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Louisiana Guide

How to Gift a Car in Louisiana

Last verified: October 2026 against Louisiana OMV and LDR sources

In Louisiana, a car given as a gift is transferred by an act of donation, signed before a notary and two witnesses. No sales or use tax is due on an act of donation.

Here is how to transfer a donated car.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Complete the act of donation

    Fill out the Act of Donation form (DPSMV1699) in its entirety and sign it before a notary and two witnesses. No money changes hands.

  2. 2

    Assign the title before a notary

    The giver assigns the current title to you before a notary, with any lien released.

  3. 3

    Complete the vehicle application

    You complete and sign the Vehicle Application (DPSMV1799), and add an odometer statement if required.

  4. 4

    Add ID and insurance for a plate

    For a plate, include a copy of your driver’s license or ID card and proof of current liability insurance.

  5. 5

    Pay the fees

    No sales tax is due on the act of donation, but the title fee, handling fee, and plate fee still apply.

Other transfers with no sales or use tax

  • Transfer by an affidavit of heirship
  • Transfer by a divorce decree
  • Transfer by a judgment of possession

What to bring

  • Act of Donation (DPSMV1699), notarized, with two witnesses
  • The current title, assigned before a notary
  • Vehicle Application (DPSMV1799), signed by you
  • Odometer statement, if required
  • Copy of your ID and proof of insurance, for a plate
  • Payment for the title, handling, and plate fees

Estimate your Louisiana costs

For a donation, enter $0 as the price. The calculator then shows the title fees and the minimum two-year plate.

Open the full Louisiana calculator

Vehicle & Transaction Details

Enter purchase information to calculate true out-of-pocket costs in Louisiana.

51 Jurisdictions Active
Louisiana 5% tax base
$
7 years old
Louisiana tag options
2-Year Term (Louisiana registers for two years)
EV surcharge rules
Lien fee: $10.00
Louisiana: Non-Deductible
$

Louisiana Notice: Louisiana taxes the full agreed vehicle price. Trade-ins do not reduce the tax base on private-party sales.

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Estimated taxes & fees

Estimated taxes & fees

Jurisdiction

Louisiana

Estimated taxes & fees
$1,156.50 – $2,131.50

Sales/Excise Tax (State + Local Range) + Title Certificate + Tags & Registration

Itemized Line ItemEstimated Fee
1Vehicle Sales / Excise Tax (5% State + Local Range)

State tax $750.00 + Local tax (varies by county) $300.00–$1,275.00

$1,050.00 – $2,025.00
2Certificate of Title Fee

Standard state title certificate issuance

$76.50
3Lien / Security Filing Fee

Unfinanced / cash purchase (waived $0.00)

$0.00
4Registration & Tag Fee

Base license plates & tags

$30.00

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Louisiana rates last verified: October 2026
Official Notice & Statutory Disclaimers

Estimates only, not tax or legal advice. Verify with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) or the Louisiana Department of Revenue.

Sales tax is the 5% state rate plus parish and municipal tax (2% to 8.5%) where the vehicle is domiciled, due by the 40th day after the sale.

The title shown includes the $68.50 title fee and $8 handling fee. A local fee of up to $6 may apply.

The plate is 0.1% of the sale price per year, with a $10,000 minimum value, sold for two years ($20 minimum). A motorcycle plate is $12 and lasts four years.

Electric vehicles owe a $110 road usage fee and hybrids $60 for each year, billed later by notice.

The title assignment must be signed before a notary.

Louisiana’s sources do not say whether its electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid fees apply to motorcycles, so the estimate leaves them out for a motorcycle. Confirm with the Office of Motor Vehicles.

County & Local Tax Note: Louisiana’s 5% state sales tax plus parish and municipal tax, from 2% to 8.5% in the OMV parish tax table (October 2026), is due based on where the vehicle is domiciled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this Louisiana OMV and LDR process.

No. Sales and use tax is not due on an act of donation signed before a notary and two witnesses.

Sources

Last verified: October 2026. Rules change, so check with Louisiana OMV and LDR before you go.

More Louisiana guides

How to Title a Private Car Sale in LouisianaThe notarized title, state and parish tax, and the 40-day deadline.Titling a Car in Louisiana After Moving From Another StateThe out-of-state declaration, the $90 use tax limit, and fees.
Louisiana Private Party Car Tax Calculator