Free Louisiana License Plate Lookup & Vehicle History
Buying a used car in Louisiana? Run a 100% FREE Louisiana License Plate Lookup to uncover the vehicle’s full history in seconds. Just enter the license plate number to generate a detailed report — including title brands, accident records, mileage discrepancies, open recalls, active liens, theft status, and more.
Why Use VinCheck.info for Louisiana Plate Checks?
✅ Totally Free – no fees, subscriptions, or credit card needed
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✅ No Sign-Up Required – search privately and anonymously
Why Run a Louisiana License Plate Lookup?
Buying a used car in Louisiana can be a smart choice, especially with access to inventory from both urban areas like New Orleans and Baton Rouge and rural parishes across the state. However, with over 3 million registered vehicles statewide and a used car price that often mirrors the national average (around $35,000+), it’s essential to do your due diligence before making a purchase.
Every vehicle in Louisiana is registered with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV), which issues license plates and maintains ownership records. These plates aren’t just identifiers — they’re your gateway to a vehicle’s full background. A Louisiana tag lookup could be the difference between a confident buy and a costly mistake.
Why Use a Free Louisiana License Plate Lookup?
A free Louisiana plate lookup from VinCheck.info gives you instant access to key vehicle information in Louisiana, helping you make smarter buying or selling decisions. Just enter a plate number to reveal:
- Vehicle Specs: Year, make, model, trim, and body style.
- Title History: Salvage, rebuilt, flood, or junk titles from Louisiana OMV or other states.
- Accident Reports: Collisions, structural damage, airbag deployments, or total loss.
- Odometer Records: Spot mileage rollbacks or irregularities.
- Vehicle Value: Know the fair market price.
- Liens & Loans: Check for outstanding loans or past repossessions.
- Ownership Type: Personal, rental, fleet, or leased.
- Open Recalls: Find unresolved safety recalls.
- Theft Records: See if the car was ever reported stolen.
- Sales History: Track prior sales, title transfers, and state movements.
Whether you’re buying in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, or New Orleans, VinCheck.info helps you spot red flags, verify details, and buy with confidence.
Louisiana License Plate Serial Format:
123 ABC
Sample Vehicle History Report
New Vehicle Title & Registration in Louisiana
If you’ve purchased a brand-new vehicle, you must title and register it with the Louisiana OMV before obtaining a license plate.
What You’ll Need:
- Vehicle Application Form (DPSMV 1799)
- Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO) – assigned and notarized if required by state law
- Original Itemized Invoice – must include:
- Make, model, year, and VIN
- Trade-in (if any)
- Dealer’s current permit number
- Notarization if a trade-in or tax credit is involved
- Odometer Disclosure Statement
- UCC-1 Financing Statement (if a lien is involved)
- Payment for applicable fees
To Get a Louisiana License Plate, Also Include:
- Copy of each owner’s valid photo ID (Louisiana or out-of-state)
- Proof of liability insurance
Used Vehicle Title & Registration in Louisiana
All used vehicles must be titled through the Louisiana OMV. This applies to private sales, dealer sales, or vehicle donations.
Required Documents:
- Vehicle Application Form (DPSMV 1799)
- Current Certificate of Title – assigned before a notary by the seller
- Odometer Disclosure Statement (if not included on the title)
- Notarized Bill of Sale or Invoice – must specify:
- Purchase price
- Vehicle details
- Dealer permit number (if applicable)
- Trade-in (if any) – must be notarized
- UCC-1 Form or Security Agreement (if a lien is involved)
Note: If the vehicle was purchased in a state that doesn’t require notarization, the notarized documents may not be necessary.
For Louisiana License Plate Issuance:
- Valid photo ID of each vehicle owner
- Proof of liability insurance (unless submitted by a dealer)
Louisiana Vehicle Registration Renewal
Louisiana residents can renew vehicle registration online through the OMV website. You’ll need either:
- Your Renewal Identification Number (found on your Renewal Notice), or
- Your current registration details
Important Notes:
- If your renewal notice lacks an ID number, you must contact OMV at 225-925-6146.
- All vehicles must carry active liability insurance under RS 32:861.
Duplicate or Replacement Louisiana Registration
Lost your registration certificate or need a replacement? You can request a duplicate vehicle registration in Louisiana:
Apply In Person or By Mail:
Include the following:
- VIN or current license plate number
- Vehicle make and model
- Proof of insurance
- $12 fee (+ up to $6 local fee)
Apply Online:
Prepare this info:
- Current license plate number
- Vehicle model year
- Registration sticker expiration date
Pay $12 + online processing fees
Louisiana Title & Registration Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
| Title Fee | $68.50 |
| Lien Recordation Fee (UCC-1) | $15.00 |
| Lien Recordation Fee (Other) | $10.00 |
| Handling Fee | $8.00 |
| Local Fee | Up to $6.00 |
| License Plate Fee | Varies by type/weight/value |
| Sales Tax | Based on domicile and sale price (minus trade-ins & rebates). Use the Parish Tax Table for exact rates. |
Louisiana Specialty License Plates
Louisiana offers dozens of specialty license plates for:
- Military veterans (Vietnam, Korean War, Desert Storm, Retired, etc.)
- Colleges and universities
- Fraternities and sororities
- Special interest groups
- Local organizations and Louisiana high schools
Requirements for Specialty Plates:
- Vehicle must be titled and registered in Louisiana under your name.
- Some plates have eligibility requirements (e.g., military service, alumni).
