Licenses

To engage in business in the state of Louisiana, regardless of whether or not said person or entity maintains or has a place or places of business in this state, a license must be obtained first, pursuant to LA-R.S. 32: 1254.

Click here to contact the office for more information and a license application packet.

Manufacturers, Distributors or Wholesalers, Branches, Representatives:

LA R.S. 32:1254.A(1) requires that a “Manufacturer” as defined by LA R.S. 32:1252(24) first obtain a license from the LMVC before engaging in business in Louisiana.

 

LA R.S. 32:1254.A(4) requires that a “Distributor” or “Wholesaler” as defined by LA

R.S. 32:1252(12) first obtain a license from the LMVC before engaging in business in Louisiana.

 

LA R.S. 32:1254.A(5) requires that a “Distributor Branch” as defined by LA R.S. 32:1252(13) first obtain a license from the LMVC before engaging in business in Louisiana.

 

LA R.S. 32:1254.A(3) requires that a “Factory Branch” as defined by LA R.S. 32:1252(16) first obtain a license from the LMVC before engaging in business in Louisiana.

 

LA R.S. 32:1254.A(15) requires that a “Distributor Representative” as defined by LA

R.S. 32:1252(14) first obtain a license from the LMVC before engaging in business in Louisiana.

 

LA R.S. 32:1254.A(14) requires a “Factory Representative” as defined by LA R.S. 32:1252(17) first obtain a license from the LMVC before engaging in business in Louisiana.

 

Persons who fabricate, assemble, produce, or distribute new motor vehicles or new recreational products are required to first obtain a license from the LMVC before doing business in Louisiana.

Factory Branches and Distributor Branches that ship vehicles to Louisiana are required to first obtain a license from the LMVC before doing business in Louisiana.

 

Every location of a person engaging in a business regulated by the LMVC must first obtain a license from the LMVC before doing business in Louisiana.

 

Representatives of licensed locations engaged in the business of selling, offering to sell, or facilitating the distribution of new motor vehicles or new recreational products must first obtain a license from the LMVC before doing business in Louisiana.

LA R.S. 32:1254.A(2) requires that a “Motor Vehicle Dealer” as defined by LA R.S. 32:1252(35) first apply for and obtain a license from the LMVC before engaging in business in Louisiana.

 

LA R.S. 32:1254.A(18) requires that a “Recreational Products Dealer” as defined by LA

R.S. 32:1252(46) first apply for and obtain a license from the LMVC before engaging in business in Louisiana.

 

LA R.S. 32:1254.A(6) requires that a “Used Motor Vehicle Facility” as defined by LA

R.S. 32:1252(69) first apply for and obtain a license from the LMVC before engaging in business in Louisiana.

 

LA R.S. 32:1254.A(16) requires that a “Motor Vehicle Salesman” as defined by LA R.S. 32:1252(39) first apply for and obtain a license from the LMVC before engaging in business in Louisiana.

 

New motor vehicle dealers and new recreational products dealers are persons authorized by law to sell new motor vehicles and/or new recreational products, and have a franchise or dealer agreement with a manufacturer or distributor licensed by the LMVC.

 

Every location of new motor vehicle dealer or a new recreational product dealer is required to have a license issued by the LMVC, including those locations that sell used motor vehicles and used recreational products.

 

An individual employed by a licensed dealer whose duties include selling, financing, insuring, or participating in the selling of motor vehicles or recreational products are required to have a license issued by the LMVC.

 

A salesperson is required to have a motor vehicle salesman license issued by the LMVC for each licensed location that he/she participates or actually sells, offers to sell, finances, or insures motor vehicles or recreational products.

LA R.S. 32:1254.A(7) requires that a “Satellite Warranty and Repair Center” as defined by LA R.S. 32:1252(51) first apply for and obtain a license from the LMVC before engaging in business in Louisiana.

 

This is a facility authorized to perform warranty and repair services on a motor vehicle at a location other than new motor vehicle dealership franchised location.

 

This is a facility approved by a manufacturer or distributor and licensed by the LMVC.

LA R.S. 32:1254.A(8) requires that a “Broker” as defined by LA R.S. 32:1252(5) first obtain a license from the LMVC before engaging in business in Louisiana.

 

A broker is a person who, for a fee or commission, facilitates or offers to facilitate the sale of a new motor vehicle or new recreational product for purposes other than resale.

 

This includes arranging a transaction involving the sale of a new motor vehicle for a commission without owning inventory and without engaging in direct sales.

 

This includes a person acting as an middle-man in the sale of a new motor vehicle or a new recreational product, but that person is separate and distinct from a dealer, manufacturer, and a direct owner.

LA R.S. 32:1254.A(10) requires a “Motor Vehicle Lessor” as defined by LA R.S. 32:1252(36) first obtain a license from the LMVC before engaging in business in Louisiana.

LA R.S. 32:1254.A(17) requires a “Motor Vehicle Lessor Agent” as defined in LA R.S. 32:1252(37) to obtain a license from the LMVC before engaging in business in Louisiana.

