Do You Need Insurance to Register a Car in Louisiana in 2025

Louisiana law mandates motor vehicle liability insurance for all vehicles operated on public roadways. Under Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 32:900, the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Law, every owner or operator must provide motor vehicle liability insurance coverage or other acceptable proof of financial responsibility.

Legal Requirement for Insurance Coverage

Louisiana law establishes that no person shall operate or permit the operation of an uninsured motor vehicle upon any public road in this state. According to statute, operators must maintain continuous security as required by Louisiana law at all times.

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles administers vehicle registration and monitors insurance compliance throughout the state. The Office of Motor Vehicles maintains the Louisiana Insurance Verification System to ensure that vehicle owners maintain continuous coverage once their vehicles have been registered.

Vehicle owners who allow insurance coverage to lapse will have their vehicle registration suspended. Operating a vehicle without required insurance constitutes a violation of Louisiana law. First offense penalties include a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $1,000, and the court may order imprisonment for not more than six months. Second and subsequent offenses carry fines between $1,000 and $2,000, possible imprisonment for not more than one year, and suspension of driving privileges for one year. Vehicle registration remains suspended until proof of insurance is provided.

Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles
7979 Independence Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Phone: (877) 368-5463
Official Website: Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles

Minimum Insurance Coverage Requirements

Louisiana law establishes minimum coverage amounts for motor vehicle liability insurance. The Louisiana Department of Insurance regulates insurance companies and provides guidance on coverage requirements. Louisiana requires drivers to maintain liability insurance coverage that meets or exceeds statutory minimum amounts.

Louisiana operates under a tort-based insurance system rather than a no-fault system. This means that the at-fault driver's insurance company pays for damages resulting from an accident. Louisiana does not mandate personal injury protection coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage is not required, but insurance companies must offer it to policyholders, and motorists may reject this coverage in writing.

Collision coverage and comprehensive coverage are not mandated by Louisiana law. Lenders typically require comprehensive and collision coverage for financed or leased vehicles as a condition of the loan or lease agreement. These coverages protect the vehicle itself rather than liability to others.

Louisiana Department of Insurance
1702 North Third Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: (225) 342-5900
Official Website: Louisiana Department of Insurance

Proof of Insurance Documents

In Louisiana, drivers must carry proof of insurance at all times while operating a motor vehicle. Louisiana law permits multiple formats for demonstrating proof of financial responsibility. The following formats are accepted:

• Insurance Identification Card (Paper): The traditional printed insurance card provided by insurance companies shows policy information, insured name, vehicle information, and coverage dates.
• Electronic Proof of Insurance: Louisiana accepts electronic proof of insurance displayed on mobile phones or other portable electronic devices. The electronic display must show a current, valid representation of required insurance information.
• Insurance Policy: The complete insurance policy document showing coverage information and policy details.
• Certificate of Insurance: Documentation from the insurance company showing coverage information and verification of active policy status.
• Self-Insurance Certificate: For qualified entities that meet Louisiana requirements for self-insurance under state law.

Insurance Verification System

Louisiana utilizes the Louisiana Insurance Verification System to monitor insurance coverage for all registered vehicles. The automated system maintains electronic records of insurance policies reported by companies authorized to write motor vehicle liability insurance in Louisiana. Insurance companies submit policy information electronically to the Office of Motor Vehicles, which maintains the central database of insured vehicles.

Law enforcement officers verify insurance coverage during traffic stops through access to the state database. Officers can query the system using vehicle identification numbers or license plate information to confirm active insurance coverage. The database provides real-time information about policy status, coverage dates, and insurance company details. If the database shows no active coverage, officers may still accept paper or electronic proof of insurance directly from the motorist.

The Office of Motor Vehicles cross-references vehicle registration records with insurance data to identify uninsured vehicles. When the system detects a lapse in coverage, the registered owner receives notification that vehicle registration will be suspended unless proof of insurance is provided. Registration suspension remains in effect until the owner demonstrates compliance with insurance requirements by providing proof of current coverage or surrendering license plates.

Exceptions to Insurance Requirements

Limited exceptions to the financial responsibility requirement exist under Louisiana law:

• Active Duty Military Personnel: Military personnel stationed in Louisiana with vehicles registered in their home state may operate vehicles with valid out-of-state insurance that meets Louisiana minimum coverage requirements. Military members must carry current military identification and a valid registration from their home state.
• Non-Resident Motorists: Operators who are not Louisiana residents and whose vehicles are not registered in Louisiana may operate vehicles in the state if they maintain insurance that meets the minimum requirements of their home state, provided their home state has comparable insurance laws.
• Self-Insured Entities: Organizations that obtain certificates of self-insurance from the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections are exempt from purchasing commercial insurance policies. Self-insurers must demonstrate adequate financial resources to satisfy potential liability claims.
• Vehicles Not Operated on Public Roads: Vehicles used exclusively on private property and never operated on public roadways are not subject to Louisiana insurance requirements. However, once such vehicles enter public roads, insurance becomes mandatory.
• Surrendered Registration: Vehicle owners who surrender license plates to the Office of Motor Vehicles and cancel registration may suspend insurance coverage without penalty. Insurance must be reinstated before the vehicle can be registered and operated again.

Insurance Requirements for Vehicle Registration

• Parish registrars and Office of Motor Vehicles locations throughout Louisiana process vehicle registration applications and renewals. Louisiana law requires new residents to register vehicles within 30 days of establishing Louisiana residency. Vehicle registration services are handled through the Office of Motor Vehicles and authorized deputies in each parish.
• Insurance coverage must be verified when vehicle registration is issued or renewed. New registrants must provide proof of Louisiana insurance coverage that meets state minimum requirements. The insurance policy must show the vehicle identification number, policy effective dates, coverage amounts, and insurance company information. Out-of-state insurance policies do not satisfy Louisiana registration requirements for vehicles being registered in Louisiana.
• New Louisiana residents registering vehicles from other states must establish Louisiana insurance coverage before completing registration. The insurance policy must be issued by a company authorized to write motor vehicle liability insurance in Louisiana. Persons moving into Louisiana must title and register their vehicles within 30 days of establishing residency and obtain Louisiana insurance before completing vehicle registration.
• Online registration renewals are available through ExpressLane Louisiana. The online system processes renewal transactions for eligible vehicles with verified insurance coverage in the state database. Vehicles must have active insurance coverage reflected in the Louisiana Insurance Verification System for online renewal eligibility. If insurance information has not been updated in the database, online renewal will not be available until the system reflects current coverage. Vehicles with registration suspensions due to insurance lapses cannot renew online until insurance compliance is verified and suspensions are cleared.