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Louisiana License Plate Lookup

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License Plate Lookup in Louisiana

A Louisiana license plate lookup is a search conducted by putting the license plate characters in a search tool, typically online. State agencies and industry associations usually maintain databases containing information about registered vehicles and their owners. Therefore, you may be able to obtain information about the history of a vehicle from manufacture till date. A license plate lookup can also provide information on:

  • Accident history
  • Manufacturer recalls
  • The VIN
  • Salvage and other branded titles
  • Sale history, market value, and estimated ownership costs
  • Equipment and trim specifications

There are various reasons why a license plate lookup can be performed. You may do it to obtain Louisiana traffic records or if you intend to purchase a used vehicle. Conducting a quick license plate lookup can ensure that the seller has the legal right to sell the car and that the information provided by the seller about the vehicle is accurate. You may also conduct a license plate lookup if you were involved in an accident. For instance, if you are involved in a hit-and-run, you may quickly perform a license plate lookup to find information about the other vehicle and its driver.

You may conduct a license plate lookup in Louisiana by contacting the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV). Information or vehicle records obtained from the Louisiana OMV are typically accurate and up to date. Alternatively, you may conduct a license plate lookup through online sites offering the service. Some of these third-party vendors provide the service for free, while others require requestors to pay a fee. Free services often only provide basic vehicle information, which may be inaccurate. You are more likely to obtain comprehensive and precise information if you opt for a paid service or use the Louisiana OMV.

What is a Louisiana License Plate?

Louisiana license plates are registration plates attached to motor vehicles in Louisiana for identification purposes. The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles issues license plates in the state. The state has required most registered motor vehicles in its jurisdiction to affix only rear plates since 1952.

The Office of Motor Vehicles issues standard license plates to passenger vehicles. The state also offers several options of specialty license plates, as well personalized plates. Personalized plates may be issued to automobiles, trucks weighing up to 10,000 lbs., private buses, and motorcycles. Louisiana personalized license plates can have letters a to z, numbers 0 to 9, spaces, periods, and hyphens. Personalized plates must have at least two letters. Half-spaces may be included, but two half-spaces would be equivalent to one space. Only six letters and numbers are permitted on a motorcycle or handicap personalized plate. Louisiana residents with permanent lifetime disabilities can obtain mobility-impaired license plates.

Passenger License Plates vs. Commercial License Plates

Commercial license plates differ from passenger license plates in that they are issued to vehicles registered as commercial vehicles. Passenger license plates are issued to privately registered vehicles. Louisiana defines a commercial vehicle as a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport property of passengers if the vehicle meets one of the requirements stated in Section 32.401(b) of the Louisiana Driver's Law.

Per Section I-901 of Title 73 of the Louisiana Administrative Code, commercial vehicle owners who need license plates in the state may obtain license plates at any office of the Vehicle Registration Bureau of the Office of Motor Vehicles. For specific information on obtaining commercial license plates, contact:

Title Support and Information Section
Vehicle Registration Bureau
Department of Public Safety
P.O. Box 64886
Baton Rouge, LA 70896
Phone: (225) 925-6278

How Do I Get a License Plate in Louisiana?

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles issues standard number plates to vehicle owners after completing vehicle title and registrations with the Office. The following must be delivered or mailed to the OMV Headquarters to complete a title and registration for a new vehicle:

  • Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO). The Statement must be assigned from the dealer to the buyer. It must be notarized if the transfer of ownership occurs in another state that requires notarization.
  • Completed DPSMV 1799 Form (vehicle application form).
  • Original itemized invoice to the purchaser from the dealer, indicating a complete description of the vehicle sold, vehicle traded in, and the dealer's current permit number:
    • If either the statement of origin or the invoice is notarized and submitted, it will be accepted; otherwise, the invoice must be notarized if a tax credit or a trade vehicle is shown
    • If the transfer of ownership occurred in another state that does not require notarization; then notarization will not be required on the MSO or invoice
  • A completed and signed odometer disclosure agreement.
  • Properly completed financial statement (UCC-1 form), or other security agreement, if a lien is to be recorded. Either the original or copy of this form is acceptable. This form can be obtained from the dealer or other entity where financing was secured.
  • Payment for the applicable fees. Applicable fees are listed on the new vehicle title and registration page of the OMV website.
  • Photo identification (driver's license or identity card issued by the State of Louisiana or another state).
  • Evidence of liability insurance coverage (unless a licensed vehicle dealer is submitting the vehicle transfer).

