Louisiana License Plate Search

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 types of plates you want, additional documents and fees may be required.

You must apply for a license plate if:

1. You are a new resident with an out-of-state vehicle
2. You resident of Louisiana that has purchased a new or used vehicle

In Louisiana, you’ll require T-Markers (i.e. Temporary Plates) to all you 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 preference, you’ll receive a set of standard Louisiana license plates which is white with blue lettering and the state name across the top in red.

Alternative, there are a variety of specialized license plates you can choose for your vehicle.

For those with 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 those with permanent disabilities.

Specialized License Plates in Louisiana

These specialized louisiana license plates require additional fees. Here’s a list of some 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 prior to being issued to you.
Follow these guidelines to determine your license plates unique number:

• Select up to 7 characters
  • Select up to 6 characters for motorcycles and disabled 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

It takes up to 30 days to get your license plates replaced if they were stolen or lost. 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 (i.e. title, registration, etc.)
• Payment for renewal fees:
  • License Plate: $10 + $8 service fee
  • Sticker: $10 + $8 service fee

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

Transfer License Plates in Louisiana

You are not permitted to transfer your license plates to a new owner. The only situation allowing for license plates to be transfered are for:

• Trailers
• Trucks

The fees associated with 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 requiring you to surrender your license plates, such as:

• Selling your car and not transferring 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 1500 lbs): $25 (valid 4 years)
• Truck License Plate (up to 6 000 lbs): $40.00 (valid 4 years)
• Automobile Plates: Vary based on vehicle’s weight

You can provide payment to the OMV in the following forms:

1. Checks or money orders
2. Cash (do not send cash in the mail)

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

Looking Up License Plates in Louisiana

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 when making a decision when buying used cars from private owners.

Additionally, you can use FindMyPlate to lookup available plate numbers for your own personalized license plate.