MOTOR VEHICLES: Modifies charges collected by public license tag agents

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Chad Boyer

Public license tag agents can charge higher convenience fees—for status checks and reinstatements—rising from $23 to $27 per transaction, with disclosure requirements.

Effective date: 08/01/2026.

Purpose

HB 989 seeks to modify the charges that public license tag agents may collect for two specific services related to driving and vehicle registration privileges:
- Providing information on the status of registration privileges.
- Processing reinstatements of driving and vehicle registration privileges when those privileges were revoked due to failure to maintain or provide proof of compulsory motor vehicle liability insurance.

The bill increases the maximum allowable convenience fees for these services.

Key Provisions

Amends R.S. 47:532.1(A)(7)(c) and (C).

A. Information on status and reinstatements

Public license tag agents may continue to:

Provide information on the status of registration privileges.
Process reinstatements of driving and vehicle registration privileges when revoked for failing to maintain or provide proof of compulsory motor vehicle liability insurance.

Maximum convenience fee for these services is increased from

$23 to $27.

Conditions:

The charges must be disclosed to the consumer before the transaction begins.
The charges must be posted conspicuously in the business office of the tag agent.

C. Additional convenience charge on transactions

Public license tag agents may collect a convenience charge in addition to the registration tax or other authorized fees, sales taxes, and transactions.

Maximum convenience charge increased from

$23 to $27 per authorized transaction.

The agent must collect and retain the full amount of the convenience charge.

The seller is authorized to collect the convenience charge in connection with any retail sale, in addition to existing fees.

Who Is Affected

Public license tag agents (the offices/entities authorized to issue license plates and handle related licensing tasks) and consumers who use their services for:

Checking the status of registration privileges.
Reinstating driving and motor vehicle registration privileges revoked for failure to maintain or provide proof of liability insurance.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Effective language: The bill amends and reenacts the stated sections, meaning the higher fee limits would apply after enactment to qualifying transactions.

Legislative history notes that the bill was reported favorably (13-2) as of April 22, 2026, with sponsor listed as Representative Boyer (co-sponsor Chad Boyer).

Practical Impact

Consumers seeking information on registration status or reinstatement of revoked privileges could face higher optional convenience charges, rising from a maximum of $23 to $27 per service/transaction.

Public license tag agents would have a higher ceiling for convenience charges, potentially increasing their revenue from these specific services.

The disclosure and conspicuous posting requirements remain in place to ensure customers are aware of the additional charges before initiating a transaction.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to current law text or create a quick one-page explainer for stakeholders (consumers, agents, and local clerks).

Bill