LA R.S. 32:1254.A(9) requires a “Motor Vehicle Lessor Franchisor” as defined by LA R.S. 32:1252(38) to obtain a license from the LMVC before engaging in business in Louisiana.

LA R.S. 32:1254.A(11) requires a “Motor Vehicle Lease Facilitator” as defined by LA R.S. 32:1252(21) to obtain a license from the LMVC before engaging in business in Louisiana.

Motor Vehicle Lessors and Agents

  • A person or its subsidiary that leases motor vehicles, recreational products, or specialty vehicles must obtain a license from the LMVC.
  • Every motor vehicle lessor location conducting business with Louisiana consumers, including daily rental companies, is required to obtain a license issued by the LMVC.
  • If a person is renting motor vehicles, recreational products, or specialty vehicles—and that person is not otherwise required by law to hold a license from the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission (LMVC)—then the following applies:
    • If the vehicles being rented are not from the current model year, the previous model year, or the immediate prior year, and
    • The vehicles have already been titled (registered as owned) to an end consumer (“ultimate purchaser”), then the person must obtain a license from the Louisiana Used Motor Vehicle Commission (LUMVC) and will be regulated by the LUMVC.

Motor Vehicle Lessor Franchisor

Any person awarding a franchise to lease or rent a motor vehicle, recreational product, or specialty vehicle under its trade name, trademark, or service mark or to sell used motor vehicles, recreational products, or specialty vehicles formerly part of its fleet must obtain a license from the LMVC.

Motor Vehicle Lease Facilitator

  • A person who acts as a middle-man to arrange a lease agreement for a vehicle and: 1) does not the own or register the leased vehicle, and 2) is not a motor vehicle dealer, a recreational product dealer, or an employee of either must obtain a license issued by the LMVC.
  • A person who does one or both of the following activities must obtain a license issued by the LMVC:
    • Represents himself/herself/itself as a “Motor Vehicle Leasing Company” or “Motor Vehicle Leasing Agent” (or similar title) in order to solicit or procure persons to enter into a lease agreement for motor vehicles or recreational products that will not be titled or registered in the lease facilitator’s name;
    • Solicits or secures lessees for motor vehicles or recreational products that are not and will not be titled or registered in the lease facilitator’s name.

Motor Vehicle Lessor Used Motor Vehicle Facility and Salespersons

  • A motor vehicle lessor that sells used motor vehicles, used recreational products, and used specialty vehicles must obtain a license issued by the LMVC.
  • Each location of a motor vehicle lessor that sells used motor vehicles, used recreational products and used specialty vehicles must obtain a license issued by the LMVC.
  • Persons whose employment duties include participation in, and the actual selling, financing, or insuring of used motor vehicles and used recreational products at the used motor vehicle facility of a licensed motor vehicle lessor must obtain a license issued by the LMVC.
  • Persons must obtain a license for each licensed location from which they sell, finance, insure, or participate in selling motor vehicles and recreational products.
  • Two licenses are required when a motor vehicle lessor leases and sells vehicle at the same location: 1) Motor Vehicle Lessor license and Agent license; 2) Motor Vehicle Lessor Used Motor Vehicle Facility and Salesperson license.

LA R.S. 32:1254.A(12) requires that a “Converter” or “Secondary Manufacturer” as defined by LA R.S. 32:1252(8) first obtain a license from the LMVC before doing business in Louisiana.

 

  • A Converter or Secondary Manufacturer is a person who performs significant modifications of a motor vehicle or trailer, before retail sale. This includes assembling, installing, or attaching a body, cab, or special equipment to a chassis, or making substantial alterations to an already assembled or manufactured vehicle or trailer.
  •  Each and every location of a convertor or secondary manufacturer is required to obtain a license issued by the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission.

LA R.S. 32:1254. A (13) requires a “Specialty Vehicle Dealer” as defined by LA R.S. 32:1252 (54), its Used Vehicle Sales Facility, and its Salespersons first obtain a license from the LMVC before doing business in Louisiana.

 

  • A Specialty Vehicle Dealer is a person who has a valid franchise with a licensed converter or secondary manufacturer of specialty vehicles.
  • A Specialty Vehicle Dealer is the only person authorized to offer for sale or sell, publicly solicit, or advertise the sale of a specialty vehicle.
  • A person who sells used specialty vehicles and is not required to obtain a license from the LMVC for any other activity of its business is required to get a used specialty vehicle license from the Louisiana Used Motor Vehicle Commission (“LUMVC”).
  • Every location of a Specialty Vehicle Dealer must have a license.
  • Persons employed by a specialty vehicle dealer and whose duties include the selling, financing, insuring, or participation in the selling of specialty vehicles must obtain a license from the LMVC.
  • Multiple licenses are required when a specialty vehicle dealer sells both new and used specialty vehicles at the same location. For the sale of new specialty vehicles, both a Specialty Vehicle Dealer license and a Specialty Vehicle Salesperson(s) license are required, as well as a Used Specialty Vehicle Dealer license and a Used Specialty Vehicle Salesperson license. If the special vehicle dealer is leasing or financing specialty vehicles, additional licenses for these activities are required.

