If a vehicle has been involved in an accident and declared to be a total loss by the owner or the insurance company, the Louisiana Department of Motor Vehicles will brand it with a salvage title.
Generally, a salvage title car cannot be driven on public roads in Louisiana until it has been adequately repaired, inspected, rebranded as “rebuilt” or “revived”, registered, and insured.
This page will cover the salvage title process in Louisiana, and provide you with tips on how to get a salvage vehicle back on the road.
For official information or questions about your specific situation, please contact your local Louisiana DMV office or visit the official DMV website:
What is a Salvage Title in Louisiana?
Like many other states, a salvage title in Louisiana means that the vehicle has been reported to the DMV to be a total loss, wrecked, or damaged to the point where it is no longer roadworthy.
In Louisiana, a vehicle is considered to be a total loss if the cost of repairs exceeds 75% or more of the vehicle’s fair market value.
If you plan to keep your car after it has been determined to be a total loss, you’ll have 30 days to apply for a salvage title.
To do so, you’ll need to:
- Complete a Vehicle Application (Form DPSMV 1799) and denote it is for a salvage vehicle.
- Provide the title.
- Provide the statement from your insurance company.
- Pay the $68.50 salvage title fee and any other fees that may apply.
Submit these documents and fees to your local OMV office or by mail to:
Office of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 64886
Baton Rouge, LA 70896
Louisiana salvage title cars cannot be driven until they have been repaired and inspected.
How to Get a Salvage Title Cleared in Louisiana
Once you’ve received the salvage title, you’ll need to have it repaired and inspected before it can be registered and legally driven again.
First, you’ll need to have an inspection completed by the Louisiana State Police.
The inspector will check the major components that were used in the repair to confirm no stolen parts have been used. Once the car passed the inspection, you’ll be issued an Affidavit of Physical Inspection.
To apply for a reconstructed title, you’ll then need to visit your local OMV office with the following:
- Your salvage title.
- A completed Affidavit of Physical Inspection.
- A completed Application for a Salvage-Reconstructed Motor Vehicle (Form DPSMV 1643): https://dpsweb.dps.louisiana.gov/DPSForms.nsf/
- A completed vehicle application (Form DPSMV 1799): https://dpsweb.dps.louisiana.gov/DPSForms.nsf/8bad5589175b8981862575f20048ee65/3f5bfbc0df992df186256dc0006961fc/$FILE/1799%20-%20Vehicle%20Application%20(R0118).pdf
- A list of the major components that were replaced along with receipts and bills of sale for these parts.
- Payment for the reconstructed title fee.
The newly issued title will have its brand changed from salvage to reconstructed.
Register a Salvage Title Car in Louisiana
Once the reconstructed title has been issued, you can register the vehicle again.
You’ll need to complete a registration application, provide proof of liability insurance, and pay your registration fees and taxes.
Related Pages:
- What is a Salvage Title?
- What is a Rebuilt Title?
- Salvage Title Insurance
- Buying a Car with a Salvage Title
Next Steps
If you’re in the market to buy, sell, or register a salvage title vehicle in Louisiana, VINvaquero.com has the free resources you need to get back on the road.
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