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Car seat laws in

Louisiana

apply to children up to the age of 18.

Violating Louisiana car seat laws will result in steep fines, so it’s important to understand how Louisiana’s laws apply to different age groups. Doing so will also keep child passengers protected from any bodily harm in the event of an accident.

That’s why the

car insurance

broker and comparison shopping app

Jerry

has compiled everything you need to know to adhere to Louisiana’s car seat laws.

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What is the car seat law in Louisiana?

If your child is under the age of 13, they are legally required to sit in the back seat of your car. This is to mitigate potential injuries they could sustain from your car’s airbag system, which is more dangerous to children.

Newborns and young children under 24 months of age must be secured in a compliant, rear-facing or convertible car seat. Children in this age group must be seated in the rear-facing position until they reach the appropriate age or weight as recommended by the car seat’s manufacturer.

Children between two and four years of age can sit face-forward in car seats with appropriate internal harnessing systems.

Children between one year old (or 20 pounds) and at least five years old (or 40 pounds) must be in a forward-facing car seat with a harness.

Children between the ages of four and nine must use a booster seat. These seats need to be used in conjunction with lap and shoulder safety belts.

Children between the ages of nine and thirteen may wear a seatbelt as long as they are of the appropriate height and weight. They are, however, legally required to sit in the back seat.

Teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18 may sit in the front seat of a car. They need to wear a seat belt.

Key Takeaway Children are required to be secured in a moving vehicle from when they are newborns until they are 18 years old.

MORE:

Louisiana seat belt laws—all you need to know

What are the penalties for breaking the car seat law in Louisiana?

If you’re found driving with a passenger under the age of 18 who is not properly secured in the car per Louisiana’s car seat laws, you will be fined $100 for the first offense.

A second offense will result in a $250 fine, and the third will result in a $500 fine.

If your child is restrained, but in the wrong system for their age or size, you will be fined $100.

MORE:

Tips to get a clean driving record

Can breaking the car seat law impact my driving record?

No, in the state of Louisiana, driving with an unsecured or improperly secured child is not considered a moving violation and it does incur any

points

on your driving record.

However, if you’re pulled over for a moving violation, i.e., speeding or texting while driving, noncompliance with these car seat laws will be considered a secondary offense.

MORE:

How do driver violation points affect your insurance rates?

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How breaking car seat laws can impact insurance in Louisiana

While breaking a car seat law is not considered a moveable offense in Louisiana, nor does it incur any points on your driving record, the citation does show up on your

driving record

and this might impact your insurance.

This is because your insurance company will consult your driving record when assessing your risk level as a driver. Having multiple citations on your record will signal to your insurance carrier that you are a

high-risk driver

and your premiums might increase as a result.

Key Takeaway Breaking Louisiana car seat laws might not earn you a point on your driving record, but it might still impact your insurance premium.

Finding cheap car insurance

Whether you’re a high-risk or low-risk driver, finding

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