Applications may also be processed in an OMV office or at a Public Tag Agent location.

To title used vehicles, the following are required:

  • Completed DPSMV 1799 Form.
  • Current certificate of title assigned before a notary by the seller to the buyer, with a properly released lien, if applicable. A notarized title, invoice, or bill of sale may also be provided.
  • If the vehicle is not exempt from odometer requirements and the back of the title does not include an Odometer Disclosure Statement, an additional Odometer Statement is required.
  • An authorized representative of a federally insured financial institution may witness assignment instead of a notary if:
    • A lien is being recorded at the time of ownership is transferred
    • The seller is present
    • A designation of authorized officers on the letterhead of the financial institution is provided as either an original document or photocopy
  • Original notarized invoice or bill of sale stating the actual consideration involved and complete description of the vehicle. If the submitted invoice is from a dealer, the full description of the trade-in vehicle and the current permit number of the dealer must be stated.
  • Completed financing statement (UCC-1 Form) or other security agreement if a lien is to be recorded.
  • Payment for the applicable fees. Applicable fees are listed on the used vehicle title and registration page of the OMV website.
  • Photo identification (driver's license or identity card issued by the State of Louisiana or another state).
  • Evidence of liability insurance coverage (unless a licensed vehicle dealer is submitting the vehicle transfer).

To obtain specialty license plates, visit the specialty plates page of the OMV website. You can view available plate options and submit a request online on the page. Note that special plate selections allow requesters to view applicable fees and print the required paperwork to be mailed to OMV for processing. The following are important for requesting specialty license plate in Louisiana:

  • The vehicle to which the plate will be affixed must be appropriately titled and registered in the applicant's name in the State of Louisiana.
  • Certain specialty plates have peculiar qualifications and eligibility requirements.
  • Fees for specialty license plates vary. The fee calculation option on the OMV website is only valid for regular license plates. Fee calculations are non-binding and may change for specialty plates.

Contact the Specialized Vehicle Unit for more information on obtaining specialty license plates at (225) 925-6278 or (225) 925-6146 for assistance.

You can also initiate a personalized plate request online using the personalized plate inquiry page of the OMV website. Personalized plates are issued on a first-come, first-serve basis. While a request plate may indicate availability on the inquiry portal, the plate may not be available for purchase until you have received an official confirmation from the OMV. Upon acceptance of an application for a personalized plate, the plate will be held for 2 weeks to receive the paperwork. A personalized license plate costs $25 per year in addition to the regular registration fee. An $8 handling fee and a $3.50 administrative fee will also be due.

To obtain mobility-impaired plates in Louisiana, the following are required by the OMV:

  • Completed DPSMV 1966 Form - Physician's Certification of Mobility Impairment Form. This form must be completed by the physician of the mobility impaired individual.
  • A completed DPSMV 1799 Form - Vehicle Application Form. The vehicle owner must complete this form.
  • The license plate and registration. This is valid if the vehicle is titled in the mobility impaired person's name and is currently registered.
  • A completed DPSMV 4222 Form - Designation of Mobility Impaired License Plate Form. This form is required if the plate is being used on a vehicle that is not in the name of the mobility impaired individual.
  • Proof of insurance.
  • A copy of the vehicle owner's current and valid photo identification. This is required if there is no license plate assigned to the vehicle at the time of application.
  • A $10 fee for a 2-year plate.
  • An $8 handling fee.
  • A parish fee of up to $6.

Note that only vehicles titled in Louisiana are eligible for issuance of mobility-impaired plates.

For more information on obtaining license plates in Louisiana, contact the Office of Motor Vehicles at:

7979 Independence Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Phone: (225) 925-6146

or by mail at:

Office of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 64886
Baton Rouge, LA 70896

How Can I Find the Owner of a License Plate in Louisiana?

Individuals interested in finding the owner of a Louisiana license plate may do so by using any license plate lookup tool that allows them to search public databases or motor vehicle records. However, personal information collected from motor vehicle registrations is not typically shared with the public pursuant to the Driver's Privacy Protection Act.