LA R.S. 32:1256 authorizes the LMVC to allow or to deny the motor vehicle shows and the arranging a motor vehicle sale at locations other than that of the licensed location, for example: auto shows, trade shows, and exhibitions. LA R.S. 32:1254(19) requires that the promoter/producer first obtain a license from the LMVC before the start of an auto show, trade show, or exhibition.

 

Auto Shows

  • Auto shows and exhibitions are events, not located on a dealer’s licensed sales facility, where vehicles are displayed and promoted. Sales may be negotiated at the event, but the completion of the sale and delivery of the vehicle may not occur at the off-site location of an event. The final sale and delivery of a vehicle must be done at the dealer’s licensed location.
  • Only licensed motor vehicle dealers may initiate process of selling motor vehicles at auto shows.
  • A promoter, organizer, and producer are the key persons in the planning and execution of an auto show, trade show, and exhibition, all of which require a license from the LMVC prior to the start of the event.

 

Recreational Product Trade Show

LA R.S. 32:1254. A(19) authorizes the LMVC to regulate Regional Recreations Products or Specialty Vehicle Shows which are defined by LA R.S. 32:1256.1.A.(1)

  • Promoters, organizers, or producers organize and execute recreational product trade shows and special vehicle shows. And they must obtain a license prior to the start of the event.
  • Licensed recreational product dealers, specialty vehicle dealers, distributors, manufacturers and converters may participate in the trade shows to promote their products for sale and delivery at the licensed dealer location at a later time. The final sale and delivery of a vehicle is NOT permissible at trade shows.
  • Non-Louisiana recreational product dealers, distributors, or manufactures who wish to participate in a trade show must obtain an Exhibition License from the LMVC.

 

Offsite Expositions of Recreational Products Dealer

 

  • A Licensed Recreational Product Dealer can host an off-site exposition without being in a trade show.
  • This off-site exposition is limited to a single dealer and shall not exceed 9 days.
  • An exposition license issued by the LMVC is required.
  • A recreational products dealer may have only four off-site expositions per calendar year and at the same location only once every six months.

 

Static Off-Site Display

New Motor Vehicle Dealer and Recreational Products Dealer static off-site displays must be approved by the Commission. Sales activity can NOT occur at a static off-site display.

LA R.S. 32:1274.A requires that Vehicle Protection Product Warrantors as defined by LA R.S. 32:1272(7) must obtain a license from the LMVC before doing business in Louisiana.

 

Title 32, Chapter 6-A of the Louisiana Vehicle Protection Act prohibits a person from doing business as a warrantor or advertise being a warrantor unless he/she/it is first licensed by the LMVC.

 

  • Any person acting as a vehicle protection product warrantor who is contractually obligated under a warranty contract for vehicle protection products must apply for and receive a license from the LMVC.
  • A “Vehicle Protection Product Warranty” or Warranty” is a written agreement providing that if the vehicle protection product fails to prevent loss or damage to a vehicle from a specific cause, the warrantor will pay to, or on behalf of, the warranty holder the costs specified in the written warranty contract caused by the failure of the vehicle protection product to perform as stated in the warranty.
  • A “Vehicle Protection Product” is a protective device, system, or service installed on, or applied to, a vehicle to prevent loss or damage to a vehicle by a specific cause stated in the written warranty.
  • Examples of vehicle protection products include, among other things, alarm systems, body part marking products, steering locks, window etch products, pedal and ignition locks, fuel and ignition kill switches, and electronic, radio, and satellite tracking devices.

Unless exempt by LA R.S. 6:969.36, all persons are prohibited by LA R.S. 6:969.35 from making a Consumer Loan (defined by LA R.S. 6:969.9 ) or originating a Consumer Credit Sale (defined by LA R.S. 6:969.8).

 

 

  • Before MAKING a Consumer Loan or ORIGINATING a Consumer Credit Sale for any new or used vehicle, including automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, other vehicles that are operated over the public highways and streets of Louisiana, and a factory built home (that will not be immobilized pursuant to LA R.S. 9:1149.6), a person is required to apply for and receive a Louisiana Motor Vehicle Sales Finance License from the LMVC.
  • Assignees collecting payments from, or enforcing rights against consumers pursuant to a Consumer Loan or a Consumer Credit Sale must apply for and receive a Louisiana Motor Vehicle Sales Finance License from the LMVC.

Unless a person applies for and receives a Louisiana Motor Vehicle Sales Finance License from the LMVC or is a supervised financial organization, he/she/it is prohibited from doing business as an administrator, or as a salesman, or as an agent involving debt waiver or debt forgiveness agreements (“GAP” contracts).

 

  • These persons include persons managing debt waiver or debt forgiveness agreements who did not directly engage in consumer lending or consumer credit sales.
  • An Administrator of a debt waiver or debt forgiveness agreement is a person who is not an employee of an administrator, but who directly or indirectly solicits or effects coverage of, underwrites, collects charges or premiums from, or adjusts or settles claims of a Louisiana resident in connection with a debt waiver or debt forgiveness agreement.
  • This licensing requirement applies to any person whose duties include the sale of a debt waiver or debt forgiveness agreement on behalf of an administrator.