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Transportation Safety Services (TSS) within the Louisiana State Police Patrol Division is comprised of the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, which includes the Motor Carrier Safety Unit, Towing and Recovery Unit, and Motor Vehicle Inspection Unit. Together they fall under the command of the TSS Command Inspector and are responsible for the enforcement of all applicable Federal and State regulations that relate to the commercial motor transportation industry. The primary mission of the TSS is maintaining the safety of those traveling our roadways through education, uniform enforcement of applicable regulations, and partnerships with industry and our State and Federal counterparts.
The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVED) within Transportation Safety Services (TSS) is comprised of the Motor Carrier Safety Unit (MCSU), the Towing and Recovery Unit (TRU), and the Motor Vehicle Inspection Unit (MVI). Each of these units works to improve public safety by working with industry to gain compliance with the applicable Federal and State regulations through education and uniform enforcement. The CVED is under the command of a State Police Captain and is staffed by a team of approximately 100 commissioned and 30 non-commissioned personnel under the oversight of the TSS Command Inspector.
In 1985, the State of Louisiana entered into an agreement with the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) to uniformly enforce the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) and the Federal Hazardous Material Regulations (FHMR). With the formation of the Louisiana State Police (LSP) Motor Carrier Safety Unit (MCSU), the State agreed to strict requirements established by the USDOT for the inspection of commercial motor vehicles and drivers and for the reporting of all applicable data generated from these inspections.
The primary objective of Louisiana’s MCSU was to reduce the number and severity of commercial motor vehicle crashes within the State. To facilitate this objective the LSP launched a program of roadside safety inspections, compliance reviews and educational outreach initiatives.
Only officers certified by the FMCSA may enforce the FMCSR and the FHMR.
As part of the LSP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVED), the MCSU is further sub-divided into three regional units and an administrative support unit. Organizationally, the MCSU parallels the general organizational structure of the LSP. The unit is staffed full time by 46 commissioned State Troopers, Sergeants, and Lieutenants. Additionally, the MCSU's efforts are being supplemented by commissioned Troopers from the LSP Towing & Recovery and HAZMAT Units.
The use of mobile data terminals (MDTs) and Aspen software for documentation of roadside inspections enables the rapid upload of inspection data to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Safety and Fitness Electronics Records (SAFER) System. Upon completion of an inspection, officers transmit the data wirelessly to the Department of Public Safety Data Processing Center for immediate upload to SAFER. MCSU inspection officers anywhere in the Nation may access the SAFER System and view any inspection data uploaded to SAFER during the previous 45 days. Such technology allows officers to apprehend violators of out-of-service orders and to identify repeat offenders.
The LSP MCSU has long recognized the importance and effectiveness of comprehensive educational initiatives. The LSP, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, and the Louisiana Forestry Association often work together to enhance the knowledge of industry and to promote highway safety. Federal programs such as ‘No-Zone’, ‘Be Ready Be Buckled’, and ‘Share the Road’ have been integral components of the LSP MCSU’s efforts. If you would like information on scheduling a safety talk with our training staff for your commercial drivers, please contact us at [email protected]
In conjunction with the Drug Interdiction Assistance Program (DIAP), special emphasis is placed on the interdiction of illegal narcotics transported by commercial motor vehicles. Officers making use of specialized interdiction training and narcotics sniffing canines are constantly on the lookout for such shipments.
The LSP MCSU Administrative Unit operates out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Its primary purpose is to provide administrative and technical support to the three MCSU Regional Offices and to serve as a central repository for all reports generated as a result of MCSU enforcement activities. In addition, the MCSU Administrative Unit also provides support to each of the nine LSP Troops, LSP Headquarters and the trucking industry.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding inspection reports, please contact the Administrative Unit at 225-925-3800. Please do not contact the MCSU Regional Offices for information on assessed penalties or fine amounts.
The MCSU Region 1 office is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and consists of all areas within LSP Troops A, B, and L. The Region 1 telephone number is 225-925-6113.
The MCSU Region 2 office is located in Scott, Louisiana and consists of all areas within LSP Troops C, D and I. The Region 2 telephone number is 337-262-2220.
The MCSU Region 3 office is located in Shreveport, Louisiana and consists of all areas within LSP Troops E, F and G. The Region 3 telephone number is 318-741-7416.
The LSP MCSU may also be contacted at [email protected]
To Make Payment:
LSP - Motor Carrier
P.O. Box 66601, Dept A-32
Baton Rouge, LA 70896
Phone: 225-925-3800
Fax: 225-925-3912
For questions about a Driver/Vehicle Inspection Report, penalties, or vehicle laws send an e-mail to: [email protected]
To review National Carrier Profiles go to: www.safersys.org
Please select one of the versions below. Both versions can be filled in electronically and printed.
To File a Complaint:
Interstate Household Goods Companies
In 1989, the Louisiana Legislature passed the Louisiana Towing and Storage Act in order to regulate persons and businesses engaged in the towing and/or storing of vehicles in Louisiana. The act provides that the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Public Safety Services, Office of State Police shall be the regulating agency. The Towing & Recovery Unit (TRU) was created as a result of this legislation and is responsible for the regulation and education of the towing and storage industry.
The primary objective of the TRU is to educate those persons and businesses involved in the towing and storage industry to ensure compliance with all applicable rules and regulations.
As part of the LSP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVED), the TRU is further sub-divided into two regional units. Organizationally, the TRU parallels the general organizational structure of the LSP. The Unit is staffed full time by fifteen commissioned LSP Troopers.
