Selling a used car in Louisiana is not as complicated as you may think, especially if you follow the right steps. Whether you're selling for the first time or you’ve done this before, it's important to understand the state's requirements. From how to handle the vehicle title to whether or not to remove your license plate, we’ve got you covered.
How To Sell Your Car in Louisiana
- Collect Your Required Paperwork
- Consider Selling Via CarGurus
- Transfer the Title
- Remove Your License Plates
- Notify the OMV
- Update Your Insurance
Collect Your Required Paperwork
Louisiana law requires a few important documents for the title transfer and vehicle registration process. So, before you list your vehicle, make sure you have all the paperwork together to make the process simple:
Vehicle Title
The vehicle title is the most important document — it proves ownership. Ensure it is in your name and that any loan from a lender has been paid off.
Odometer Disclosure Statement
If your vehicle is a 2011 model year or newer, the Federal Odometer Disclosure Rule under Louisiana law requires you to provide an odometer disclosure statement each time the vehicle is sold for the first 20 years. The odometer disclosure statement verifies the vehicle’s mileage at the time of sale to help prevent fraud and ensure accurate records. This information can be submitted using Form 1606 from the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV).
Bill of Sale
The bill of sale records the deal between you and the new owner. It needs to include the buyer’s and seller’s names, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the date of sale, and the purchase amount. Louisiana provides a sample on the OMV website.
Driver’s License
You'll need your driver’s license to verify your identity when signing notarized documents.
Consider Selling Via CarGurus
CarGurus makes it easy to sell your car in Louisiana. You only need to provide some basic information about your vehicle to receive up to five offers from local dealerships. Simply choose the best offer and we'll put you in touch with the dealership to appraise your vehicle and finalize the sale. If you don’t want to sell it immediately, you have the opportunity to subscribe to a CarGurus vehicle market value tracker that will update you on your car’s approximate worth once a month via email.
Transfer the Title
Once you have found a buyer, you will need to legally transfer ownership. Title transfer includes:
Notarized Title
Both you and the buyer must sign the back of the title in the presence of a notary. This is mandatory in Louisiana, even for private sales. Without notarization, the vehicle transfer is not considered valid.
Remove Any Lien
If the vehicle title still lists a lienholder, make sure the lender provides a lien release so the transfer can go ahead smoothly.
If you are transferring a vehicle from out of state, you must complete and submit a Vehicle Application form, DPSMV1799.
Remove Your License Plates
You must remove your license plate before handing over the vehicle for standard passenger vehicles, including pickup trucks, SUVs, or vans. You can either destroy the plate or return it to your local OMV office. This helps prevent fraud or misuse by the new owner.
Vehicles with apportioned plates, such as commercial trucks operating across state lines, should follow the OMV's IRP guidance.
Notify the OMV
After the sale, you are legally required to inform the Louisiana OMV of the transaction. This step protects you from future liability and serves as validation that you’ve released the car and are no longer responsible for it. This can be especially important if the new owner doesn’t complete vehicle registration right away. You will use the Notice of Vehicle Transfer form. This must be done within 15 days of the sale. The easiest way is through the online OMV Vehicle Transfer Portal.
Be prepared to provide:
- Your name and driver’s license number
- The vehicle identification number (VIN)
- The date of the sale
- Who the vehicle sold to, including the buyer’s name, address, and phone number
If you need help during the process, the OMV FAQ page provides clear guidance.
Update Your Insurance
Remember to contact your insurance company to cancel or update your policy once the vehicle is sold. If you are planning to trade in or buy a new vehicle, your insurer can help transfer coverage right away. Otherwise, canceling helps avoid charges or liability for a used car you no longer own.
