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 Administrative License Suspension on First Offense Limited Driving Privileges During Suspension Vehicle and License Plate Sanctions
    .15 and .20 45 day hard suspension of driving privileges for 2nd DWI conviction   Vehicle confiscation

    Ignition Interlocks

    Mandatory for all convictions

    Other

    Open Container Laws Repeat Offender Laws Alcohol Exclusion Laws Limiting Treatment
    No No Yes

     

  • Autonomous Vehicles

    Authorized a study on AVs.

  • Bicyclists and Pedestrians

    Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 12.

  • Child Passenger Safety

    Child Restraint Required

    Under 1 yrs or under 20 lbs in rear-facing child safety seat

    1-3 yrs or 20-39 lbs in forward-facing child safety seat

    4-5 yrs or 40-60 lbs in booster seat

    Adult Safety Belt Permissible

    6-12 yrs or over 60 lbs

    Maximum Fine for 1st Offense

    $100

  • Distracted Driving

    Hand-Held Ban?

    Drivers with learner or intermediate license, regardless of age.

    All Cell Phone Ban?

    School Bus Drivers

    Yes. Primary law.

    Novice Drivers

    Drivers within first year of licensure. Primary law for drivers under 18.

    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?

    Riders 13 and over

    In What Seat?

    All

    Maximum Fine for 1st Offense

    $25

  • Sobriety Checkpoints

    Checkpoints are conducted. Their legality is upheld under state Constitution.

  • Speed and Red Light Cameras

    Speed Cameras

    Violation/State Law

    Limited

    Permitted Locations/Criteria

    Statewide

    Citation Issued To/Liability

    Not addressed

    Image Taken

    Not addressed

    Penalties (Traditional Penalties)

    Per state law, convictions are not reported on driving record

    Red Light Cameras

    Violation/State Law

    Limited

    Permitted Locations/Criteria

    Statewide.

    Citation Issued To/Liability

    Not addressed

    Image Taken

    Not addressed

    Penalties (Traditional Penalties)

    Per state law, convictions are not reported on driving record

  • 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.
  • Work Zones

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    No