How to sell a car in Louisiana privately

Arrange notarized assignment and notify OMV

Louisiana OMV's used-vehicle requirements call for the current title assigned by the seller to the purchaser before a notary, with any lien properly released. Arrange the required signing and release before promising a same-day closing. See Louisiana OMV's used-title requirements.

OMV provides a Notice of Vehicle Transfer service to flag the vehicle's disposition on its record. Louisiana's transfer-notice law calls for written notice within fifteen days. The report and the buyer's completed ownership transfer are different steps; retain your notice confirmation and copies of the signed records. Follow Louisiana's Notice of Vehicle Transfer. See Louisiana's transfer-notice statute.

Plan the Louisiana closing appointment

Ask OMV or the public tag agent about title assignment, the plate and insurance sequence and any lender documents. Put the notary visit and transfer notice in the same written closing plan so neither is lost among payment and pickup arrangements.

If a lender still has an interest in the car, ask it for the payoff amount, payment instructions and release timing before accepting a closing date. Use our selling a car with a loan guide to prepare those questions. For inherited, leased or branded-title vehicles, obtain the instructions for that situation before using an ordinary private-sale checklist.

Set a price and prepare a useful listing

Compare vehicles with the same trim, similar mileage, condition and title history. Keep private asking prices separate from confirmed dealer offers, then subtract your payoff and selling costs to compare what you could keep. Our private-sale pricing guide explains the comparison.

Use current photographs of your own car. Include the odometer, interior and known damage, and describe maintenance you can document. State the actual city, mileage, asking price and known faults. Keep identification, title photos and financial documents out of the public ad. Use the car-sale photo checklist before posting.

Agree on payment and lawful collection

Ask your own financial institution how to verify the proposed payment before releasing the car. A screenshot or message saying money was sent is not verification. Use the private-sale payment guide to prepare the appointment.

If the buyer lives elsewhere, have them confirm destination-state title, registration, insurance and transport requirements. Follow your own seller steps as well. Our out-of-state buyer handoff guide helps keep the two responsibilities separate.

Louisiana private-sale checklist

• Prepare the title assignment for notarized signing and resolve liens.
• Confirm OMV's plate and insurance instructions before collection.
• Submit the transfer notice within fifteen days and retain proof.
• Verify payment through your own bank before the agreed release.
• Remove belongings, toll devices and saved connected-car information.
• Keep the completed transaction records and mark the listing sold afterward.

Start your Louisiana listing

When your photos, condition description and ownership plan are ready, start a CarTruvo listing. You set the asking price and speak directly with interested buyers. Arrange payment, ownership transfer and collection with the buyer using the official requirements above.