Talking on the Phone and Texting While Driving in Louisiana

On August 1, 2025, a new Louisiana law took effect that bans all motorists from using a handheld cell phone for calls, texting, or social media while driving, with only a few exceptions. The severity of the penalties and law enforcement's ability to enforce the law depend on where the motorist is driving.

Louisiana's Distracted Driving Law

Louisiana's distracted driving law applies to all drivers, except law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS while performing official duties. The law prohibits drivers from operating a motor vehicle while holding a wireless telecommunication device. The law also makes it illegal to drive while using a handheld device to:

• engage in a call, which includes talking, listening, and entering names or telephone numbers to start a call
• write, send, or read a text-based communication, including instant messages, email, and regular text messages
• access, read, or post to social media
• access, post, or view videos or photographs, or
• browse the internet or other applications on the device.

In other words, this law prohibits all uses of handheld electronic devices while driving (with only a few exceptions discussed below). (La. Rev. Stat. § 32:59 (2025).)

Exceptions to the Distracted Driving Law

Louisiana's distracted driving law allows exceptions for using devices affixed to vehicles, hands-free devices, and handheld devices in some circumstances.

It's legal to use a wireless telecommunication device while operating a motor vehicle if:

• the device is hands-free, allowing the driver to engage in a conversation without using either hand
• the device is permanently affixed to the vehicle
• the device is a citizens band radio, or
• the driver is using a hands-free GPS (global positioning system).

It's legal to use a handheld device if:

• the vehicle is "lawfully stationary," meaning it's stopped legally in a lane of travel or on the shoulder of a road, or
• the driver is reporting an accident, road hazard, crime, or other emergency.

The law also makes an exception for using handheld devices while operating an autonomous vehicle—meaning a vehicle using a "high-or full-automation mode, without any supervision by a human operator." (La. Rev. Stat. §§ 32:1, 32:59 (2025).)

Enforcement of Distracted Driving

Generally, distracted driving is a secondary offense in Louisiana, meaning law enforcement can't pull someone over only for distracted driving. If officers see someone using a handheld phone, they can pull the motorist over and issue a citation for distracted driving only if there's another reason for a traffic stop—such as speeding. (La. Rev. Stat. § 32:59 (2025).)

However, distracted driving in a school or highway construction zone is a primary offense, meaning the police can pull someone over for distracted driving alone. In other words, an officer doesn't need another reason to pull a vehicle over if the driver is using a handheld device in a construction or school zone. (La. Rev. Stat. § 32:59 (2025).)

Penalties for Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is an infraction punishable by a fine. The penalties for distracted driving are higher if the offense occurs in a school or work zone.

General Penalties

For a violation of the distracted driving law, the motorist is looking at a $100 fine (or $50 and up to 15 hours of community service). If the driver is in an accident, the fine is $200. (La. Rev. Stat. § 32:59 (2025).)

Penalties for Distracted Driving in a School or Work Zone

The penalty for using a handheld device in a highway construction or school zone is $250 (or $100 and up to 15 hours of community service). If the driver is in an accident, the fine is $500. (La. Rev. Stat. § 32:59 (2025).)