Louisiana Car Seat Laws - Updated & Simplified
Table of Contents
Louisiana Car Seat Laws
Car Seat Laws in Louisiana (LA Statutes 32-295 and 32-295.1)
What do the child passenger restraint laws in Louisiana say?
- Every driver in this state who transports a child under the age of eighteen years shall have the child properly restrained according to the vehicle child safety seat manufacturer’s instructions as required by federal safety standards.”
- Infants and toddlers under 2 years of age shall be restrained in a rear-facing child safety restraint system until the child reaches the weight or height limit as determined by the car seat manufacturer.
- Toddlers and preschoolers between 2 and 4 years old and who have outgrown the weight or height limit for the rear-facing restraint system shall be restrained in a forward-facing child restraint with an internal harness system until the child reaches the weight or height limit as determined by the car seat manufacturer.
- Preschoolers and school-age children between 4 and 8 years old and have outgrown the weight or height limits for the forward-facing child restraint system as determined by the car seat manufacturer shall be restrained in a belt-positioning booster seat secured with a vehicle lap/shoulder seat belt according to the manufacturer’s instruction.
- School-age children who are at least 9 years old or have outgrown the weight or height limits of a child restraint system or a belt-positioning booster seat as determined by the car seat manufacturer shall be restrained with the vehicle’s safety seat belt that fits correctly.
- The safety seat belt fits correctly when the child’s back is against the vehicle seat, the child’s knees bend over the edge of the vehicle seat, the belt fits snugly across the thighs and lower hips, and not the child’s abdomen, and when the shoulder portion snugly crosses the center of the child’s chest and not the child’s neck.
- A child under 13 years shall be transported in the back seat and be restrained in a properly installed child restraint system, belt-positioning booster seat, or a safety seat belt.
More on the Law
- When the vehicle is equipped with an activated airbag, a child under 6 years or that weighs less than 60 lbs. shall ride in the back seat, if the back seats are available.
- When the number of children under 13 years is more than the available child restraint system available in a vehicle, the unrestrained children shall ride in the back seat, if the back seats are available.
- These laws are exempted for children who may have a physical or medical condition that may not allow the child to use a child restraint system or safety seat belt.
- Taxis are also exempted from the car seat laws.
- A first-time violation of the Louisiana state car seat laws shall attract a fine of $100.
- A second-time violation shall attract a fine of not less than $250 and not more than $500.
- A third-time or subsequent violation shall attract a fine of $500, including fees and court costs.
Louisiana Car Seat Laws Rear Facing
The state of Louisiana explicitly defines the different types of car seats accordingly and requires that a car seat be installed in the rear seat.
By state car seat laws, children under 2 years should ride in a rear-facing car seat installed in the back seat until they reach the weight and height limit as determined by the car seat manufacturer.
This law complies with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendation that rear-facing car seats should be used for infants and toddlers under 2 years.
The center rear is the safest spot in a vehicle to install a car seat. As such, you should consider installing your infant seat in this position.
Louisiana Car Seat Laws Forward Facing
Louisiana state car seat laws require that toddlers and preschoolers between 2 and 4 years who have outgrown the weight or height limits of a rear-facing car seat ride in a forward-facing car seat with an internal harness system.
By the law, you are also required to follow the weight and height limits as set by the car seat manufacturer.
Louisiana Booster Seat Laws
- Preschoolers and school-aged children between 4 and 8 years and have outgrown the weight or height limits for the forward-facing car seat shall be restrained in a belt-positioning booster seat secured with a lap/shoulder belt.
By this law, a child between 4 and 8 years old and has outgrown the forward-facing weight or height limits should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat secured by a combination of the lap and shoulder belt.
Louisiana Child Seat Belt Laws
The Louisiana State car seat laws require that children who are at least 9 years old or have outgrown the booster seat weight or height limits be restrained by a safety belt.
You should, however, check that the seat belt fits properly on your child. Otherwise, you allow more time for your child to grow to fit properly in a seat belt.
You should also follow the car seat manufacturer’s instructions on the weight and height limits.
Other Car Seat Laws You Need to Know About in Louisiana
Car Laws for Other Passengers in a Car
All other occupants of the car must make use of a seat belt.
Louisiana Car Seat Laws Front Seat – Can A Child Sit in The Front Seat?
Louisiana car seat laws explicitly mention that a child under 13 years shall be transported in the back seat….’
This is in accordance with the general law that requires children under 13 to ride in the back seat.
The legal age for a child to sit in the front passenger seat is 13 years.
Also, note that you should never install a rear-facing infant car seat in the front seat with an airbag activated. The back seat should be used, while the safest spot is the middle seat.
Louisiana Car Seat Laws for Ubers, Taxis, or Cabs
The state of Louisiana exempts taxis from the car seat laws.
However, it would be best to observe these laws when you board a taxi for your child’s safety.
It may be necessary you install your infant seat when you’re in a taxi or cab. You may do that without the base. This resource will help you install a car seat without base.
Can You Leave A Child in Your Car Alone in Louisiana?
Louisiana practice the “hot car” law that prohibits leaving a child unattended in a car.
Children aged 0-5 years should not be left unattended in a car for more than 10 minutes.
A violation of the law attracts a fine of up to $500 or up to six months imprisonment, or both for a first-time offense. Subsequent offense shall attract a fine of $1,000-$5,000 and up to 1-2 years imprisonment or both. – source
Smoking Around Children in Cars – is it illegal?
It is illegal to smoke in a car in Louisiana with a minor present.
The law states;
- It shall be unlawful to smoke cigarettes or any vaping devices in a vehicle when a minor under 18 years is present in such vehicle.
- A violation of this law shall be fined $150 per offense and may be sentenced to community service of no less than 24 hours.
It is also important to understand the dangers of secondhand smoke to a child’s health.
Secondhand smoke predisposes a child to many health risks that include severe asthma attacks, bronchitis, pneumonia, respiratory infections, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
As a parent, you must safeguard your child’s health and take it as a responsibility not to smoke when around them.
Getting Help in Louisiana
Here is a go-to resource for more help on any aspect (car seat installation, car seat inspection, etc.)
- NHTSA Car Seat Inspection Stations directory – here.
