State guide
Louisiana
Louisiana handles VIN verification through a state police-backed physical inspection process rather than giving customers a paper VIN form. OMV policy says inspections are done in the Louisiana State Police physical inspection database, and assembled vehicles go through OMV’s Specialized Vehicle Unit plus Louisiana State Police VIN assignment.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- When a VIN verification is required
- Louisiana requires a physical inspection when OMV or statute requires VIN verification; published examples include rebuilt salvaged vehicles, some out-of-state trailers that were not previously titled or licensed, and assembled vehicles that must receive a State Police-assigned VIN.
- Who can do it
- A full-time P.O.S.T.-certified law enforcement officer trained and certified by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of State Police, performs the physical inspection; assembled-vehicle VINs are assigned by the Louisiana State Police Towing and Recovery Unit.
- Official form
- Not published by an official source we could verify. Ask the office.
- Fee
- $70.00
- Official instructions
- Official page →
Official resources in Louisiana
Explains who can perform Louisiana physical inspections and how OMV verifies them.
Lists rebuilt-salvage title documents, including the required physical inspection and related salvage forms.
Gives the steps for assembled vehicles, including OMV referral and Louisiana State Police VIN assignment.
Index page linking OMV title and registration policies, including physical inspection, salvage, kit car, and assembled vehicle policies.
State law on who may perform VIN verification inspections in Louisiana.
Key facts for Louisiana
- Louisiana VIN verification must be done by a P.O.S.T.-certified law enforcement officer trained and certified by State Police.
- OMV says physical inspections are completed in LSP’s database; customers are not given a copy of the completed inspection form.
- DPSSP3515 is no longer valid and will not be accepted by OMV.
- Rebuilt salvaged vehicles require an Affidavit of Physical Inspection and DPSMV1637 salvage-reconstructed application.
- Assembled vehicles get a VIN assigned by the Louisiana State Police Towing and Recovery Unit.
- Louisiana’s published OMV fee schedule lists “Affidavit of Physical Inspection” at $70.00.
Official VIN inspection locations in Louisiana
| Location | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local law enforcement agency | Not published* | Not published* | OMV says to contact your local law enforcement agency to schedule a physical inspection or get a referral to an agency that can assist. |
| Office of Motor Vehicles Specialized Vehicle Unit | Baton Rouge | Not published* | Initial assembled-vehicle applications are forwarded here before OMV issues a referral for State Police VIN assignment. |
| Louisiana State Police Towing and Recovery Unit | Not published* | Not published* | Assigns VINs to assembled vehicles after OMV issues the referral letter. |
| Office of Motor Vehicles Headquarters | Baton Rouge | (225) 925-6146 | OMV verifies completed inspections in the state database and processes related title work. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- Call a local law enforcement agency first; OMV policy says they schedule or refer Louisiana physical inspections.
- For rebuilt salvage, gather DPSMV1799, DPSMV1637, parts receipts, and chain-of-ownership documents before applying.
- For assembled vehicles, submit documents to OMV Specialized Vehicle Unit first; only then can you schedule LSP VIN assignment.
Not seeing your location or county?
Not every location publishes its rules online. Try these, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Louisiana's population center, for comparison only):
- Troop M – Brookhaven, Mississippi · about 87 miles
- Troop J – Hattiesburg, Mississippi · about 134 miles
- Auto Theft Division / Salvage Division, Mississippi · about 136 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.OMV Policy 70.00 Affidavit of Physical Inspection
Website →Phone not shown: use the contact page on the official website above.Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Louisiana page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.