LOUISIANA · automotive-tech
LA Motor Vehicle Inspector
Louisiana State Police — Transportation Safety Services / Motor Vehicle Inspection UnitScope of Work
Louisiana licenses individual Motor Vehicle Inspectors through the Louisiana State Police (LSP) Transportation Safety Services Section, Motor Vehicle Inspection (MVI) Unit. The credential authorizes the holder to perform Louisiana's biennial vehicle safety inspection at a licensed inspection station. The credential is the individual side of a two-credential regime: the inspection station first holds an LSP-issued station license, then the station may send technicians for inspector training. Source: LSP Transportation Safety Services (https://lsp.org/about/leadershipsections/special-operations/transportation-safety-services/) and La. Admin. Code tit. 55 Pt III § 807 (https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/louisiana/La-Admin-Code-tit-55-SS-III-807).
Station-First Pathway
A technician cannot apply directly. The applicant's employer must first be approved as an Official Motor Vehicle Inspection station by LSP. Once the station is approved, the station may send individuals to one of three state-approved auto-mechanic schools to complete the MVI inspector training. Source: La. Admin. Code tit. 55 Pt III § 807 (https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/louisiana/La-Admin-Code-tit-55-SS-III-807).
Commercial Inspector Tier
For commercial vehicle inspector certification, LSP imposes additional requirements. Commercial Vehicle Inspectors must hold current ASE certification in Diesel and/or School Bus repair (or have equivalent years of experience), and must have at least 5 years of experience as an ASE-certified diesel mechanic or equivalent. Proof of certifications must be submitted with the application. Source: LSP Transportation Safety Services (https://lsp.org/about/leadershipsections/special-operations/transportation-safety-services/).
License Application
After completing training, the applicant applies for the inspector license through LSP. Source: LSP Transportation Safety Services (https://lsp.org/about/leadershipsections/special-operations/transportation-safety-services/).
Legal Authority
Louisiana motor vehicle inspections are governed by La. Admin. Code Title 55, Part III, Chapter 8, Sections 801-835, with the State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the Louisiana DEQ. Source: EPA Louisiana SIP — LAC 55:III Ch. 8 (https://www.epa.gov/sips-la/louisiana-sip-lac-33iii-ch-8-section-801-835-motor-vehicle-inspections).
Note on Scope
Louisiana does not license individual general repair mechanics. The Motor Vehicle Inspector credential authorizes only the right to perform Louisiana's biennial state safety inspection.
Verified May 1, 2026 · compiled from public sources, verify current rules with Louisiana State Police — Transportation Safety Services / Motor Vehicle Inspection Unit before acting