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Auto Title Companies and Public Tag Agents

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What is an Auto Title Company?

An Auto Title Company (ATC) is a person, firm, association or corporation contracted with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles and who is engaged primarily in the transfer and recordation of sales, leases or mortgages of vehicles.

An Auto Title Company may:

  • collect sales/use tax and registration fees
  • remit sales/use tax and registration fees collected along with vehicle title and registration documents on behalf of vehicle owners, lessees, dealers or lending institutions the Office of Motor Vehicles or a Public Tag Agent for issuance of a title or registration
  • issue temporary registration markers

What is a Public Tag Agent?

A Public Tag Agent (PTA) may be municipal or parish governing authorities, new motor vehicle dealers, or auto title companies that are authorized by the state of Louisiana to:

  • collect sales/use tax and registration fees
  • issue vehicle registrations and license plates for vehicles
  • process applications filed for certificates of title, including duplicate and corrected titles
  • handle conversions, transfers, and replacement of license plates and registration renewals
  • issue driver’s license renewals, including Real IDs

Services provided by PTAs may vary. A complete list of PTAs and the services they perform can be found here.  

Per R.S. 47:532.1, PTAs can charge a convenience fee of up to $23 per transaction.

Application Process

ATC and PTA contracts will be valid for two years and will expire on June 31st. 

If you are interested in applying with OMV to open an Auto Title Company or a Public Tag Agent you may send an inquiry to PTAadmin@la.gov.

Being an ATC is a prerequisite to becoming a PTA. ATC application can be made in advance of submitting a PTA application or application to become ATC and PTA may be made at the same time.

ATC Application Requirements

  • Applications will be completed electronically and will be sent after receipt of an email from the prospective applicant.
  • The application process is divided into two stages:
    • Stage 1
      • An ATC application will be sent electronically to the prospective applicant.
      • A non-refundable application fee of $400 is required. An additional $100 will be required for each additional location.
      • All applicants and employees must pass a background check
    • Stage 2
      • Acquire the business location where the ATC will be located
      • Acquire an ATC Surety bond in the amount of $100,000 or $125,000 for multiple locations. The bond must be valid for two years. The original bond must be mailed.
      • A copy of the articles of organization for all corporations and LLC’s must be submitted.

PTA Application Requirements

  • Applications will be completed electronically and will be sent after receipt of an email from the prospective applicant.
  • All PTA applicants must also complete an ATC application.
  • The application process is divided into two stages
    • Stage 1
      • An ATC and a PTA application will be sent electronically to the prospective applicant.
      • A non-refundable ATC application fee of $400 must be submitted for the primary location and an additional $100 for each additional location. A non-refundable PTA application fee of $200 must be submitted.
      • All applicants and employees must pass a background check.
    • Stage 2
      • Acquire the business location where the PTA will be located.
      • Acquire a Public Tag Agency surety bond in the amount of $100,000.00 or $125,000.00 for multiple locations. The Public Tag Agent bond is required in addition to the Auto Title Company bond requirements. All surety bonds must be valid for two years and be valid for the same period as the PTA contract. Original bonds must be mailed.
      • A copy of the articles of organization for all corporations and LLCs must be submitted.

Additional PTA Requirements

  • Applicants are responsible for acquiring all equipment and required software.
  • PTA's are responsible for establishing connectivity with OMV which may require the assistance of an IT technician.
  • A vehicle dealer licensed by the Louisiana Used Motor Vehicle Commission is not eligible to be a PTA.
  • All PTA office locations must have independent office space from adjoining businesses.