Vehicle owners must submit a Louisiana DMV license plate application after acquiring a new or used car. As such, motorists must purchase new registration plates from the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV), which is administered by the state’s Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS). As a general rule, car owners must get a license plate at the same time that they register and title their vehicles in the state.

Motorists may apply for car registration plates by mail or in person at an OMV office. To do so, applicants will be required to provide documentation regarding themselves and the vehicles they own. To learn more about how to get a license plate in LA, read the sections below.

Types of License Plates in Louisiana

When purchasing car registration plates in Louisiana, vehicle owners can choose from several different types of license plate. However, the fees for OMV car tags vary according to each type. Some of the most common license plates include:

• Standard plates
• Special plates, including military plates, veteran plates, Desert Storm plates, Vietnam veteran plates or Korean war plates
• Special plates for high schools, universities, colleges, sororities or fraternities
• Special plates for organizations or services
• Special interest plates, including plates for organizations such as 4-H, Girl Scouts, Support Our Troops and the Wild Turkey Federation
• Personalized plates

How to Apply for a License Plate in Louisiana

Drivers must apply for new registration plates in LA when they title and register their motor vehicles in the state. To do so, vehicle owners may visit a local OMV office to complete the process in person, or send all of the license plate application materials through the mail to the state’s motor vehicle headquarters. For instance, in order to apply for car registration plates, car owners must submit the following documentation:

• A completed application form
• The vehicle’s current certificate of title
• A lien release, if applicable
• A copy of the vehicle’s security agreement or financing statement, if applicable
• The vehicle’s bill of sale or manufacturer’s statement of origin
• Proof of photo identification
• Proof of auto insurance
• Payment for all of the fees pertaining to an OMV license plate, registration and title

When getting LA license plates in person, applicants may pay any applicable fees with credit/debit cards, electronic checks, cash, money orders and electronic funds transfer. Conversely, when applying by mail, motorists must pay with personal or business checks, money orders, cashier’s checks or via an electronic funds transfer. Furthermore, unlike it is the case in other states, car dealerships in Louisiana do not submit license plate and registration applications on behalf of car buyers.

How to Renew License Plate Tags in Louisiana

In many cases, car owners may renew license plate documents online using the official OMV portal. However, when renewing license plate credentials online, applicants must refer to their notice or current registration certificate to complete the car registration renewal process. A state-issued registration notice will contain an applicant’s renewal identification number and their vehicle’s model year. If motorists refer to their current registration card, they must enter the car’s make and model year, license plate number, date of purchase and the last six digits of the vehicle identification number (VIN).

If car owners are not allowed to complete the online license plate renewal process, they may renew their car tags in person or by mail. During the process of how to renew license plate credentials in person, motorists must visit an Office of Motor Vehicles office to submit their vehicle’s current registration card or renewal notice, as well as proof of the vehicle’s liability insurance. When renewing car tags by mail, applicants must include a copy of their photo ID or driver’s license in addition to the documents listed on the renewal notice.

How to Replace License Plates in Louisiana

Motorists must replace a license plate that sustains enough damages or becomes illegible. Furthermore, duplicate registration documents may be required if these credentials are lost or stolen. In order to request replacement decals or tags, car owners must visit a local OMV branch in person. When replacing a license plate in Louisiana, vehicle owners must complete the appropriate application form and submit it along with documents such as the vehicle’s registration certificate, proof of auto insurance and a valid driver’s license. Additionally, drivers may replace car tags at no charge if they order them from the OMV but do not receive the duplicate credentials within 60 days of the transaction date.

If you are wondering how to replace license plate stickers or tags that have been stolen, be mindful that you must report the theft to local law enforcement before applying for a replacement tag or emblem.

How to Transfer License Plates in Louisiana

Under state law, you cannot transfer your LA car registration tags from one vehicle to another. Instead, you must remove the license plate from your vehicle and surrender it to the OMV before canceling your auto insurance policy. When surrendering your car registration plates, you must present your driver’s license and a copy of the vehicle’s registration certificate.

If you cannot surrender your OMV license plates in person, you may mail them in to a specific OMV mailing address. With it, you must include a copy of the vehicle’s registration certificate.

Louisiana License Plate Fees

When applying for new registration plates in Louisiana, car owners must pay the fees related to a license plate, vehicle registration and titling procedure. However, these OMV license plate costs vary according to the specific type of license plate you are requesting, as well as your vehicle’s weight, type, sales use tax and selling price. Additional fees for car registration plates include the costs of renewing, replacing or transferring an existing car tag.

Passenger vehicle license plates range in price from $20 to $82 depending on the vehicle’s value. Personalized plates cost $25 per year in addition to the regular plate fee.

License Plate Lookups in Louisiana

Before purchasing a vehicle, you can gather information about it by performing an online OMV license plate lookup. During a Louisiana OMV car tag lookup, you can learn about the vehicle’s performance, safety ratings and any prior recall information involving this type of car. Additionally, you can learn more about the vehicle’s previous owner, manufacturer and engine type. Furthermore, this procedure allows you to find out whether this car has ever been involved in an accident.

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