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. Vehicles 25 or more model years old (2001 or older in 2026) and those with a GVWR above 16,000 lbs are exempt. Louisiana is distinctive in that the odometer disclosure must appear both on the Certificate of Title AND in the bill of sale; additionally, Louisiana imposes a 40-day deadline to transfer the title, 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, when the 10-year exemption applies, 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
0.0445%
Title Required
Yes
Inspection
Not required
Louisiana Odometer Disclosure Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Confirm the vehicle requires disclosure: 2002 or newer model year 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'.
- Include the same odometer reading and certification in the Louisiana bill of sale for the transaction.
- Seller signs the odometer section on the title and the bill of sale.
- Buyer countersigns both documents to acknowledge the disclosed mileage.
- Both parties retain copies of the title and bill of sale.
- Submit the title to a Louisiana OMV office within 40 days of the sale; Louisiana's 4.45% state sales tax is collected at transfer (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 omitting it from the bill of sale — Louisiana requires both documents to reflect the mileage.
- Missing Louisiana's 40-day title-transfer deadline, which results in penalties and potential registration issues for the buyer.
- Underestimating total tax: Louisiana's combined state (4.45%) and local sales taxes can exceed 10% in some parishes.
- Failing to use consistent mileage figures on the title and the bill of sale — any discrepancy can trigger a fraud investigation.
Louisiana Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale — FAQs
Does Louisiana require odometer disclosure in both the title and the bill of sale?
Yes. Louisiana is one of the few states that explicitly requires the odometer reading to appear in both the Certificate of Title's odometer section AND in the bill of sale for the transfer. Omitting it from either document is non-compliant.
Is a 2001 model-year vehicle exempt from Louisiana odometer disclosure in 2026?
Yes. A 2001 model-year vehicle is 25 years old in 2026 and meets the federal exemption. 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 requires the title to be transferred within 40 days of the sale. Missing this deadline results in penalties assessed against 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?
Federal penalties: up to $10,000 and/or 3 years imprisonment per violation. Louisiana additionally classifies odometer fraud as a state crime under La. R.S. 32:706. Civil: triple actual damages, minimum $1,500, plus attorney's fees.