The procedures and approach for selling a car online vary by state. Discover how to sell your used car or truck in Louisiana confidentially.
If you reside in Greater New Orleans, Cajun Country, Plantation Country, Sportsman's Paradise, or the Crossroads of Louisiana and want to sell your used car or truck privately, you've come to the perfect location. It's no surprise that with over 1.4 million registered trucks and vehicles in Louisiana, thousands of individual vehicle sellers in the Bayou State have chosen Autotrader to sell their vehicles. We've explained the five stages and documents required to sell a car in Louisiana so you can sell your vehicle quickly and for the most money.
Remember that most states regard the transfer the car title as a legal document, so use the legal names (no nicknames) of both individuals involved, as well as legible handwriting in black or blue ink. Mistakes or typos may render the document null and worthless, so be cautious and take your time filling it out. Also, avoid using White-Out, which might invalidate the document.
Step 1: Allow the buyer to have a third party assess the vehicle
Many private automobile buyers pay for a pre-purchase vehicle check performed by a skilled and certified auto technician of their choice. Although the buyer pays for the inspection, the seller and buyer must agree on the date and location of the inspection. If the inspection reveals any problems with the vehicle, you should save the report for your records as the seller. Although Louisiana does not require this inspection and there are no documents to fill out, it is a good idea for the buyer to have the inspection completed prior to the purchase.
Step 2: Organize and collect all vehicle papers
Find all maintenance records, the owner's manual, and other vehicle-related papers. If you can offer the buyer thorough and detailed maintenance records, this will give the buyer confidence that you've maintained the automobile in an appropriate and regular manner. You should also think about providing a car history record from a provider like CarFax or AutoCheck. In certain situations, you can get electronic records from your technician - most likely if you've taken the automobile to a new car dealer for regular repair. Paperwork Required Before Selling Your Car: Everything You Need to Know About.
The title certificate is the most critical document to have when selling an automobile. If a lien exists on the title, the lienholder must release interest in the vehicle before it may be sold. This can be performed either by the seller paying off the automobile or by the lienholder obtaining a letter of lien release. If you can't pay off the automobile, then a lien release statement from your lienholder along with Vehicle Application Form DPSMV 1799 must be presented to the OMV with a price of $68.50 plus a handling fee (typically $8, but it varies by office).
Step 3: Fill out a Notice of Transfer of Vehicle
Louisiana mandates that a Notice of Transfer of Vehicle (Form DPSMV 1697) be filled out and filed with the state OMV for private automobile sales. This document requires car information such as the VIN, year, make, model, and license number. It also demands information about the seller, like your name, address, and driver's license number. Then, check the box indicating whether it was sold, donated, or exchanged, and fill out the buyer's name and address, the sales price, the date of the transaction, and lastly, the seller's signature. You may either mail this form to the address at the top of the form or submit a notification of vehicle transfer online. It is important to note that the transfer of registration does not occur until the buyer brings the title to the OMV and has it registered in their name.
Depending on the model year of your vehicle, you may be required to complete an Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form DPSMV 1606). This necessitates documents and signatures from both the buyer and seller demonstrating that all parties agree on the mileage of the car being sold.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA of Louisiana) odometer disclosure standards for private car sales in Louisiana were revised in December 2020: Any vehicle of the model year 2011 or newer (2012, 2013, etc.) that is transferred between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2030, will require an odometer disclosure. Beginning January 1, 2031, every vehicle less than 20 model years old will be required to have an odometer disclosure. Previously, the NHTSA-mandated disclosure was for only the first 10 years. Cars manufactured before 2010 are exempt from odometer disclosures.
Step 4: Transfer the Title
If the vehicle's title has been lost, stolen, or significantly damaged, you can get a replacement/duplicate Louisiana title by completing Form DPSMV 1799 and the Duplicate Title Affidavit. With that form filled out, plus a $68.50 cost and a handling fee, you may receive a duplicate title.
When selling an automobile privately in Louisiana, the buyer and the seller both need to fill out the applicable sections on the back of the title. This information comprises the legal name, address, and signature of the buyer and the seller(s), together with the date of the transaction, the odometer reading, and the purchase price. When this is filled out correctly and legibly, the buyer can easily transfer registration and obtain a new plate. If the title shows more than one owner, the following number of signatures will be required based on the link between the names: And - the people named must sign. Alternatively, either vendor can sign; just one signature is necessary. Alternatively, both vendors must sign. Alternatively, both vendors must sign. If no connection is specified, the default will be 'and,' and all owners (sellers) must sign.
In the state of Louisiana, the seller is obliged to sign the title in the presence of a notary. If you're not sure where to find a notary, you may discover a local Louisiana notary by name or zip code here. The buyer then takes the issued title, evidence of Louisiana insurance, their ID, and money for fees and any taxes to their local OMV office, where ownership of the car is transferred.
If you want to donate a car or transfer a title to a relative, follow the identical steps explained here. It's a little more tricky with inherited autos. You'll need a copy of the death certificate, a copy of the will, and maybe an Affidavit of Heirship, which is Form DPSMV 1696 if you're receiving an automobile. Finally, if you're wondering how to transfer a car title from a dead owner in Louisiana, see the FAQ section of this website.
Step 5: Take off your license plates and cancel your insurance
The seller must remove their license plates before passing the car over to the buyer. If you do not, you may be held accountable for any infractions that occur after the buyer takes ownership of the car. After the transaction is completed, you may cancel your license plate with the Louisiana OMV online. You can either destroy your license plates, return them to your local OMV office, or ship them to the address below:
Office of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 64886
Baton Rouge, LA 70896
Make sure you cancel your insurance as soon as possible following the sale so you don't have to pay to insure a car you no longer own.
For further information, go to the website of Louisiana's Office of Motor Vehicles.
The Easier Way to Sell Your Car
Now that you've learned everything there is to know about selling a car in Louisiana, it's time to determine where to list it. Selling your car is simple with Cashforcars, Inc. With ready-to-sign state documentation, encrypted chat, and more, our platform provides all the tools and recommendations you need to make the transaction a breeze.
