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TRANSPORTATION / MOTOR VEHICLE INFORMATION

Louisiana Department of Motor Vehicles
https://www.expresslane.org/Pages/default.aspx

Louisiana State Police
http://www.lsp.org

Drivers License
All persons applying for a driver’s license or identification card must furnish both primary and secondary proofs of identity, proof of full legal name and date of birth, and proof of legal presence in the US when applying. All documents supplied must be either certified or original copies.

New Residents to Louisiana – Driver’s License
Louisiana residents holding a driver’s license from another state need to apply for a license within 30 days from time of residence. They will need to take only a vision test at the time of application, unless the license has been expired for more than one year, in which case a written test is required. If the license has expired for more than two years, a written as well as a driving test is required. More information can be found here. Non-US citizens (immigrants or non-immigrants) residing in Louisiana may apply for a Louisiana driver’s license, as long as they can provide proof that they are legally authorized to be in the United States, and meet all the other requirements.

Registration
All vehicles, boats and outboard motors in excess of 10 horsepower are registered annually, unless in salvage or junked status (salvage/junk title issued). No exclusions are made for vehicles/boats/motors not in use. The type of registration depends upon the type of vehicle, its use and, in some instances, upon the special qualification of the owner. Vehicle registration transactions may be completed at any Louisiana motor license agency office, use the web link to find a location nearby. In addition

Emissions Testing
In Louisiana, passenger vehicles are required to have an annual vehicle inspection done at Motor Vehicle Inspection stations authorized by the Office of Motor Vehicles. During a typical motor vehicle inspection, various parts and systems of the car are examined and tested. Along with this, an Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) program has been implemented in Baton Rouge for the five parishes of Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston, and West Baton Rouge where there are environmental concerns. This new emissions testing has been introduced for the control and reduction of motor vehicle emissions. The testing includes On Board Diagnostics (OBD) testing, gas cap integrity test and a visual check for non-tampering of the emissions system. The Louisiana State Police website gives more information for passenger vehicles.

Insurance
Residents of Louisiana must provide proof of liability insurance coverage in order to register vehicles in the state. Proof of insurance usually comes in the form of an insurance security verification form, such as the vehicle owner’s insurance policy or an individual’s non-owner insurance policy. If the name of the insured is different than the policy holder, this person’s name must also be listed on the document. For example, if a parent is providing insurance for a son or daughter, the child’s name must also be provided. One copy of this document must be given at the time of registration and one copy must remain with the insured vehicle.

Child Passenger Safety Regulations
It is the driver’s responsibility to see that child passengers are properly restrained. Children five (5) years old or younger must be properly restrained in either a child car seat or a booster seat appropriate for their height and weight. Children ages six (6) through twelve (12) must be properly restrained in either a child car seat, booster seat, or seat belt. Properly restrained means that the restraint system is correctly installed and being used in accordance with the seat manufacturer’s instructions. For example, if the seat manufacturer’s instructions state that the car seat should never be placed in front of an active air bag, then installing it in front of an active air bag would not be “properly using”. The law exempts the drivers of emergency vehicles, such as an ambulance, from the law as well as drivers of vehicles which are not required to be equipped with seat belts and vehicles in which all the seat belts are in use by other passengers.

MISSISSIPPI

Mississippi Department of Revenue
http://www.dor.ms.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Mississippi Department of Public Safety
http://www.dps.state.ms.us

Driver’s License
All persons applying for a driver’s license or identification card must furnish both primary and secondary proofs of identity, proof of full legal name and date of birth, and proof of legal presence in the US when applying. All documents supplied must be either certified or original copies. Licenses are issued by the department of Public Safety, visit their website for downloadable forms and instructions.

New Residents to Mississippi – Driver’s License
Louisiana residents holding a driver’s license from another state need to apply for a license within 30 days from time of residence. They will need to take only a vision test at the time of application, unless the license has been expired for more than one year, in which case a written test is required. If the license has expired for more than two years, a written as well as a driving test is required. More information can be found here. Non-US citizens (immigrants or non-immigrants) residing in Louisiana may apply for a Louisiana driver’s license, as long as they can provide proof that they are legally authorized to be in the United States, and meet all the other requirements.

Registration
Mississippi law requires that motor vehicle owners must register their vehicle with the Mississippi department of Public Safety before taking it on the road. Both new and second-hand vehicles must be registered, regardless of whether they are purchased from a dealer or an individual. In addition, new Mississippi residents who have registered their vehicle in another state must register their vehicle in Mississippi. The initial vehicle registration must be done in person, and registration renewals must be done annually, either in person or online. You must register a car within 7 days of taking possession of it. If you are a new resident you must do this within 30 days.

If you are registering a motor vehicle in Mississippi for the first time, you must complete the following steps:
Complete a vehicle title/registration form which is available from your county tax office.
Make sure you have the title or apply for a replacement.
The current odometer disclosure if it is not on the back of the title
A Bill of Sale.
Visit your county tax collector’s office, and bring the completed title/registration form with you and the above documents with you. In addition, you will need to provide proof of insurance
For vehicles that have been registered in another state, you must also bring the original, out-of-state title. If the title is unavailable, bring the registration document, along with proof of sales tax payment
Emission tests are not mandatory for vehicles in Mississippi so you do not need to have your car tested before registration.

Child Passenger Safety Regulations
It is the driver’s responsibility to see that child passengers are properly restrained. Children five (5) years old or younger must be properly restrained in either a child car seat or a booster seat appropriate for their height and weight. Children ages six (6) through twelve (12) must be properly restrained in either a child car seat, booster seat, or seat belt. Properly restrained means that the restraint system is correctly installed and being used in accordance with the seat manufacturer’s instructions. For example, if the seat manufacturer’s instructions state that the car seat should never be placed in front of an active air bag, then installing it in front of an active air bag would not be “properly using”. The law exempts the drivers of emergency vehicles, such as an ambulance, from the law as well as drivers of vehicles which are not required to be equipped with seat belts and vehicles in which all the seat belts are in use by other passengers.