Registration FAQs

Our Registration FAQs section covers a variety of registration information that might not be specifically covered on our other pages.

You can save yourself some time by checking out this article, as well as the rest of our Registration and Titling sections, before you pick up the phone or head out to your local Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) location.

What do I do if I don't get my registration?

Reasons for not receiving your registration vary. If you don't receive your registration, contact the Louisiana OMV at (877) DMV-LINE (877-368-5463) or by using the online contact form.

How do I get a duplicate title?

We've outlined the steps to get a duplicate title in our Title Transfers section. For further information, you can visit the OMV's Title and Registration FAQs.

How do I get replacement tags?

To replace your tags, or license plates, you'll need to complete the back of a Vehicle Application. (This was the form you completed when you originally registered your vehicle.)

Take the form, along with your proof of insurance and the original registration certificate, to your local OMV office. You may want to call ahead for information about fees.

How do I get a duplicate registration?

Obtain a duplicate registration certificate online, or gather up a written request and the $12 fee. Include the vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate number, make, model, and proof of insurance. Then either mail the materials to the OMV or take them to your local office.

The Louisiana OMV provides further information online.

My husband recently went on a business trip to China. He left with a suitcase and came back with a car. How do we register it?

The complete procedures for registering a vehicle that was purchased in another country can be found in Section IV, Policy 41.00, which covers imported and gray-market vehicles.

In short, the only major difference in the registration process is that you'll need:

• The original out-of-country title.

• A form proving that the vehicle passed through U.S. Customs successfully.

• A Form 3520 from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Highway Safety Form 7 from the Department of Transportation proving that the vehicle was released by U.S. Customs; both forms must be stamped.

In addition to the guidelines listed above, you'll also need to have the VIN inspected by your local Louisiana State Police Troop. If the inspection fails, the Louisiana State Police must physically inspect the vehicle and submit an affidavit of such.

If any of the vehicle's documents are in a language other than English, you must present certified translations.

I made a trailer. How do I title and register it?

Gather up all the receipts for the parts you used to make the trailer, and contact your local Louisiana State Police Troop to arrange for an inspection and to have a VIN assigned.

The trooper who inspects your trailer will give you a receipt of inspection; take this receipt along with your driver's license to your local Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) location.

Fees for this type of title and registration process are as follows:

• $18.50 for the title

• $8 handling fee, though this may vary

• $10-$70 license plate fee, depending on the type of trailer, the size, and how long it's valid

• $5 VIN assignment fee if the VIN was assigned by your Troop; $10 if it was assigned in the field

What are Louisiana's vehicle inspection requirements, and where can I have my vehicle inspected?

Louisiana's inspection requirements are quite in-depth. You can find an online list of requirements provided by the Louisiana State Police.

The fee for inspection is $10, unless your vehicle is registered in Ascension, East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Livingston, or Iberville. The fee for these parishes is $13, and they must be inspected in one of these five parishes.

Vehicles registered in New Orleans, Kenner, or Westwego must contact their city governments for inspections.

A list of all other inspection stations is available online.

Where can I find registration and titling policies and procedures?

Here at DMV.ORG, we have broken down the basics of everything you need to know regarding registering, titling, and even buying and selling vehicles.

However, at times you may need more in-depth information. Refer to Louisiana's Policies and Procedures regarding Motor Vehicle Registration Requirements and Motor Vehicle License Plate Classifications and Requirements.

My vehicle is nonoperational. Can I get a special registration?

No, but you can cancel your registration and reinstate it once the vehicle is operable. See our Car Registration page for details.

Are any of Louisiana's registration-related forms available online?

Yes. You can obtain many registration forms online using the free Adobe Reader.

What should I do if I can't find the answers I need?

Call (877) DMV-LINE or use the online contact form.