Louisiana motorcycle title transfer guide
Everything you need to sell a motorcycle privately in Louisiana — title transfer process, bill of sale requirements, sales tax, and step-by-step instructions.
Notary required
Yes
Sales tax
4.45%
Smog check
Not required
Bill of sale
Required
Notary required in Louisiana
Louisiana requires notarized signatures for motorcycle title transfers. Visit a notary at your bank, a UPS Store, or use a mobile notary service. Both buyer and seller should be present. Do not sign the title until you are in front of the notary.
Louisiana motorcycle sale notes
Louisiana requires a notarized Act of Sale (bill of sale) for all vehicle transfers, including motorcycles. Without notarization, the title transfer will be rejected. Sales tax of 4.45% applies; local parish taxes commonly bring the total to 9–10%.
Step-by-step: selling your motorcycle in Louisiana
- 1
Check the title is clear
Run a lien check before listing your motorcycle in Louisiana. Buyers will check, and a clean title is required to transfer ownership. Contact your lender if you still owe money — you will need a lien release letter.
- 2
Gather your paperwork
You will need: the original title, a valid government-issued ID, and a completed bill of sale (required in Louisiana). Check that the name on the title matches your ID exactly.
- 3
Price and list your motorcycle
Use NADA Guides or Kelley Blue Book Moto to establish your private-party value. List on Cycle Trader and Craigslist with 10–15 clear photos. Price within 5% of market value for serious buyer interest.
- 4
Screen buyers and arrange a safe meetup
Meet in a public location during daylight hours. Bring a friend if possible. Verify the buyer has valid ID before allowing a test ride. Confirm in advance that the buyer has cash, a cashier's check, or a verified wire transfer ready.
- 5
Complete the bill of sale
Include: VIN, year/make/model, odometer reading, sale price, "as-is" language, date of sale, and both parties' signatures and contact information. In Louisiana, the bill of sale must be notarized — both parties should visit a notary together.
- 6
Sign and notarize the title
Louisiana requires the seller's signature on the title to be notarized. Visit a notary (banks, UPS Store, or a mobile notary app) with both parties present. Do not sign the title until you are in front of the notary.
- 7
Collect payment
Accept cash, a cashier's check (verify it with the issuing bank before handing over the title), or a confirmed bank wire. Personal checks carry significant fraud risk — avoid them. Hand over the title only after payment clears.
- 8
File with the DMV
Notify your Louisiana DMV of the sale immediately — this protects you from liability if the buyer gets a ticket or is in an accident before re-registering. The buyer has a limited window to transfer the title into their name.
- 9
Cancel your insurance
Do not cancel insurance until after the sale is complete and payment has cleared. Once you have confirmed the buyer has the title and payment is final, contact your insurer to cancel the policy or reassign it to your next motorcycle.
Useful resources
This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Requirements in Louisiana may change — always verify current rules with the Louisiana DMV before completing a private motorcycle sale.