- Specialty plate fees vary and may differ from standard plate pricing.
- Some plates are also available for motorcycles and motorhomes.
Need Help? Call the Specialized Vehicle Unit: (225) 925-6278 or (225) 925-6146
Personalized Louisiana License Plates
Customize your license plate with a personalized message — great for adding your name, initials, nickname, or a creative word.
What You Can Request:
- Up to 7 characters (6 for motorcycles or handicap plates)
- Letters A-Z and numbers 0-9
- Hyphens and periods (each count as one character)
- Spaces (two half-spaces count as one character)
What You Cannot Request:
- More than 7 characters
- Special characters (#, @, %, etc.)
- Common plate formats (e.g., 3 letters + 3 numbers)
- Restricted prefixes (e.g., LSP, OMV, NOLA, LA, etc.)
- Offensive, vulgar, racial, or indecent content
- Substitutions like “1” for “I” or “0” for “O”
Personalized Plate Rules:
- Plates are issued first-come, first-served – no holds without paperwork.
- Submission doesn’t guarantee availability until OMV confirmation.
- Once accepted, the plate is reserved for 2 weeks to submit documents.
- Available for cars, trucks (up to 16,000 lbs), motorcycles, and motorhomes.
- All requests must be approved by the OMV for appropriateness.
How to Apply for a Personalized or Specialty Plate
You can apply:
- Online at ExpressLane.org
- Or submit Form DPSMV 1619 (Request for Personalized Plate)
Required Documents:
- A copy of your vehicle registration certificate
- If not titled in your name, include full titling documentation
- Proof of insurance
Important Notes About Plate Fees
- All special plate quotes on the website are for standard plates only.
- Prices are subject to change without notice and are non-binding.
- For availability at specific OMV field offices, use the Contact Us page and choose “Specialized Plates” as your inquiry type.
Additional Support:
Specialized Vehicle Unit: (225) 925-6371 or (225) 925-6146
Louisiana Vehicle Transfer
Sold, donated, or traded your car in Louisiana? Make sure to submit a Notice of Vehicle Transfer to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) to protect yourself from future liability.
A Notice of Vehicle Transfer tells the Louisiana OMV that you’ve sold, traded, or donated your vehicle. It flags the vehicle in their system, helping prevent future issues like unpaid tickets or tolls in your name.
Note: The vehicle is not legally transferred until the new owner applies for a title.
How to Submit a Notice of Vehicle Transfer in Louisiana
Step 1: Gather Required Information
To complete the transfer online or by mail, you’ll need:
- License plate number
- Registration expiration date
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Driver’s license number (or company EIN)
- Buyer’s name and address
- Date of sale, donation, or trade
- Selling price (if applicable)
Step 2: Submit Online or By Mail
You can submit your Notice of Transfer on the Louisiana OMV website or send your request to:
Office of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 64886
Baton Rouge, LA 70896
Be sure to receive a confirmation number if submitting online.
What To Do With the License Plate
After submitting the vehicle transfer notice:
- Standard plates: Destroy them (do not give them to the buyer).
- Truck and trailer plates: May stay with the vehicle and transfer to the new owner.
- Special/personalized plates: Can be kept by the seller for future use.
Prefer not to destroy the plate? You can also return it to your local OMV office or mail it to the address above.
Final Steps for Both Buyer & Seller
To complete the sale legally, make sure the following documents are submitted to the OMV:
- Signed vehicle title
- Bill of sale
- Odometer disclosure (if required)
- Any applicable fees
These can be submitted in person at a local Louisiana OMV office or mailed to:
Office of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 64886
Baton Rouge, LA 70896
Run a Free Louisiana License Plate Lookup Now
According to Louisiana Revised Statutes § 32:705, the seller is legally required to properly assign the vehicle title to the buyer at the time of sale. This includes completing all required fields such as the odometer disclosure, sale price, date of sale, and signatures from both parties. The seller must also remove the license plate and submit a Notice of Transfer to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV). Meanwhile, the buyer is responsible for applying for title and registration within 40 days of purchase. Failing to complete the title transfer correctly can result in rejection by the OMV, late penalties, and potential legal or registration issues for the new owner.
You can perform a free Louisiana license plate lookup through third-party sites that provide public vehicle history information. These services can show basic details like vehicle make, model, year, and sometimes ownership history. For full records, including lien or title status, a paid report or official state request may be required.
A Louisiana license plate lookup can reveal vehicle specifications, accident history, title brands, recalls, and ownership changes. Some tools may also show mileage, lien records, or service history if available. This information helps buyers verify if a used vehicle is legitimate and safe to purchase.
Yes, it is legal to perform a Louisiana license plate lookup as long as it complies with the federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). Personal information like the owner’s name or address is protected, but vehicle-related data is accessible. Always use trusted services that respect privacy laws and public records policies.
Due to privacy laws, you typically cannot find the owner’s name or contact info through a license plate lookup in Louisiana. However, law enforcement and certain authorized parties may access this data for official purposes. For general users, only vehicle-related details are available.
Using a Louisiana plate lookup helps you confirm the vehicle’s history, including title status, accidents, or odometer fraud. It’s a quick way to protect yourself from buying a stolen or salvage-titled vehicle. A simple check can save you from costly surprises down the road.
For official records, you can request information from the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV), usually by submitting a form and paying a fee. This is useful if you need certified or more detailed vehicle records. For quick checks, online lookup tools offer faster, basic data without paperwork.