Louisiana Vehicle Bill of Sale

Introduction

Key Things to Know

1. 1

   Louisiana publishes a state form called BILL OF SALE OF A MOVABLE. It is written in notarial-act format and lists no printed DPSMV number on the form. A separate bill of sale is not required in a private sale when the sales price is included as part of the title assignment to the buyer.

2. 2

   The title must be signed before a notary or two witnesses. Under OMV Policy 2.00, for a sale between private parties the certificate of title must be signed by the seller in the presence of a notary public or in the presence of two witnesses. Dealer sales in Louisiana on or after 01/01/2023 do not require notarization.

3. 3

   Odometer disclosure uses Form DPSMV1606. An Odometer Disclosure Statement on Form DPSMV1606 is required for non-exempt vehicle types, and a supplemental statement is needed when the back of the title has no odometer block. The federal baseline under 49 CFR 580 applies.

4. 4

   Sales and use tax is set by OMV Policy 47.00. Louisiana sales and use tax on a vehicle transfer is governed by OMV Section 4, Policy 47.00, Sales Tax On Vehicle Transfers. The exact rate is set by that policy, so check the Louisiana OMV for the current rate that applies to your sale.

5. 5

   You title and register at the Louisiana OMV. Apply on title application Form DPSMV1799. A new resident who imports a vehicle for use must apply for a title or registration within 30 days of establishing residency in Louisiana.

6. 6

   A separate bill of sale can be optional or required. It is not required in a private sale when the price is on the title assignment to the buyer, but otherwise an original bill of sale is needed, including for pre-2023 or out-of-state notarial sales.

7. 7

   The notary-or-two-witnesses rule is the Louisiana difference. Because the title transfer itself must be signed before a notary or two witnesses in a private sale, Louisiana follows its civil-law tradition rather than the simple signed bill of sale that most states accept.

Louisiana Requirements for Bill of Sale

• BILL OF SALE OF A MOVABLE; No Printed Form Number

  Louisiana publishes a state form titled BILL OF SALE OF A MOVABLE, written in notarial-act format, that carries no printed DPSMV number. A separate bill of sale is not required in a private sale when the sales price is included as part of the title assignment to the buyer; otherwise an original bill of sale is needed.

• Title Signed Before a Notary or Two Witnesses

  Under OMV Policy 2.00, for a sale between private parties the certificate of title must be signed by the seller in the presence of a notary public or in the presence of two witnesses. Dealer sales in Louisiana on or after 01/01/2023 do not require notarization.

• Vehicle Description and VIN

  Identify the vehicle by year, make, model, body type, color, and the full vehicle identification number (VIN), along with the sale price and date, so the bill of sale matches the title being assigned.

• Odometer Disclosure on Form DPSMV1606

  An Odometer Disclosure Statement on Form DPSMV1606 is required for non-exempt vehicle types, and a supplemental statement is needed when the back of the title has no odometer block. The federal baseline under 49 CFR 580 applies.

• Sales and Use Tax Under OMV Policy 47.00

  Louisiana sales and use tax on a vehicle transfer is governed by OMV Section 4, Policy 47.00, Sales Tax On Vehicle Transfers. The rate is set by that policy and is not printed on the bill of sale, so check the Louisiana OMV for the current rate that applies to your transfer.

• Title and Register at the Louisiana OMV

  Title and register the vehicle at the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) using title application Form DPSMV1799. The OMV processes the notarized title transfer and the application.

• New-Resident 30-Day Deadline

  A new resident who imports a vehicle to Louisiana for use must apply for a title or registration within 30 days of the date they establish residency. Missing the window can add cost and delay, so complete the transfer promptly.

• Bill of Sale Optional or Required by Situation

  A separate bill of sale is not required in a private sale when the price is included in the title assignment to the buyer, but otherwise an original bill of sale is required, including for pre-2023 or out-of-state notarial sales. Keep it as a record of the parties, price, vehicle, and date.