Still, it is possible to quickly establish a relationship between a Louisiana license plate and the number plate owner by cross-referencing the information retrieved from a license plate search with publicly available information found in other public records such as phone directories.

Third-party aggregate sites are a reliable alternative for obtaining license plate information. These sites are maintained by independent establishments which collate the information from government-run repositories. Obtaining records from these sites often proves substantially easier than government alternatives. However, requestors may be required to provide any information required to facilitate the record search and pay any required fees to access the record of interest.

Louisiana License Plate Renewal

To renew your license plate in Louisiana, you only need to renew your vehicle registration. You may complete renewals online by using your renewal identification number, found in the Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice received via mail, or by using the information found on the current vehicle registration certificate. Note that if your renewal notice does not have a renewal ID number, you are not eligible to renew vehicle registration online. For further information on how to proceed, contact the Office of Motor Vehicles at (225) 925-6146. To complete payment for the renewal fees, a valid credit card will be required. VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express is accepted. The renewal fee will include a service charge for electronic commerce in accordance with Section 49:316.1 of the Louisiana Revised Statute.

Can You Look Up License Plates with VIN?

Yes. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) are typically linked with license plates in motor vehicle records. Hence, the license plate number of a vehicle can be found via a license plate lookup if a VIN is known. In Louisiana, when vehicles are titled and registered by vehicle owners, the Office of Motor Vehicles stores and maintains vehicle information, including the VIN and the license plate, in a database. Persons seeking a vehicle license plate number in Louisiana may contact the state's OMV, which maintains public motor vehicle records.

VIN Number Lookup

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique 17-character number that specifically identifies a vehicle. A VIN lookup is a search in which a known vehicle identification number is entered into a lookup tool to get information on a vehicle. If you know the VIN, you can find out about thefts, serial equipment changes, odometer rollbacks, and crashes and accidents involving the vehicle.

To perform a VIN lookup, you must first determine the number. A VIN may be found in multiple locations in a vehicle. It may be located on the chassis plate, on the bottom left corner of the windshield, or in the trunk. The vehicle identification number may also be found on the spare tire or inside the driver's door. When looking to buy a used car, a VIN check may provide a wealth of information about the vehicle's history.

Can Civilians Lookup License Plates in Louisiana?

Civilians are allowed to use license plate lookups to access driver’s information in Louisiana. Drivers can make such requests online or by mail via the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV). Normally a driver cannot request another person’s records from the Louisiana OMV. In some cases, the driver can provide written authorization or a waiver from the subject for their records to be released. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections also responds to requests for driver records.

Louisiana Law LRS-R.S. 44.1 and the Federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act restrict the release of drivers’ confidential information. This includes addresses, phone numbers, social security, and other information considered confidential. However, the information can be released to a second party if they provide a waiver or written permission.

What Do Police See When They Run Your Plates in Louisiana?

The Louisiana Police will receive access to information regarding both the vehicle and its registered driver upon running a license plate. Information about the car usually pops up first giving its color, make, model, model year, VIN, and registered driver. The driver's name, address, and physical description are also available to the officers. The officers can also pull up the driver’s registration status and see if there are any safety alerts for the driver or vehicle. If necessary, the officers can pull up the driver’s criminal history and check for any outstanding warrants.

Access to this much information about an individual brings up the question of what is open to public view. The Louisiana public records law and the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act prohibit the release of a driver’s confidential information. Information such as addresses, phone numbers, or social security may be accessed by the police for investigative purposes. However, outside an investigation, this information cannot be released to the public by the police.

Free License Plate Lookup in Louisiana

To perform a free license plate lookup in Louisiana, contact the record sections in the Department of Public Safety and Corrections and the Office of Motor Vehicles. However, using these resources is not free of charge.

Free options exist in the form of third-party license plate lookup search engines and websites. These sites are free of charge and offer easily accessible information searches via license plate lookup. These free sites collate information from government resources and archive them on their websites. It should however be noted that information from such sources may not be up-to-date or accurate.

How to Search for Ticket by License Plate in Louisiana

The Office of Motor Vehicles provides options to request personal records using driver's licenses and other information including license plates. This process can be completed online or by mail. It should be noted that requesting another driver’s records is possible but will require written authorization. To make any inquiries drivers may use the Contact Form on the OMV website. Drivers can also call the Louisiana OMV at (504) 483-1870 with any questions.