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Louisiana title transfer fees
How much is the title fee in Louisiana?
Explained below
In plain English
For a used vehicle, the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles lists a $68.50 title fee and an $8.00 handling fee, plus a local fee that may apply and will not exceed $8. If applicable, the lien recordation fee (for recording a lender's claim) is $15.00 for UCC-1 financing statements or $10.00 for other security agreement documents.
“Fees necessary for used vehicle registration: $68.50 title fee”
The official words for the rest
“$8.00 handling fee $8.00 local fee (may apply and will not exceed $8)”
“$15.00 lien recordation fee for UCC-1 financing statements or $10.00 lien recordation fee for other security agreement documents, if applicable.”
Worked example
Example: a $12,000 used car bought from a private seller in Louisiana. The title fee quoted for Louisiana is not one figure, so none is used here. Tax is left out of this example. Not included: registration and plates, a lien fee, an out-of-state inspection, county or office add-ons, and late fees.
A made-up price; every other figure is from the quotes on this page. It is an illustration, not a bill.
What other fees come with it?
- Lien fee$15not added
“$15.00 lien recordation fee for UCC-1 financing statements or $10.00 lien recordation fee for other security agreement documents, if applicable.”
What are the steps in Louisiana, and by when?
In plain English
Sales tax on a vehicle sale, not including mobile homes, is due by the 40th day following the date of sale.
The official words
“Sales tax on vehicle sales, not including mobile homes, is due by the 40th day following the date of sale, to avoid penalty and interest.”
For a used vehicle, the license plate fee is based on the type, weight and selling price of the vehicle.
The official words
“License plate fee based on type/weight/selling price of the vehicle.”
What if the car comes from another state?
In plain English
For new residents who purchased a vehicle out-of-state, Louisiana state and local use taxes are levied and do not exceed $90.00, provided all of the policy's conditions are met. The quote we hold does not list those conditions.
The official words
“Louisiana state and local use taxes will be levied, and shall not exceed $90.00, for new residents who purchased a vehicle out-of-state, provided all the following conditions are met:”
A physical inspection is the process used to verify a vehicle's identity and vehicle identification number (VIN). It is required on an "as needed" basis or when required by statute, and the quote does not say whether a vehicle from another state needs one.
The official words
“Physical Inspection - The process used to verify the identity and vehicle identification number (VIN) of a vehicle. This process is required on an “as needed” basis or when required by statute.”
What about tax on the purchase in Louisiana?
In plain English
Sales and use tax is based on the domicile of the vehicle and is assessed on the sales price minus any qualifying trade vehicle and rebate. The Department of Revenue's general rate page, which is not specific to vehicles, shows a state sales tax rate of 5.00% as of January 1, 2025, and says taxes levied by political subdivisions of the state are in addition to the state's.
The official words
“Sales use tax will be based on the domicile of the vehicle and will be assessed on the sales prices of the vehicle minus any qualifying trade vehicle and rebate.”
“Rate as of January 1, 2025 Sales Tax ; 5.00%”
“Sales and use taxes levied by political subdivisions of the state are in addition to the sales and use taxes levied by the state.”
We don’t work out tax for Louisiana.
What does a gift or family transfer change in Louisiana?
In plain English
Sales and use tax is not due on an act of donation. The act of donation must be notarized.
The official words
“Sales/use tax is not due on act of donations”
“NOTE: Act of Donation must be notarized.”
What happens if the transfer is late in Louisiana?
In plain English
Sales tax on vehicle sales, not including mobile homes, is due by the 40th day after the sale to avoid penalty and interest. Penalty accrues at 5% of the delinquent tax for each thirty days, for both state and parish or municipality taxes, up to 25% of the tax.
The official words
“Sales tax on vehicle sales, not including mobile homes, is due by the 40th day following the date of sale, to avoid penalty and interest.”
“Penalty accrues at the rate of 5% of the tax for each thirty (30) days that the tax is delinquent for both state and parish/municipality taxes due. Penalty will not exceed a maximum of 25% of the tax.”
What the pages we read do not cover
The quotes we hold do not give a deadline for applying for the title itself, or say which office handles it.
The quotes we hold do not give the local tax rates.
The quotes we hold do not list the conditions for the new resident tax cap.
How Louisiana compares
The title fee quoted for Louisiana is not a single figure, so Louisiana is not placed among the other states.
Every state in one table · How a title transfer works
Add it up for Louisiana
Reference only, not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the agency. Full statement
Sources
13 quoted lines from 6 official sources, each matched word for word on November 12, 2026. The state’s own titling page is expresslane.org.
- Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, Used Title and Registration · expresslane.org
- Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, Policy 48.00 Out of State Transfers and Reciprocity with Other States (PDF) · public.powerdms.com
- Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, Policy 52.00 Act of Donation / Manual Gift (PDF) · public.powerdms.com
- Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, Policy 55.00 Penalty and Interest (PDF) · public.powerdms.com
- Louisiana Department of Revenue, What is the sales tax rate in Louisiana? · revenue.louisiana.gov
- Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, Policy 70.00 Affidavit of Physical Inspection (PDF) · public.powerdms.com