Louisiana residents must register their vehicles with the Office of Motor Vehicles. You can go in person to register and have the option to personalize your license plates.

Sample Louisiana License Plate

Applying for a License Plate in Louisiana

You must visit the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) to register your vehicle and acquire license plates.

You should bring the following to the office for your registration:

Vehicle title
Proof of insurance
Valid ID
Payment for registration fees

Depending on the type of plates you want, additional documents and fees may be required.

You must apply for a license plate if:

You are a new resident with an out-of-state vehicle
You are a resident of Louisiana who has purchased a new or used vehicle

In Louisiana, you’ll require T-Markers (i.e., Temporary Plates) to drive legally until your official license plates are prepared.

You’ll have 60 days to use these T-Markers, and they must be removed and recycled once you have received your vehicle’s plates.

Types of Available License Plates in Louisiana

If you have no special preference, you’ll receive a set of standard Louisiana license plates. These are white with blue lettering and the state name across the top in red.

Alternatively, there are various specialized license plates that you can choose for your vehicle.

If you have a disability, you can apply for a special permit that allows you to park in disabled parking spots. These license plates are issued only to people with permanent disabilities.

Specialized License Plates in Louisiana

Specialized Louisiana license plates require additional fees. Here’s a list of some that are available:

Educational License Plates
- High School License Plates
- Colleges & Universities License Plates
- Fraternities & Sororities License Plates
Professions License Plates
- EMT License Plates
- Firefighter License Plates
- Shriners License Plates
Charities & Special Causes License Plates
- Protect Our Forests License Plates
- Food Bank License Plates
Special Vehicle License Plates
- Antique Vehicle License Plates
- Street Rod License Plates
- Street Cruiser License Plates

Personalized License Plates in Louisiana

Personalized license plates must be approved by the Louisiana OMV before they are issued to you.

Follow these guidelines to determine your license plates' unique number:

Select up to 7 characters for passenger vehicles
Select up to 6 characters for motorcycles and disability plates
Use letters, numbers, and spaces
Do not use profanity or inappropriate words

You can check to see if the plate number you want is available online.

The fees for personalized plates are $25, plus $3.50 administration fee, $8 handling fee, and standard registration fees. You will only have to pay if your personalized plates are approved.

Renewing Louisiana License Plates

You must renew your Louisiana license plates every 2 years. To do so, you can submit your application by mail, online, or in person to the nearest OMV.

You’ll receive a new set of decals to be placed over the old ones on your license plate. Renewal fees vary per person and vehicle.

Lost or Stolen License Plates in Louisiana

If your Louisiana license plates are stolen or lost, it takes up to 30 days to get them replaced. You must visit your nearest OMV in person to apply for replacements.

Here’s what you should bring with you:

Completed Form DPSMV 1799: Vehicle Application
Police report or affidavit statement (some locations)
Vehicle documentation (title, registration, etc.)
Payment for fees:
- License Plate: $10 + $8 service fee
- Sticker: $10 + $8 service fee

File a report with the police immediately if you believe your license plates have been stolen. Doing so reduces the likelihood of your plates being misused by the wrong people.

Transfer License Plates in Louisiana

You are not permitted to transfer your license plates to a new owner. The only situations where license plates can be transferred are for trailers and trucks.

The fees for transferring your license plate vary by office in Louisiana. Contact your OMV for more information.

Surrendering License Plates in Louisiana

There are a few situations that require you to surrender your license plates. These include:

Selling your car and not transferring the plates to a new vehicle
Cancelling your vehicle’s insurance
Moving out of state

To surrender your license plates, you can send them to an OMV office in person or by mail. You’ll require the following if you surrender your plates in person:

License plates
Photocopy of registration documents
Valid ID (i.e. Louisiana Driver’s License)

Summary of Fees for Louisiana License Plates

If you are registering your vehicle in Louisiana, these are a few of the costs required:

Title Fee: $68.50
Title Correction: $68.50
License Transfer: $3.00
Handling Fee: $8.00
Motorcycle License Plate: $12.00 (valid 4 years)
Motorhome License Plate: $50 (valid 2 years)
Boat Trailer License Plate (up to 1,500 lbs): $25 (valid 4 years)
Truck License Plate (up to 6,000 lbs): $40 (valid 4 years)
Automobile Plates: Vary based on vehicle’s weight

You can pay these fees at the OMV by check, money order, or cash (do not send cash in the mail).

There may be additional taxes, services fees, and other fees to register your vehicle in Louisiana.

How to look up Louisiana license plates

In some cases, you may want to perform a background search on a vehicle to discover whether it was stolen or severely damaged.

You can look up license plates in Louisiana online to get a brief background check. This can help you make a decision when you're buying a used car from a private owner.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to look up Louisiana License Plates and report bad drivers:

Open a web browser
Go to FindByPlate.com
Enter the plate number, and select state
View the report
View images submitted by the community
View videos submitted by the community
Add comments
Add pictures of the vehicle
Add videos related to the vehicle

Car Ownership in Louisiana

Louisiana ranks 40 in the list of states with the highest rates of car ownership.
91.70% of households in Louisiana have at least one vehicle.
Louisiana ranks 46 (tied) in the US for electric vehicle ownership. Only 0.08% of all registered vehicles in Louisiana are electric vehicles. California has the most electric vehicles (1.61%), while Mississippi and North Dakota have the fewest (0.05%).
Louisiana ranks 9 on the list of most expensive states to own a car in the US.
The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in Louisiana is $388. The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Louisiana is $3,629 per year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Louisiana a 2-plate state?

Louisiana is not a 2-plate state. You only require one plate in Louisiana.

Does Louisiana require front plates?

Louisiana does not require front plates. You only need rear plates in Louisiana.

How many different license plates does Louisiana have?

You can choose from more than 200 different special plates in Louisiana based on your profession, interests, memberships, or causes.

How much is a specialty plate in Louisiana?

Specialty plates cost $25 in addition to the standard registration fee. There is also a one-time $3.50 administrative fee and $8 handling fee.

What bird is on the Louisiana license plate?

The bird that features on the standard Louisiana license plate is the Brown Pelican which is the state’s official bird.

Can I renew my vehicle registration online in Louisiana?

Yes, the Louisiana OMV allows online renewal of vehicle registration. You can do so on their website by using your renewal identification number which is mentioned on the renewal notice and your current vehicle registration certificate. Make sure you have a valid credit card on hand to pay the renewal fees (the OMV accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover).

If your current registration does not have a renewal ID number, it means you are not eligible to renew online because additional information is required. You can call the OMV on 225-925-6146 for further information and assistance.

How to request a duplicate or replacement vehicle registration in Louisiana?

You can request a duplicate or replacement registration online, by mail, or in person at your local OMV. If you are applying by mail or in person, you will need the current plate number or vehicle identification number (VIN), the make and model of the vehicle, and insurance proof. If you are applying online, you will need the current plate number, model year, and registration sticker expiration date. The fee for a replacement or duplicate registration is $12. In addition, there may be a local fee or an online service fee applicable.

I’m donating my vehicle in Louisiana. What do I need to do?

If you donate, trade, or sell your vehicle in Louisiana, you should notify the OMV. You can do this online. You will need the license plate number, the vehicle registration expiration date, the vehicle identification number (VIN), your driver’s license number or company EIN, the name and address of the buyer, the date the vehicle was sold, traded, or donated, and the selling price (if applicable).

Your record with the OMV will be flagged indicating that you have disposed of the vehicle. However, legal ownership of the vehicle will not be transferred until the new owner makes a title application.

Lookup by license plate and report bad drivers