Louisiana license plates are more than just vehicle identifiers; they involve administrative rules, personal expression, and legal duties. All plates, standard or personalized, must follow state regulations. Understanding these rules, from getting a plate to customizing it and knowing the penalties for non-compliance, is important for Louisiana vehicle owners.
Plate Code Issuance Requirements
To operate a vehicle on Louisiana roads, you need to register it with the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV), which will issue a license plate. Requirements include proof of ownership, such as a certificate of title or a manufacturer’s statement of origin for new vehicles.
Applicants must also provide proof of Louisiana residency using documents like a state driver’s license, utility bills, or a lease agreement. Proof of liability insurance meeting state minimums is also mandatory for registration, as per Louisiana Revised Statute 32:861.1Louisiana State Legislature. RS 32:861 – Security Required Once issued, the registration certificate must always be kept in the vehicle or with the driver.
Personalized Code Requests
Louisiana vehicle owners can request personalized license plates from the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV). This option allows for custom letter and number combinations but requires a specific application and additional fees.2Justia Law. RS 47:463.2 – Special Personalized Prestige License Plates for Passenger Vehicles
To apply, individuals must complete an OMV application form, suggesting their desired plate message and some alternatives.3Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections. Form DPSMV1619 – Personalized Plate Application The OMV has the authority to issue these plates and set the fees. All requests undergo OMV approval and a search to prevent duplicates. Approval is not guaranteed, and the review process can take time.
Prohibited or Offensive Codes
While personalization is an option, the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) can deny requests for inappropriate messages to maintain public standards.4Louisiana Division of Administration. Louisiana Administrative Code Title 55, Part III, Chapter 1 – Motor Vehicles (Including Personalized Plate Rules §159)
Plates may be rejected if the message is considered offensive, vulgar, or indecent. Prohibited combinations include those that are obscene, sexually suggestive, or profane. The OMV evaluates requests based on public perception, not just the applicant’s intent.
Messages showing contempt or ridicule based on race, religion, or ethnic heritage are also forbidden. Codes that are misleading or look like official law enforcement or government designations are disallowed to prevent confusion.
Enforcement and Verification Methods
Louisiana license plate laws are enforced in several ways. Law enforcement officers perform visual checks during patrols and traffic stops, ensuring plates are securely attached to the vehicle’s rear, clearly visible, and not obstructed. Problems like unreadable plates or expired registration stickers can lead to more checks.
Officers can verify a plate’s status by accessing the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) database. Many patrol vehicles have systems for real-time lookups, providing details on registration, theft reports, and vehicle matches, helping to find improperly registered or misused plates.
Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) systems also assist. These systems, on police vehicles or in fixed locations, scan plates and compare them against databases for vehicles linked to warrants, theft, or expired registrations. ALPR information is checked with OMV records before any action is taken.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Not following Louisiana’s license plate and registration laws leads to various penalties. Late payment of the registration license tax results in increasing penalties and interest.5Louisiana Department of Revenue. Penalties for Late Tax Payment Operating a vehicle without current registration can also lead to civil penalties.
Driving an unregistered vehicle can be a misdemeanor, with first-offense penalties including fines up to $175 and imprisonment for up to thirty days.6Louisiana State Legislature. RS 47:536 – Violations of Registration Provisions Penalties increase for repeat offenses. Improperly displaying a license plate—such as not being securely attached to the rear, unreadable, or obscured—can also result in civil fines.7Louisiana State Legislature. RS 32:53 – Proper Equipment Required on Vehicles; Display of Plate
More serious violations involve misusing or altering license plates. Using a plate on the wrong vehicle, or using an altered, forged, or counterfeit plate, is a misdemeanor punishable by fines and imprisonment. Forging a registration certificate, license plate, or validation sticker also carries fines or imprisonment.8Louisiana State Legislature. RS 14:72.2 – Monetary Instrument Abuse
Refusing to surrender a suspended, revoked, or canceled license plate to the OMV is illegal and can lead to fines and imprisonment. Driving with a known suspended, revoked, or canceled registration or plate has even stricter consequences. A first offense can result in fines from $125 to $500 and mandatory imprisonment of seven days to six months, with more severe penalties for subsequent offenses, including potential jail time.
Expiration and Renewal Obligations
Louisiana license plates must be renewed periodically. Standard vehicle registrations are valid for two years, and the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) sends renewal notices before expiration. Some vehicles, such as certain commercial or leased vehicles and larger trucks, need annual renewal.9Louisiana State Legislature. RS 47:508 – Period of Registration; Issuance of License Plates Motorcycle registrations can be valid for four years.
Renewal can be completed online via the OMV’s ExpressLane portal, by mail, or in person.10Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. OMV ExpressLane Portal For renewal, you will need your renewal notice or current registration, proof of current Louisiana liability insurance, and payment for the fee. State law requires liability insurance for all registered vehicles, and this proof is needed for renewal.
A valid motor vehicle inspection sticker is also required for registration renewal. If a vehicle’s inspection is expired, renewal cannot be processed until a valid inspection is obtained. Owners should keep their address updated with the OMV to receive notices and prevent issues.