Louisiana Vehicle Bill of Sale

Why is Louisiana different from other states?

Louisiana is the only U.S. state whose private law is based on the French civil law tradition rather than English common law. This affects vehicle sales in two concrete ways: the bill of sale is formally a "sale of a movable" under Louisiana Civil Code, and the seller's warranty obligations are governed by the doctrine of redhibition (Civil Code Articles 2520–2548) rather than the Uniform Commercial Code. Private-party vehicle sales in Louisiana also require notarization — a requirement most other states do not impose.

Is a bill of sale required to sell a car in Louisiana?

A separate bill of sale is not required if the selling price is recorded on the title assignment and the title is signed before a notary. However, if the price is not on the title, the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) requires an original notarized bill of sale or invoice specifying the actual consideration and a full description of the vehicle. In practice, preparing a notarized bill of sale for every private-party sale is standard because it creates an independent record of the transaction terms and protects both parties.

The buyer must take the notarized title, notarized bill of sale (if needed), proof of Louisiana liability insurance, and a completed Vehicle Application (Form DPSMV 1799) to an OMV office or authorized Public Tag Agent within 40 days of the sale to register the vehicle.

Does a Louisiana bill of sale need to be notarized?

Yes. Louisiana requires the title assignment and any bill of sale for a private-party vehicle sale to be signed in the physical presence of a commissioned Louisiana notary public. Both the buyer and seller must appear before the notary together — the notary must witness both signatures. This is one of the strictest notarization requirements of any state. An exception exists for transactions involving Louisiana-licensed vehicle dealers: as of January 1, 2023, dealer sales no longer require notarization of the title, bill of sale, or MSO.

What is redhibition and why does it matter?

Redhibition is a Louisiana civil law doctrine that allows a buyer to return a purchased item — or demand a reduction in price — if it has a hidden defect that existed at the time of sale (Louisiana Civil Code Article 2520). Unlike the common-law "as-is" concept used in other states, redhibition creates a default warranty that the seller must actively waive. Under Article 2548, the parties may agree to exclude or limit the warranty against redhibitory defects, but the waiver must be clear and unambiguous and must be brought to the attention of the buyer.

For a private vehicle sale, this means a generic "as-is" clause may not be sufficient. The bill of sale should include an explicit redhibition waiver stating that the buyer waives all rights under Civil Code Articles 2520 through 2548, that the waiver has been explained to the buyer, and that the buyer has voluntarily consented. Without this language, a seller could be held liable for hidden mechanical defects for up to four years after the sale (Article 2534).

What information does a Louisiana vehicle bill of sale need to include?

The OMV requires the bill of sale to contain a full description of the vehicle (year, make, model, VIN, color, body type), the names and addresses of the buyer and seller, the actual sale price, and the date of sale. Federal odometer disclosure (49 CFR §580.5) is required for vehicles less than 20 model years old and must appear on the title assignment or a supplemental odometer statement if the title does not include an odometer disclosure section. The notary's stamp and signature must appear on the document.

What taxes and fees apply?

Louisiana imposes a 4.45% state sales tax on private vehicle sales, plus additional parish and municipal taxes that vary by location and can bring the combined rate above 10% in some parishes. The OMV or Public Tag Agent collects the tax at the time of title transfer. If the stated price appears below fair market value, the OMV may assess tax based on the NADA Official Used Car Guide value instead. Title and registration fees are separate from sales tax.

What should the seller do after the sale?

The seller should file a Notice of Transfer (Form DPSMV 1697) with the OMV within 15 days of the sale. This creates an official record that the vehicle has been transferred and limits the seller's liability for the buyer's actions after the sale date. The seller must also remove their license plates before delivering the vehicle — Louisiana plates belong to the owner, not the vehicle.