The TRU is responsible for conducting annual inspections and investigating complaints from the public on all licensed towing and storage facilities, as well as conducting roadside safety inspections on tow trucks. The TRU is also responsible for conducting VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) inspections on all vehicles in need of a VIN plate replacement or an assignment of a VIN on assembled or kit vehicles.
Each year, the LSP TRU mandates that Troopers assigned to the Unit participate in a comprehensive training program. During the course of this training, TRU personnel and officials from the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles meet to discuss recent changes and trends in the towing and storage industry.
Also, part of this annual training, the LSP TRU invites representatives of the towing industry to discuss any concerns over regulatory practices as well as ask questions of the Unit’s regulatory policies.
If you have any questions or would like to file a complaint concerning a towing or storage facility, please contact the Towing & Recovery Unit Headquarters Office at 225-925-6113 or email at [email protected] for more information.
The Department of Public Safety, Motor Vehicle Inspection Police Officer is a uniformed commissioned POST certified Peace Officer position and serves as a Louisiana State Police representative. Officers have statewide authority to enforce the criminal and traffic laws of the state, make arrests, and perform other related duties imposed upon them by the legislature as peace officers. Motor Vehicle Inspection authority is derived from the Louisiana Revised Statutes R.S. 32:1301 – 1312. The MVI section works under the Office of State Police within the Transportation and Environmental Safety section of the Patrol Division.
The MVI section is currently tasked with the regulation and inspection of all Motor Vehicle Inspection Stations, Approval of Window Tint Waivers (Medical & Security) and performing Motor Carrier Safety Inspections. MVI section consists of officers across the state to conduct required audits on 1700 MVI stations. Contact information 225-925-6113 ext. 257.
There are four categories of MVI stations across the state: Public, Dealer, Fleet, and Government. The rules which govern these stations are found under the Louisiana Administrative Code Title 55, Part III. Any new stations must have a physical inspection prior to licensing. All licensed stations are renewed each calendar year and inspected annually.
Of the 1700 MVI stations, 182 are in the non-attainment (DEQ) area. These stations are located in the non-attainment area consisting of East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Livingston, Iberville, and Ascension Parishes. Additionally, MVI officers in this area conduct 1200 bi-annual roadside audits consisting of gas cap & OBDII testing.
Once a business has been approved by the department to submit application to become a MVI station, they may send individuals for training to become motor vehicle inspectors. Listed below are the three State approved schools allowed to conduct the training of MVI inspectors.
BRCC/LA Technical College (EAST BATON ROUGE)
2115 N. Lobdell Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Phone: 225-216-8586
Fax: 225-216-8245
Central Louisiana Technical Community College-CLTCC (WINNFIELD)
Huey P. Long Campus
5960 Hwy 167 North
Winnfield, LA 71483
Phone: 318-628-4342 Ext. 5010
Fax: 318-628-6327
Contact: Angela Morgan
Fletcher Technical Community College
Thibodaux Facility
1425 Tiger Drive
Thibodaux, LA 70301
985-448-5920
Medical Window Tint Exemption
Approval for exemption will only pertain to medical needs for added protection from the sun that are verifiable by the World Health Organization International Classification of Disease ICD-9-CM. Vehicle(s) must be registered in Louisiana and insured in accordance with applicable law. Exemptions only apply to Louisiana residents with doctors who are licensed to practice in Louisiana.
Complete and submit affidavit to address listed below. After your affidavit has been accepted, you will receive information on further instructions.
NOTE: Upon approval of the window tint exemption, the vehicle will be issued a numeric window tint exemption sticker. This sticker will be placed on the driver side of the windshield in the lower left-hand corner.
**Any exemption granted shall not apply to the area below the top 6 inches of a motor vehicle windshield; see (R.S. 32:361.2D)
All Window Tints applications to be mailed to:
DPS/Window Tint
PO Box 66614 A-26
Baton Rouge, LA 70896
HistoryIn 1997, The Louisiana Legislature transferred the Mobile Weights and Standards Unit under the command of the Louisiana State Police. This enforcement function was formerly under the control of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. The Weight Enforcement is currently positioned with the Louisiana State Police Transportation Safety Services (TSS) comprised of Louisiana State Police Troopers and Louisiana Department of Public Safety Officers. Weight Enforcement is legislatively mandated to direct, coordinate, and control the activities of Mobile Weight Enforcement.
The primary function of the Mobile Weight Enforcement (MWE) Unit is the protection of the motoring public and the highway infrastructures of the state of Louisiana. This is accomplished by ensuring that commercial vehicle traffic is in compliance with statutory provisions of laws regulating weight, size, and registration. Mobile Weight Enforcement Personnel have received additional training in Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations and the federal hazardous material regulations. MWE Personnel are divided among three (3) regions across the state.
Region 1 - Include the areas of Troops A, B, and L. Region 1 covers the major metropolitan areas of New Orleans and Baton Rouge, along with the suburban and rural parishes of Southeastern Louisiana. Contact Information: (225) 925-6113
Region 2 - Include the areas of Troops C, D, and I. Its territory covers the Acadiana Parishes and stretches westward from the Atchafalaya Basin to the Louisiana/Texas state line. Major cities include Lafayette and Lake Charles. Contact Information: (337) 262-2220
Region 3 - Includes the areas of Troops E, F, and G. Its territory encompasses all parishes north of the Acadiana Parishes to the Arkansas state line and all parishes between Texas and Mississippi. Contact Information: (318) 741-2742
Phone: 225-925-6113
Fax: 225-925-4048
Captain Bert Dabadie - Commander
Phone: 225-925-6113
Fax: 225-925-4048
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Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles