Vehicle registration requirements - 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.

Motor vehicles that qualify for apportionment consist of the following:

• A power unit having two axles and a gross vehicle weight (GVW) or registered weight in excess of 26,000 pounds;
• A power unit having three or more axles, regardless of weight; or
• A unit used in combination when the weight of such combination exceeds a GVW or 26,000 pounds.

Temporary permit: A carrier may apply for Louisiana temporary registration authority (TRA) to add or delete a vehicle, increase or decrease a vehicle weight, or to replace a license plate or cab card. Once a TRA has been issued, the carrier is required to complete the registration process for the vehicle indicated on the TRA within 60 days. The TRA must be carried at all times and is nontransferable.

Hunter's or unladen weight permit: A hunter’s permit is available to an owner-operator when the lease is terminated and the apportioned plate and cab card are surrendered to the carrier/lessee. The hunter’s permit is nontransferable and valid for operation at unladen weight only with a power unit and trailer. There is no fee for the 30-day permit.

Agency: Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of Motor Vehicles.

Fees: Once the application is processed, a billing notice listing the fees due may be mailed, faxed, or emailed to you. After verifying all information shown on the billing notice, mail a copy of the billing notice and your payment to the address provided. All payments must be submitted in the form of certified funds, such as a cashier's check, money order, certified check, or cash. Once the payment is received by the Louisiana IRP staff, new credentials will be emailed to you, unless you request delivery via the USPS.