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Louisiana Motorcycle Registration & Title Laws

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This page will cover the street legal requirements and registration and title process in Louisiana and provide some tips on how to register if you bought the motorcycle without a title.

Learn more about motorcycle title transfers in Louisiana.

Louisiana Title & Inspection Requirements for Used Motorcycles

  • Does Louisiana have a motorcycle inspection requirement?
    • Periodic safety inspection required.
  • Does Louisiana require VIN Inspections for motorcycles bought out of state?
    • Not required.
  • Does Louisiana require a title for old motorcycles?
    • All motorcycles require a title.

How to Title and Register a Motorcycle in Louisiana

To register and title your motorcycle in Louisiana, you’ll need the following:

  • Signed title.
    • Bill of sale and old registration if bought in a state that doesn’t issue titles.
    • Notarized affidavit from previous owner certifying they are not an LA resident if the Bill of sale or out of state title is not notarized.
  • Bill of Sale.
  • Registration and title fees and sales tax.
  • Vehicle Application form

Find more information about Louisiana motorcycle registration and registration renewal.

Notarization Required on the following documents in Louisiana:

  • Bill of sale
  • Title

Register a Motorcycle with No Title in Louisiana

If you bought a motorcycle without a title, you can try to do the following:

Option 1: Bikes from LA

Before sale is complete, ask previous owner to get a duplicate title:

Learn how to replace a lost motorcycle title in Louisiana.

Option 2: Bikes from out of state

If the motorcycle was bought in a state that requires motorcycle titles:

Option 3: Register in a No-Title State

Register the bike in a non-title, no residency requirement, mail-in registration application state, such as Vermont.

Louisiana Street Legal Motorcycle Equipment Requirements

Street legal motorcycles in Louisiana must have:

  • Left side rearview mirror.
  • Handlebar grips no higher than shoulder height.
  • Passenger footrests when riding with passengers.
  • Turn signals.
  • Speedometer and odometer.

Learn more about street legal motorcycle requirements.


This information was correct at the time of writing it, but state laws are subject to change.

More Louisiana Motorcycle Resources

5 thoughts on “Louisiana Motorcycle Registration & Title Laws”

  1. I have a Motorcycle with a title from the previous owner, the title will be notarized.
    I dont have a bill of sale because it was a trade.
    Can I still register it?

  2. Hi i bought a moped outside the us and bringing it to Louisiana and i trying to grt omates and tittle tranfer but the vin the currently on the bike is only an 11 nunber vin not a 17 how can i tranfer and get plates

    1. motorcyclezombies

      If it’s an older bike (pre 1981), it may have a VIN with less than 17 characters. Assuming you have the necessary documentation (title/MCO that matches the VIN, customs documents, Bill of Sale, etc.), you should be okay.

  3. I have a friend who has a motorcycle that was in a barn for 10 years does no title and it runs good how can I get it legal we don’t know who the title belong to who has the title anyway

    1. motorcyclezombies

      You can try going through Louisiana’s process for registering an untitled bike – this may require a Statement of Facts, a VIN inspection, and some applications. If that doesn’t work, you could look into first registering it in Vermont.

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Content Editor: Ethan Orenstein

Ethan is not just any motorcycle enthusiast. With a decade of experience riding, maintaining, and restoring a range of motorcycles, Ethan brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. Many of the tips and tricks shared on this site are born from hours spent wrenching on personal bikes. Paired with his experience as a journalist covering DMV & insurance topics, MotorcycleZombies.com is a must-visit site for any home-mechanic. Every article has been carefully reviewed and edited to ensure accuracy, authenticity, and simplicity - all to help bring your bike back from the dead and onto the road.

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