Vehicle license or registration - Louisiana

License plate display

Louisiana issues one license plate to be displayed on the rear of the vehicle. However, any truck with a gross vehicle weight in excess of 10,000 pounds or any dump truck may display the license plate on either the front or the rear (dump truck refers to any truck with a bed that raises to dump a load).

A permanent registration plate may be placed on the rear fender of a vehicle, as long as it is facing to the rear of the vehicle.

Plates must placed at least 12 inches from the ground.

International Registration Plan

Louisiana is a member of the International Registration Plan (IRP). The IRP is a base state system for vehicle registration fees, allowing a carrier to apply for vehicle registration and pay fees to a single jurisdiction.

The IRP provides for all carriers from participating states, operating as a fleet to prorate fees. The IRP defines a fleet as one or more vehicles operating in one or more member jurisdictions, with two or more axles having a gross vehicle weight in excess of 26,000 pounds; or is a power unit having three or more axles regardless of weight; or is used in combination, when the weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.

An apportioned logo license plate is a plate imprinted with a registered trademark or copyrighted logo that can be issued to trucks, tandem trucks, truck-tractors, semitrailers, or trailers that are owned and operated by a Louisiana-based commercial trucking company that is affiliated with the registered trademark or copyrighted logo. Apportioned logo plates are available to carriers with a fleet of 25 or more vehicles. The plates carry a one-time fee, which is in addition to apportioned fees and replacement plate fees.

Temporary Permit: IRP temporary permits may be issued for a 30-day period to IRP accounts in good standing. Vehicles must be registered in Louisiana prior to issuance of the temporary permit. Permits are valid for a specific vehicle and may not be transferred. Unused temporary permits must be returned within five days of issuance; if not returned, registrant is held accountable for all fees due.

Hunter's Permit: A hunter’s permit is available to an owner-operator when the lease is terminated. Owner-operators requesting the permit must be sure that the truck is titled in Louisiana, the truck displays a certificate of inspection and approval, they have satisfactory proof of insurance with the required limits of liability, and they have a copy of the latest cab card and registration certificate or certificate of title. The hunter’s permit is non-transferable and valid for operation at unladen weight only with a power unit and trailer. There is no fee for the 30-day permit.

Agency: Department of Public Safety; see Regulatory Agencies for address(es).