Louisiana

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Louisiana. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

  • Alcohol Impaired Driving

    Penalties

    Increased Penalty for High BAC Limited Driving Privileges During Suspension Vehicle and License Plate Sanctions
    .15 and .20   Vehicle confiscation

    Ignition Interlocks

    Mandatory for high BAC (0.20 and above) and repeat convictions; highly incentivized for first convictions

    Other

    Open Container Laws Repeat Offender Laws
    No No

     

  • Bicyclists and Pedestrians

    Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 12.

  • Child Passenger Safety

    Child Restraint Required

    At least 2 yrs in a rear-facing child safety seat until outgrows the seat by height or weight

    At least 2 yrs in forward-facing child safety seat if rear-facing seat it too small by height or weight

    4-8 yrs in booster seat if outgrown forward-facing harness seat by height or weight

    Under 13 in rear seat if possible

    Adult Safety Belt Permissible

    At least 9 yrs  and fits in an adult seat belt correctly 

    Under 13 in rear seat if possible

  • Distracted Driving

    Hand-Held Ban?

    Drivers with learner or intermediate license, regardless of age. Drivers in school zones. Primary law.

    All Cell Phone Ban?

    School Bus Drivers

    Yes. Primary law.

    Novice Drivers

    Drivers under 18. Primary law.

    Text Messaging Ban?

    All drivers. Primary law.

  • Drug Impaired Driving

    DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

    • None

    Marijuana-Specific Laws

    • Possession and Use: Illegal
    • Impaired Driving: None
  • Mature Drivers

    Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

    4 years

    Provisions for Mature Drivers

    70 and over: no mail renewal

     

  • Motorcyclists

    Universal helmet law enacted 2004.

  • Seat Belts

    Type of Law

    Primary

    Who Is Covered?

    13 and over

    In What Seat?

    All

  • Speed and Red Light Cameras

    Speed Cameras

    State Law

    Permitted by state law and city ordinance

    Where Permitted

    Specified jurisdictions; not permitted on interstate highways except operated by state in construction zones when workers are present

    Red Light Cameras

    State Law

    Permitted by state law

    Where Permitted

    Specified jurisdictions

  • Speeding and Aggressive Driving

    Rural Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    75 75

    Urban Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    70 70

    Other Limited Access Roads

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    70 70
  • Teen and Novice Drivers

    Full Privilege Minimum Age

    17 years

    Learner Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    Minimum Duration (Months)

    Required Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours)
    15 6 50 (15)

    Intermediate Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    		 Nighttime Driving Restriction

    Passenger Restriction (except family, unless noted)
    16 11 p.m. - 5 a.m. No more than 1 under 21 between 6 p.m. - 5 a.m.