Louisiana is one of the most diverse states in the United States, and you will see this reflected in their laws as well. Louisiana has specific laws that govern car seats for infants and children. These car seat laws are very specific and there are a lot of things to keep in mind when purchasing a car seat for your child. Here is what you need to know about the Louisiana car seat law.
- Louisiana Car Seat Laws
- Louisiana Infant/Toddler Car Seat Law
- Louisiana Rear-facing Car Seat Law
- Louisiana Forward-facing Car Seat Law
- Louisiana booster seat law for young kids
- Requirements for children to use the front seat in Louisiana
- Taxi Car Seat Law in Louisiana
- Louisiana car seat replacement law after Accident
- Law on leaving a child in a car in Louisiana
- Legal Fees For Louisiana Car Seat Laws
- When Can My Child Sit in the Front Seat in Louisiana?
- Is it Illegal to Smoke in a Car with a Child in Louisiana?
- Car Seat Inspections Help in Louisiana
- Child passenger safety-related videos
- More information and resources about car seat safety Louisiana
- USA Child Passenger Safety Laws by State
- Best Car Seats of 2022: Ranked by Our Experts
- Find trusted locals for your every need
Louisiana Car Seat Laws
“Every driver in this state who transports a child or children under the age of eighteen years in a motor vehicle that is in motion and is required by federal safety standards to be equipped with a safety belt system or lower anchors and tethers for children in a passenger seating position shall have the child properly restrained according to the vehicle and child safety seat manufacturer’s instructions.”
Louisiana Infant/Toddler Car Seat Law
If your little one is an infant or less than 2 years old, you have to use an infant car seat. infant seat must be installed in the back seat of a vehicle. This way, the infants will get maximum protection, and even if they were in a vehicle accident, nothing bad would happen to them.
Louisiana Rear-facing Car Seat Law
The Law says,
“A child who is younger than the age of two years shall be restrained in a rear-facing child restraint system that complies with all applicable federal regulations until the child reaches the weight or height limit of the child restraint system as set by the manufacturer.”
Louisiana Forward-facing Car Seat Law
A child who has outgrown the rear-facing seat is usually switched to a forward-facing seat at around the age of two. The forward-facing car seat must be used until the age of four, according to law. An internal harness system should be available in the front seat by law.
Louisiana booster seat law for young kids
After four years of age, children are ready to use booster seats. The lap-shoulder seat belt must be used with the booster seat. According to legislation, a booster seat should be used until the age of nine.
Types of booster seats:
- High-back booster seats – If your car’s seat back is lower than your child’s ears, you have to use a high-back booster seat to protect your child’s head and neck.
- Backless booster seats – If your car’s seat back is higher than your child’s ears, you can use a backless booster seat.
Requirements for children to use the front seat in Louisiana
The minimum age for a front-seat passenger in Louisiana is 13, as determined by many vehicle manufacturers who declare that children can ride safely in the front seat.
All children under the age of 13 should ride in the back seat if one is available, according to the law. This is in agreement with most authorities who believe that allowing a child to sit in front endangers his or her safety. This is due to the fact that front seat airbags are intended for normal-sized adults and may be deadly to children when deployed in a collision.
Taxi Car Seat Law in Louisiana
Taxis are not required to follow Louisiana’s car seat law. However, you must still bring a child car seat or a booster. It is best to protect your child when they ride in a taxi.
Louisiana car seat replacement law after Accident
There is no federal legislation addressing the replacement of child safety seats.
However, “NHTSA recommends that car seats be replaced following a moderate or severe crash in order to ensure a continued high level of crash protection for child passengers. Car seats do not automatically need to be replaced following a minor crash.”
Law on leaving a child in a car in Louisiana
It is illegal to leave a kid alone in a vehicle. You may be fined $500 or sentenced to six months in jail for your first offense. For the second time, you can be incarcerated for one year and fined $1,000 imposed on you. We strongly advise against leaving a child alone in a car.
Legal Fees For Louisiana Car Seat Laws
You may face fines of $100 for failing to use a child restraint system for the first time, $250 to $500 for a second offense, and $500 plus court costs for each additional occurrence. You may be fined between $100 and $1,000 if you fail to use an appropriate child restraint system.
You will be fined $50 for failing to use a safety belt and must pay court costs for the first offense; $75 for the second, plus additional fees if you get caught again. You may only be stopped and fined for violating the Child Passenger Restraint System Law once in 24 hours.
When Can My Child Sit in the Front Seat in Louisiana?
Kids can travel in a front seat of a car when they are at least 13 years.
The law in Louisiana states that children under the age of 13 are not allowed to sit in the front seat of a vehicle. This is because children’s bodies are still growing and they may not be able to handle a seat belt properly.
However, this law does not apply if there is an airbag installed on the front passenger side of the vehicle. If your child meets these requirements, then they can ride in the front seat as long as they do not obstruct the driver’s view or interfere with driving.
Is it Illegal to Smoke in a Car with a Child in Louisiana?
Yes. It is illegal to smoke in a vehicle with a child passenger. As the car seat safety legislation states, smoking is not permitted within vehicles with children passengers.
A $150 fine will be imposed on anyone who breaks this car seat safety law, and the court will convict him or her with a 24-hour community service sentence. If you want to avoid this problem, do not smoke in the vehicle with children.
Car Seat Inspections Help in Louisiana
Louisiana State Police:
Sergeant Josh Van Etta
Louisiana State Police – Troop C
4047 West Park Avenue
Gray, LA 70359
Phone: (985) 857-3680
Fax: (985) 857-3679
Child passenger safety-related videos
Louisiana Child Passenger Safety Law
Louisiana Child Passenger Safety Law – Rear-Facing Car Seat
Louisiana Child Passenger Safety Law – Forward-Facing
Louisiana Child Passenger Safety Law – Booster Seat
More information and resources about car seat safety Louisiana
USA Child Passenger Safety Laws by State
FIND YOUR STATE’S CAR SEAT LAWS
Click on your state on the map below to see your state’s car seat law
Best Car Seats of 2022: Ranked by Our Experts
Read More:
