New to NO-- DMV, driving questions (New Orleans, Metairie: city hall, vehicle registration, insurance)

[juana_the_piranha]

I just got into town a few days ago and was wondering where the best DMV is in the area. I'd prefer to not wait 4 hours to get a new driver's license. If I have to drive 45 minutes, that's okay. Suggestions?

Also, what other fees will be a driving here be? How much does it cost to register a vehicle? In my previous town we had no brake or emissions tests. What is it like here?

Thanks in advance.

[WestbankNOLA]

Originally Posted by juana_the_piranha

I just got into town a few days ago and was wondering where the best DMV is in the area. I'd prefer to not wait 4 hours to get a new driver's license. If I have to drive 45 minutes, that's okay. Suggestions?

Also, what other fees will be a driving here be? How much does it cost to register a vehicle? In my previous town we had no brake or emissions tests. What is it like here?

Thanks in advance.

If you don't want to travel across the lake try the one in Harvey. It's located at Westbank Expwy and Scottsdale. I would avoid the one on Airline Hwy like the plague.

You are looking at paying:
-$24-$25 for a regular license.
-Anywhere from 4%-9% of the total retail value of your car depending on what state you are coming from and what area you live in for Vehicle Registration, plus $20+ for the License Plate, plus $18 for something, and a few other small fees.
-Brake Tags (Inspections) are roughly $20. If you live in the city limits of New Orleans, Kenner, or Westwego you have to get the car inspected inside the city limits. Anywhere else and you can get the inspection anywhere in the state except NO, Kenner, and Westwego.

Make sure you have Proof of Residence, SS Card, Birth Certificate, Current Driver's License, Proof of Insurance, etc. with you when you go to the DMV. 8 times out of 10 they won't even ask for alot of that (from my experience), but if they do and you don't have it you will be turned around.

[Prytania]

I go to the one on Airline Dr.

Get there early, took me about 2 hours but I went in the middle of the day.

And for tag, I just went to a tag/title place on Jefferson Hwy near Oschner.

[juana_the_piranha]

Oh my gosh, I better start saving my money now if I ever want to register my car.

Thanks, y'all.

[Petronilla]

Westwego is not bad (but I have waited an hour in there)... but for NO LINE, NO WAIT EVER go to Gramercy and/or Reserve DMV across the spill way in St. James or St. John parish respectively

[jadavis711]

I live in Kenner and I am trying to get my car inspected(I have already had it registered by the dealer in Metairie...Someone told my I have to go to Kenner City Hall on Williams to have my car inspected...Is this true?

[Pook77]

Inspected? Maybe they mean get a brake tag. They "inspect" your car before putting the tag on your windshield. You show them your lights, flashers, horn, brake lights and reverse lights work and that's it. The major brake tag station is just off of Williams (1904 24th St.). There's no signage, but if you're driving toward the river on Williams, once you cross Vets, turn right just after the KFC/Long John Silvers. It's back there. I believe the cost is $10 but I always forget to go and pay a late fee...

[mhounit]

MAKE SURE you have proof of insurance . They WILL ask for it .

[thepointykitty]

We had the best DMV experience ever at the one on Airline Drive. They really have their act together, or at least they did when we went. My husband and I both got our licenses and got the car transferred from Georgia to Louisiana. It took 50 minutes TOTAL, and all of it was less than $200.

Although my car is a newer model, it wasn't that expensive to transfer it because they counted part of the taxes I had already paid in Georgia. Apparently they have some sort of reciprocity deal with some other states.

Also, coming from an ad valorem state, I'm pretty stoked that I only have to buy the brake tag next year, and the tag renewal the year after that (for only $20)! I was paying more than that every year back in GA for my previous car that was over twelve years old.

Don't go on a Monday or Friday (too busy) and call ahead and they'll tell you how much it will cost for your specific car. The people were super nice on the phone and in person. I promise I am not lying. We were blown away!

[aab7855]

I've had pretty good experiences on the Westbank. Betcha Chalmette could get you in and out the fastest though.