the title before a notary (or use a notarized bill of sale), so an unnotarized private sale can be turned away.
Louisiana Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale — FAQs
Does the odometer reading go on the title or the bill of sale in Louisiana?
On the title: the Certificate of Title's odometer section carries the disclosure. A separate bill of sale is not required in Louisiana when the selling price is on the title assignment, but if you use one, record the same reading so the documents match.
Is a 2001 model-year vehicle exempt from Louisiana odometer disclosure in 2026?
Yes. A 2001 model-year vehicle is exempt because it falls on the 2010-and-older side of the federal line — model year, not age, is what the rule reads. However, you should still document the sale details in the bill of sale.
What is Louisiana's title-transfer deadline and what happens if I miss it?
Louisiana's 40 days is a sales-tax due date rather than a stand-alone title deadline: tax on the sale is due by the 40th day after it and is paid when the buyer applies for title and registration. Missing it results in penalty and interest for the buyer, and the seller may retain title-related liability until the transfer is completed.
What if the odometer is broken at the time of the Louisiana sale?
Select 'Not actual mileage' on the title, note the inoperative odometer in the bill of sale, and specify that the mileage shown is not reliable. Do not estimate a reading.
What are the penalties for odometer fraud in Louisiana?
Under federal law, a knowing violation can bring fines and up to three years in prison. Louisiana also makes odometer tampering a state crime under La. R.S. 32:726.1: for a person who is not a car dealer, a first offense means a fine of up to $500, up to 90 days in jail, or both. Civil: triple actual damages, minimum $10,000, plus attorney's fees.