Louisiana’s striking bayous, delicious Cajun and Creole cuisine and rich musical history have drawn in visitors and transplants for years. Although some people associate this state with rowdy Mardi Gras celebrations, Louisiana has plenty of year-round family fun, too.
When you’re traveling around the state with your children, it’s important to make sure that your kids are protected in the event of an accident. One of the best ways to do so is to verify that you’re compliant with Louisiana car seat laws.
Overview of Louisiana Car Seat Laws
Like many states, Louisiana recognizes that children of different ages require different kinds of passenger restraint systems to be safe in a vehicle. Before they can legally ride in a standard vehicle seat (with no car seat or booster seat), a child must pass through three stages: a rear-facing car seat, a front-facing car seat and a booster seat.
Louisiana Car Seat Requirements by Age and Size
Louisiana car seat laws establish clear requirements for every type of car seat:
Rear-Facing Requirements
In Louisiana, children under two years old must be in rear-facing car seats.
Many states allow children under two years old to progress to a front-facing seat if they exceed the height and weight limits of the rear-facing car seat. However, Louisiana statutes specify that kids must both reach the age of two and exceed the weight or height limit of the car seat.
Forward-Facing Requirements
Kids who graduate to forward-facing car seats must remain in these seats until they have reached age four and exceeded the height or weight limit for the seat. From there, they must have a booster seat.
Booster Seat Requirements
A child can move from a booster seat to a standard seat belt when at least one of the following applies:
- They have reached the age of nine
- They exceed the booster seat’s height and/or weight limits
It’s important to note that children must wear seat belts in moving vehicles once they are eligible to move out of a booster seat.
When Can a Child Sit in the Front Seat in Louisiana?
Louisiana law requires children under age 13 to ride in the back seat of a vehicle as long as a back seat is available.
Penalties for Violating Car Seat Laws in Louisiana
If you violate car seat laws in Louisiana, you may owe a $100 fine. However, if the failure to secure your child results in injuries or other harm, you could face criminal charges.
Need Legal Help With a Car Seat Violation?
Whether you’re searching for the most experienced car accident lawyer New Orleans has to offer or just looking for advice for navigating a car seat ticket, ConsumerShield makes finding an attorney fast and easy. Fill out our contact form to start matching with nearby lawyers today!
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Usually, no. However, if you are charged with child endangerment or a similar offense, you could possibly face jail time.
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Louisiana’s seat belt law requires all vehicle occupants to wear seat belts — regardless of their age or where they’re sitting in the vehicle.
