Louisiana vehicle bill of sale

Fill in the free Louisiana bill of sale on this page and print it.

OMV asks for an original notarized bill of sale or invoice that shows the price and fully describes the vehicle. A separate bill of sale is not required if the selling price is included in the title assignment. OMV's own form, Bill of Sale of a Movable, is signed before a notary.

Use the official form if you prefer it: Bill of Sale of a Movable.

Louisiana lists these items:

• Vehicle year, make and model
• Vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Sales price
• Date of sale
• Names of the seller and buyer
• Signatures of the seller and buyer, and the notary's signature

1. Make sure any lien is released, on the title or with a lien release.
2. Fill in the title assignment to the buyer. Include the selling price so a separate bill of sale is not needed.
3. Sign the title assignment in front of a notary.
4. For a model year 2011 or newer vehicle under 20 years old, complete the odometer disclosure on the title, or on form DPSMV 1606 if the title has no odometer section. The buyer signs it too.
5. If the price is not in the title assignment, give the buyer an original notarized bill of sale.
6. Remove your plate. If you will cancel the vehicle's insurance, cancel the plate first, online, by mail or at an OMV office.
7. Send OMV a Notice of Transfer of Vehicle within 15 days, online or with form DPSMV1697. The notice does not transfer ownership.

The seller's assignment on the current Louisiana certificate of title, signed in front of a notary. OMV Policy 2.00 also accepts a signature in front of two witnesses if one of those witnesses completes the title's Acknowledgement of Witness section.

Required. File Notice of Transfer of Vehicle (DPSMV1697) within 15 days of the sale. You can file it online. It protects you if the buyer gets tickets or tolls, or abandons the car, before retitling it.

Private auto plates are not transferable between owners, and OMV issues new plates when a vehicle is transferred (OMV Policy 38.00). Remove your plate before the buyer takes the vehicle. Plates can be turned in at an OMV office or by mail, or canceled online. A plate must be canceled before the liability insurance is canceled. A plate canceled online does not need to be turned in, but it must be removed from the vehicle and destroyed.

Inspection. OMV's used vehicle title requirements list no inspection. Act 701 of 2026 (HB 1085) ends the periodic safety inspection requirement for most vehicles. It keeps inspections for commercial vehicles, covered farm vehicles over 26,000 pounds, student transportation vehicles, and vehicles registered in parishes under the federal emissions (I/M) program. The change takes effect Jan. 1, 2027, except in those emissions parishes, where it takes effect only if the EPA approves the state's plan. From June 30, 2026 to Jan. 1, 2027, officers may not cite a vehicle for lacking an inspection certificate.

Odometer disclosure. Required for model year 2011 and newer vehicles until they are 20 years old. Model year 2010 and older vehicles are exempt. Use the title's odometer section if it has one; otherwise use form DPSMV 1606. The statement must be signed or printed by both the seller and the buyer.

Sales tax. The buyer pays state and local sales tax to OMV when titling. It is based on the selling price shown on the title, bill of sale or invoice, minus any qualifying trade-in and rebate, at the rate for where the vehicle is domiciled (Parish Tax Table). Tax is due within 40 days of the sale. After that, a penalty of 5% per 30 days (up to 25%) and interest apply. OMV does not issue a title or registration until the tax is paid.

The buyer has 40 days to apply for a new title. The title fee is $68.50.

Forms used in the transfer:

• Vehicle Application (DPSMV 1799)
• Bill of Sale of a Movable
• Odometer Disclosure Statement (DPSMV 1606)
• Notice of Transfer of Vehicle (DPSMV1697)

This is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so check with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV), Department of Public Safety and Corrections if anything about your sale is unusual. Last verified October 20, 2026.

Listing it first? Good photos sell cars faster: see how to take pictures of a car to sell, and read the full guide to selling a car. Buying or selling in another state? Pick it on the bill of sale page.