Free Louisiana Vehicle Bill of Sale
Louisiana builds vehicle transfers around a notary, but it asks for one notarized document, not two: the title assignment, the bill of sale, or the invoice. If the selling price is written on the title assignment, a separate bill of sale is not required; if it is not, the OMV wants an original notarized bill of sale or invoice showing the price. Bring the paperwork with Form DPSMV1799 (Application for Title and Registration) to your local Office of Motor Vehicles (or authorized public tag agent) — the sales tax is due by the 40th day after the sale. Sales tax is 5.0% state plus your parish add-on, which typically pushes the combined rate to 8–10%. A 2026 law is phasing out the statewide inspection sticker for most private cars.
Free PDF includes a light diagonal watermark. Go Pro to remove it. Already subscribed? Sign in.
Louisiana Vehicle Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
5.0% Louisiana state sales tax PLUS parish and local add-on rates — combined effective rates typically run 9% to 11% depending on parish, higher around New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Tax is collected by OMV at titling on the sale price, less any qualifying trade-in and rebate.
Exemption: Some transfers between family members may be exempt from Louisiana sales tax. Confirm with the OMV which relationships qualify and what documentation it requires.
Inspection Requirements
The OMV's used-vehicle title checklist does not list an inspection. Louisiana passed a 2026 law that phases out the annual inspection sticker for most private cars — check with the Louisiana State Police or OMV for the current rule. Louisiana has no statewide emissions program; only five parishes in the Baton Rouge metro area (East/West Baton Rouge, Ascension, Iberville, Livingston) have emissions (OBD) testing, and that area is still tested. No inspection paperwork required at OMV.
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 Vehicle Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Get one document notarized: the title assignment with the price written on it, or a bill of sale showing the price (signed before a Louisiana notary public).
- Record VIN, year/make/model, odometer reading, sale price, and sale date on the bill of sale, if you use one.
- Seller signs the back of the Louisiana title to the buyer; complete the odometer disclosure section.
- Complete Form DPSMV1799 (Application for Title and Registration).
- Visit your parish OMV office or an authorized public tag agent and pay the sales tax by the 40th day after the sale.
- Pay 5.0% state sales tax plus your parish/local add-on (typically 8–11% combined).
- Bring proof of Louisiana liability insurance (15/30/25 minimum).
- Check the current inspection-sticker rule — a 2026 law is phasing it out for most private cars.
Common Pitfalls
- Skipping the notary — if neither the title assignment nor the bill of sale (or invoice) is notarized, the OMV will not accept the file.
- Missing the 40-day sales-tax due date triggers penalty and interest.
- Forgetting parish-level sales tax — the 5.0% state rate is only part of what you owe.
- Writing "$1" or "gift" on a real sale — Louisiana taxes the actual sale price, so ask the OMV what documentation a genuine family gift needs.
- Relying on an un-notarized bill of sale to show the price — if the price is not on a notarized title assignment, the bill of sale must be the notarized original.
Pro Tip
Get the title assignment or bill of sale notarized at signing, file at OMV with DPSMV1799 and pay the tax by day 40, and budget for 5.0% state tax plus your parish add-on.