New Iberia's derelict-car rule and selling the car whole

The two-part test

The city's definition starts with paperwork. A derelict or junk vehicle is one "which does not have lawfully affixed thereto both a valid unexpired license plate and a valid motor vehicle safety inspection certificate." Then the car must also show "one or more" listed conditions. Where no inspection certificate is required, "only a valid unexpired license plate shall be required."

That last clause matters soon. Louisiana's annual inspection sticker ends Jan. 1, 2027 for most personal vehicles. After that, the plate will be the paperwork half of the test for most cars.

Section 38-83 bans derelict or junk vehicles outright and declares them "public nuisances." The code gives its reasons, including that such cars "may attract persons of tender years" who could be hurt playing in them.

Exceptions

• An operable antique at least 25 years old, kept on private property for collecting, with a current Louisiana antique plate and registration. The car and its storage spot cannot become a hazard.
• Parts from a registered antique, used to restore it.
• Storage by a permitted tow operator, salvage yard or junkyard licensed with the city in the right business zone.

An everyday car does not fit any of these.

Thirty calendar days

Under Section 38-84, the city posts a notice on the windshield. It says to remove the car "within 30 calendar days" or face removal "by the city or by a tow truck operator acting on behalf of the city." If the city plans to charge the landowner, a second notice goes to them as well.

When 30 days pass, a tow operator may remove the car, then store it and "may dispose of the vehicle pursuant to the Louisiana Towing and Storage Act." The city's costs fall on the car's owner, anyone keeping it there, and the owner of the land.

Downtown has its own rule. On both sides of Main Street from Weeks Street to Jefferson Street, and in the first 12 spaces of each Bouligny Plaza row, parking is limited to two hours between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., every day except Sunday. A breakdown on that stretch leaves little time.

Title and plates from Iberia Parish

Titles in Louisiana are a state matter, so no Iberia Parish office is involved. The OMV handles them at its offices, through private Public Tag Agents, and by mail.

Have a notary watch you sign the assignment. A price written there covers the bill-of-sale rule; without it, a notarized bill of sale stating the price is required. The plate stays with you: hand it in, mail it, cancel it on the web, or pay $3.00 to put it on another car. Keep coverage in force until the plate is dealt with. For a scrap-only sale with no title, a signed, dated statement of ownership goes to the buyer instead. See selling with no title.

Nearby

As the crow flies, Lafayette is 18.6 miles from New Iberia and Baton Rouge 51. The Louisiana page has the state rules.

Getting an offer

Use the form or call (877) 421-6008 and give us a few facts: the car, the odometer reading if known, if it can start, and the papers you have. Pickup can be behind the shed, in the yard or at a garage.