Seat belts and child seats in Louisiana (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: In Louisiana every occupant must wear a seat belt, and police may stop a vehicle for this alone. Children ride in rear-facing, forward-facing and booster seats by age and size, and use the adult belt from age 9 or when they have outgrown the booster; children under 13 sit in the rear seat when one is available. A first seat-belt offence costs $50 including court costs.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Seat belt compulsory in front seatsPassenger cars | Yes [1] |
| Seat belt compulsory in rear seatsPassenger cars | Yes [1] |
| Child restraint required untilPassenger cars | Under 2: rear-facing child restraint. From 2: forward-facing seat with internal harness. From 4, once outgrown: belt-positioning booster. Adult belt from age 9 or once the seat or booster limits are outgrown. [2] |
| Children in the front seatPassenger cars | A child younger than 13 must be transported in the rear seat of the vehicle when one is available. [2] |
| Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars | No [2] |
| Can police stop you for this alone?Passenger cars | Primary enforcement: probable cause is based solely on an officer's clear and unobstructed view of an unrestrained person. Police may not search the vehicle or its occupants solely because of a seat-belt violation. [1] |
| Booster seat untilPassenger cars | A child of at least 4 who has outgrown the forward-facing harness seat must ride in a belt-positioning booster seat with a lap-shoulder belt. The child moves to the adult safety belt from age 9 or once the booster's height or weight limit is outgrown. [2] |
| Fine for not wearing a seat beltPassenger cars | $50 for a first offence, including court costs; $75 for a second offence. In Orleans Parish an extra $20 is assessed for each violation. [1] |
Notes
- The belt duty covers passenger cars, vans, SUVs and trucks of 26,000 pounds or less manufactured from 1 January 1981. Children under 13 are covered by R.S. 32:295.
- The rule applies when the front passenger airbag is activated and a rear seat is available: a child younger than 6 or under 60 pounds must then ride in the rear seat. Rear-facing seats are not mentioned separately.
Sources
- Louisiana State Legislature: RS 32:295.1 Safety belt use; tags indicating exemption (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Louisiana State Legislature: RS 32:295 Child passenger restraint system (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Louisiana and neighbouring states
| State | Seat belt compulsory in front seats | Seat belt compulsory in rear seats | Child restraint required until | Children in the front seat | Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbag |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | Yes, every occupant | Yes, every occupant | Seats by age; adult belt from age 9 or when outgrown | Under 13 in rear seat when available | No if airbag active and rear seat available (under 6/60 lb) |
| Arkansas | Yes | Under 15 only | Under 6 and under 60 lb: child seat; under 15 restrained | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Mississippi | Yes, operator and passengers | ⚠ Not yet verified | Seat under 4; booster age 4-6 under 4 ft 9 in or 65 lb | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Texas | Yes | Yes | Under 8, unless taller than 4 ft 9 in | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Louisiana
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Fine up to $100 (14 g or less) · Growing at home: Production is an offence
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 55 mph unless posted lower · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph unless posted lower
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (intermediate licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 (learner's licence)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1, 2, 3 (bicycle) · Minimum age: Class 3: 12
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (permitted retailers, set periods) · Minimum age to buy: 15
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Not named; concealed "dangerous weapon" banned · Locking or one-handed knives: No separate rule; dangerous-weapon rule applies
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: No · Current adult minimum wage (gross): Federal $7.25 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Hands-free calls allowed
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 (no purchase or public possession under 21) · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21 (no purchase or public possession under 21)
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% under 21
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.