How to Complete a VIN Inspection in Louisiana

Louisiana's Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) does not require every out-of-state vehicle to undergo a separate VIN inspection simply to transfer a clean title into the state. If your vehicle has a standard, unbranded out-of-state title, you can typically transfer it with the Vehicle Application (Form DPSMV 1799) and your existing title paperwork. Where Louisiana does require a physical inspection tied to the VIN is when a vehicle has been declared a total loss and is being retitled with a rebuilt or reconstructed brand, including vehicles that arrive in Louisiana with a salvage title issued by another state.

When is a VIN or physical inspection required in Louisiana?

Louisiana law defines a "physical inspection" as the process used to verify the identity and vehicle identification number of a vehicle, and OMV policy requires this inspection whenever a salvaged or reconstructed vehicle is being titled in Louisiana. This includes a vehicle that was declared a total loss out of state and issued a salvage title by another state, since an out-of-state salvage title is one of the documents OMV accepts as proof of the vehicle's chain of ownership when it is later presented for a Louisiana reconstructed title.

Who performs the inspection?

Physical inspections in Louisiana must be conducted by a full-time, Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certified law enforcement officer who has also been certified by the Louisiana State Police, Office of State Police, to inspect motor vehicles. You cannot have this inspection done by a private garage or dealership; you will need to contact a local law enforcement agency that performs these inspections, or one your agency refers you to, to schedule it.

What to bring to a VIN inspection in Louisiana

To title a rebuilt or reconstructed vehicle after the physical inspection is complete, OMV requires:

• A completed Vehicle Application (Form DPSMV 1799)
• Proof of the vehicle's ownership chain, such as a properly endorsed Louisiana salvage title, an Original Certificate of Salvage, or the out-of-state salvage title
• A completed Affidavit of Physical Inspection, signed off by the certified law enforcement officer who performed the inspection
• A completed Application for a Salvage-Reconstructed Motor Vehicle (Form DPSMV 1637), including owner information, vehicle information, rebuilder information, and a statement of repairs
• A Reconstructed Parts List (Form DPSMV 1635) documenting the major component parts that were replaced, including the VIN of any donor vehicle a part was taken from
• Notarized bills of sale or acts of donation covering the parts used to restore the vehicle

What to do after the inspection

Once the physical inspection has been completed and verified, and all of the required forms and supporting documents have been submitted, OMV will issue a Louisiana title branded "Reconstructed." A vehicle with a reconstructed title cannot legally be driven on Louisiana roads until this title, along with valid plates and registration, has been issued.