LAWS AND REGULATIONS ENFORCED CONCURRENTLY WITH OTHER AGENCIES Vehicle Registration and Licensing
General Information
Commercial vehicle owners who need license plates which are full-plated for Louisiana and non-commercial vehicle owners may obtain license plates at any district office of the Vehicle Registration Bureau (of the Office of Motor Vehicles, Department of Public Safety). If additional detailed information is needed, it may be obtained from the:
Title Registration Unit
Vehicle Registration Bureau
Department of Public Safety
P. O. Box 64886
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70896
(225) 925-6278
Commercial vehicle owners who need license plates which are apportioned for other states may obtain applications for apportioned plates at any district office of the Vehicle Registration Bureau (of the Office of Motor Vehicles, Department of Public Safety). Applications must be mailed to Baton Rouge, and additional information can be obtained from the:
Prorate Section
Vehicle Registration Bureau
Department of Public Safety
P. O. Box 64886
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70896
(225) 925-6270
Common and contract carriers must purchase appropriate plates; however, they must first be licensed with the Louisiana Public Service Commission.
The following vehicles are exempt from vehicle registration and licensing:
1. Farm tractors, self-propelled farm equipment, and two (2)- and four (4)-wheeled, rubber-tired farm wagons or trailer of up to two (2)-ton capacity if the vehicles are used only in farming.
2. Trackless trolley coaches, buses or passenger coaches or passenger carrying trailers or semi-trailers which are operated only within the corporate limits of a municipality, of two (2) adjoining municipalities or up to 1/2 mile from the corporate limits.
3. Oversize or overweight self-propelled motor cranes used only for heavy construction by the building and utility industries.
4. Oversize or overweight self-propelled oil well or gas well pulling units used only for servicing oil or gas wells on off-road property.
5. Road rollers and road machinery only temporarily moved on highways.
6. Log loaders used only for loading logs.
A vehicle must have Louisiana plates or Louisiana apportioned plates if the residence or employment or the owner or lessee is in Louisiana.
Non-Residents regularly employed or regularly operating a business in Louisiana for 30 days or more must obtain Louisiana plates or plates apportioned for Louisiana on all vehicles used or based in Louisiana unless the vehicles are being operated under reciprocal agreements between Louisiana and the non-resident’s home state.
Louisiana license plates must be attached to the front or the rear of the vehicle. The plate may not swing, must be clearly readable and the bottom of the plate must be at least 12 inches from the ground.
The registration certificate issued to a vehicle must at all times be carried in the vehicle and be subject to inspection by a State Police Officer, Weights and Standards Police Officer or Department of Public Safety Motor Vehicle Enforcement Officer.
Mobile Homes
1. A mobile home being moved from a point of origin in Louisiana or any other point, whether in Louisiana or out-of-state, must have a valid Louisiana registration certificate.
2. Mobile homes traveling to or through Louisiana are exempt from Louisiana registration if they are properly registered in their home state.
3. Mobile homes being delivered by manufacturers to dealers are not required to be licensed, but an “IN-TRANSIT” sign must be displayed on the mobile homes.
Escort Vehicles
1. Escort vehicles must be registered in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statutes or Reciprocal Agreements.
2. Louisiana domiciled automobiles used as escort vehicles must be commercially registered.
3. Registrations for escort vehicles which are properly registered in other states will be accepted by Louisiana through reciprocal agreement.
4. Companies domiciled outside Louisiana must pay a $10.00 annual fee for each escort permit and decal.
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