Louisiana Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in Louisiana costs $68.50 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $856.50 in total, with $750 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
Louisiana title fees
These are the title-related fees in Louisiana's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $68.50 |
|---|---|
| Lien ucc | $15 |
| Lien other | $10 |
| License plate transfer | $3 |
| Plate passenger 2yr | $20 if value <= $10,000; otherwise ($10 + $1 per $1,000 of value over $10,000, rounded to nearest $1,000) x 2 |
| Plate by class (motorcycle 4yr) | $12 |
| Plate by class (motor home 2yr) | $50 |
| Plate by class (truck le 6000 lb) | $40 |
| Plate by class (truck 6001 10000 lb) | $112 |
| Plate by class (boat trailer le 1500 lb) | $25 |
| Plate by class (utility trailer le 500 lb) | $12 |
| Plate by class (other trailer 1yr) | $10 |
| Plate by class (other trailer 4yr) | $40 |
| Plate by class (other trailer permanent) | $70 |
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in Louisiana
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the Louisiana car tax calculator:
| Title | $68.50 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $750 |
| Handling fee (if you register it now) | $8 |
| License plate (2 years) (if you register it now) | $30 |
| Estimated total | $856.50 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Deadline and late fees
Louisiana charges a penalty if the title isn't transferred on time. Late penalties: license plate transfer $3; plate passenger 2yr $20 if value <= $10,000; otherwise ($10 + $1 per $1,000 of value over $10,000, rounded to nearest $1,000) x 2; plate by class (motorcycle 4yr) $12; plate by class (motor home 2yr) $50; plate by class (truck le 6000 lb) $40; plate by class (truck 6001 10000 lb) $112; plate by class (boat trailer le 1500 lb) $25; plate by class (utility trailer le 500 lb) $12; plate by class (other trailer 1yr) $10; plate by class (other trailer 4yr) $40; plate by class (other trailer permanent) $70.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| Donation / gift (OMV Policy 52) | Tax $0 unless a non-spouse mortgage is assumed; then the outstanding principal is taxed |
|---|---|
| Active-duty military (Policy 50) | State and local tax $0 when titled in the member's name with tax paid out of state; not for spouse-titled vehicles or new purchases with no prior tax |
Inherited vehicles
| Inheritance (Policy 18) | Tax $0; if the heir sells to a third party, that sale is taxed on the selling price |
|---|
Other cases that change the cost in Louisiana
| Private-party sale | Trade-in does not reduce the taxable base |
|---|---|
| Divorce / property settlement (Policy 52/74) | Tax $0 |
| Tax paid to another state (Policy 48) | Credit against Louisiana tax |
| New resident (Policy 48) | Tax capped at $90 for a personal vehicle with prior title, moved within 90 days |
| Nominal ($1) bill of sale | Still treated as a sale, not a donation |
How Louisiana works out what you owe
- Taxable base = price - trade-in (dealer sales only) - rebate
- Tax = taxable base x (state rate + local rate)
- Apply out-of-state credit or new-resident cap if applicable
- Total = tax + title + handling + lien fee + local office fee + plate (or plate transfer) + EV/hybrid road-usage fee + tag agent fee + doc fee + notary
What to bring
The title signed over by the seller (with the odometer reading), a bill of sale, proof of insurance and your ID. If the car still has a loan, the lender must release the lien first.
Official sources checked for Louisiana: www.expresslane.org, revenue.louisiana.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Louisiana?
The title fee is $68.50. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $856.50.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in Louisiana?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, Louisiana charges about $750. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
Is there a late fee for transferring a title in Louisiana?
Yes. License plate transfer: $3; Plate passenger 2yr: $20 if value <= $10,000; otherwise ($10 + $1 per $1,000 of value over $10,000, rounded to nearest $1,000) x 2; Plate by class (motorcycle 4yr): $12; Plate by class (motor home 2yr): $50; Plate by class (truck le 6000 lb): $40; Plate by class (truck 6001 10000 lb): $112; Plate by class (boat trailer le 1500 lb): $25; Plate by class (utility trailer le 500 lb): $12; Plate by class (other trailer 1yr): $10; Plate by class (other trailer 4yr): $40; Plate by class (other trailer permanent): $70.
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in Louisiana?
Donation / gift (OMV Policy 52): Tax $0 unless a non-spouse mortgage is assumed; then the outstanding principal is taxed. Active-duty military (Policy 50): State and local tax $0 when titled in the member's name with tax paid out of state; not for spouse-titled vehicles or new purchases with no prior tax.
What happens to a car title after a death in Louisiana?
Inheritance (Policy 18): Tax $0; if the heir sells to a third party, that sale is taxed on the selling price.