Question 1

What is a Public Tag Agent?

Accepted Answer

A Public Tag Agent (PTA) is very similar to an OMV office, in that both do title transfers, issue plates, issue driver's licenses and renew registrations.

Question 2

What do I need to bring to transfer my title (sale)?

Accepted Answer

·  Louisiana Title (Notarized)
·  Notarized Bill of Sale (If back of title is on 2nd or 3rd assignment)
·  Valid Louisiana Driver’s License or ID
·  If vehicle has a Lien being recorded you must present copy of UCC-1 or Security Agreement
·  Cash (We currently only accept cash)
* If the vehicle title is not a Louisiana title, the seller’s out of state driver’s license must be submitted as proof of residency.  If the seller is a resident of Louisiana with an out-of-state title, he/she must first title the vehicle in Louisiana before it can be sold.

Question 3

What do I need to transfer a title (donation)?

Accepted Answer

·  Louisiana Title (Notarized)
·  Notarized Act of Donation
·  Valid Louisiana Driver’s License or ID
·  Louisiana Law does not allow for recording of Lien while processing an Act of Donation.
·  Cash (We currently only accept cash)

Question 4

How much will it cost to transfer my title?

Accepted Answer

This is by far the most popular question so we want top stress that every situation is different.  That being said, a good rule of thumb is that the taxes you pay will be .11% of the total amount you paid for the vehicle, plus our charges (also known as the convenience fee usually between $32-$70) and then any notary charges if the paperwork requires it. So if you paid $5000 for the vehicle, your tax, title and license fee will be somewhere near $650. Again different circumstances cause different totals in the end, things such as, late transferring the title (holding it for awhile without transferring it to your name) which will cause penalties and interest to accrue,  any previous owners penalties, and excessive vehicle weights are examples of factors that may cause the price to rise.  If you are doing an Act of Donation (aod) and the vehicle is  a basic car or suv, and your aod is already notarized it should be $136.50.  Please just use this as a ballpark reference, it is very hard to get estimates exactly right until all of the paperwork has been reviewed.

Question 5

How long do I have to register my vehicle after purchase?

Accepted Answer

You have 40 days from the date of purchase to register it with no penalties & interest.  After 40 days the penalty is 5% every 30 days on the taxes with a maximum of 25%.  Interest is 1.25% every 30 days with no maximum.

Question 6

Can I purchase a License Plate here?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All you need to be able to purchase a plate is, your current driver’s license and unless the vehicle is a trailer you need to bring proof of liability insurance coverage for the vehicle you want a plate for. For trailers proof of insurance is not necessary. You can still transfer your title without having liability insurance if you do not want a plate. Some people use that option when they do not plan on driving the vehicle for a period of time, or when they want to quickly sell a vehicle they have purchased from someone else. They then receive the title in 7-10 days and now that it is in their name, they can legally sell it, and insurance was not necessary to facilitate the process.

Question 7

Is a Notary required at the time of sale?

Accepted Answer

Yes, however if a vehicle is sold and a notary is not able to be present at the time of sale, two people must sign as witnesses to the sale on the back of the title, then one of the witnesses must appear before our notary to sign an “Affidavit by Witness”. Documents notarized outside our office are also acceptable.

Kaplan
(337)643-6433

Lafayette
(337)443-9900

Commonly asked questions