Louisiana Driving Laws| Cell Phone | Text Messaging | Hands Free

Driving & Cell Phones in Louisiana

There are 4 separate Cell Phone / Text Messaging Laws in effect in the State of Louisiana. The 4 new driving laws are outlined below.

The Louisiana Text Messaging Ban & Novice Cell Phone Law

Act No. 665, also known as Senate Bill 137 is Louisiana's new Text Messaging and Cell-Phone law. The new driving laws Prohibits Text Messaging by all Drivers and limits the use of Cell Phones by novice drivers.

Novice driver's in Louisiana that hold a Class "E" learner's license are prohibited from making calls on a cell-phone or any wireless telecommunication device while driving unless the communication device is a Hands-Free device.

If you are ticketed for a violation of these new cell phone laws you will receive a fine up to $175 for your first offense and up to a $500 fine for your second and subsequent offenses. If you are involved in a traffic accident and the law enforcement official determines you were in violation of this law when the accident occurred, the fine will be doubled.

There are exceptions to the new driving laws in emergency situations and for law enforcement personnel, please use our source links at the end of this page for details.

One of the other new laws is Act No. 666, also known as Senate Bill 159. This new Louisiana Cell Phone law prohibits minors (17 years old and under) from using any type of wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle.

This includes text-messaging and cell-phone use. Devices not included in the new driving law are Push-to-Talk devices, Commercial Two-Way Radios and Citizen Band Radios.

If you are ticketed for a violation of these new cell phone laws you will receive a fine up to $100 for your first offense and up to a $250 fine for your second and subsequent offenses. If you are involved in a traffic accident and the law enforcement official determines you were in violation of this law when the accident occurred, the fine will be doubled.

There are other exceptions to the laws in emergency situations for law enforcement personnel, please use our source links at the end of this page for details.

Louisiana Cell Phone Law for the First Time License Holder

Act No. 667, also known as Senate Bill 342 prohibits a first time license holder from using a Cell phone for any purpose while operating a motor vehicle. The newly licensed driver cannot use a cell phone while driving for 1 year from the date the license was issued. This new driving law does not apply to the first time State of Louisiana license holder who was legally licensed in another state.

If you are ticketed for a violation of these new cell phone laws you will receive a fine up to $100 or be sentenced to sixteen hours of community service or both for your first offense and up to a $250 fine for your second or subsequent offenses. If you are involved in a traffic accident and the law enforcement official determines you were in violation of this law when the accident occurred, the fine will be doubled.

This new Louisiana driving law is a secondary offense, meaning that you will only be ticketed if you have been pulled over for a primary offense such as speeding or running a red light.

Like the other new laws above there are other exceptions to the laws in emergency situations and for law enforcement personnel, please use our source links at the end of this page for details.

The Louisiana School Bus Driver Cell Phone Law

Act No. 335 , also known as House Bill 402 prohibits School Bus drivers from engaging in calls on a Cellular phone while driving the School Bus. The new Louisiana Driving Law does provide exceptions for emergency situations.

For More information on the new Louisiana Cell Phone laws please visit the source documents below from the State of Louisiana's Legislative Website.

Act No. 665 Text Messaging and Cell Phone Law for Novice Drivers Source

Act No. 666 Cellular Phone Law for Minors Source Document

Act No. 667 Cellular Phone Law For First Time License Holders Source

Act No. 355 Cellular Phone Law for School Bus Drivers