Requirements guide
Understand age, height, weight, and seat belt fit.
Read requirementsState law page
Louisiana Booster Seat Laws & Requirements (2026)
Every driver in this state who transports a child/children under the age of eighteen years shall have the child properly restrained. | Under 2 yrs shall use a rear-facing child safety seat until outgrows the seat by height or weight. | Child at least 2 yrs or older and has reached the rear-facing weight or height limits shall use forward-facing child safety seat with an internal harness until the child reaches the weight or height limit. | Child at least 4 yrs and has outgrown the forward-facing weight or height limits shall be restrained in a belt-positioning child booster seat, secured with a vehicle lap-shoulder seat belt. | Child at least 9 yrs or has outgrown the height or weight limits of a child restraint or belt-positioning child booster seat shall be restrained with the motor vehicle's adult safety belt adjusted and fastened around the child's body to fit correctly. | Child younger than 13 yrs shall be transported in the rear seat of a motor vehicle in the most protective restraint system given the child’s height and weight.
| Field | Louisiana snapshot |
|---|---|
| Age requirement | Every driver in this state who transports a child/children under the age of eighteen years shall have the child properly restrained. | Under 2 yrs shall use a rear-facing child safety seat until outgrows the seat by height or weight. | Child at least 2 yrs or older and has reached the rear-facing weight or height limits shall use forward-facing child safety seat with an internal harness until the child reaches the weight or height limit. | Child at least 4 yrs and has outgrown the forward-facing weight or height limits shall be restrained in a belt-positioning child booster seat, secured with a vehicle lap-shoulder seat belt. | Child at least 9 yrs or has outgrown the height or weight limits of a child restraint or belt-positioning child booster seat shall be restrained with the motor vehicle's adult safety belt adjusted and fastened around the child's body to fit correctly. | Child younger than 13 yrs shall be transported in the rear seat of a motor vehicle in the most protective restraint system given the child’s height and weight. |
| Height requirement | See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. |
| Weight requirement | See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. |
| Fine / penalty | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. |
| Last checked | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 |
| Verification level | Index source; official state verification pending |
| Child restraint required | Every driver in this state who transports a child/children under the age of eighteen years shall have the child properly restrained. | Under 2 yrs shall use a rear-facing child safety seat until outgrows the seat by height or weight. | Child at least 2 yrs or older and has reached the rear-facing weight or height limits shall use forward-facing child safety seat with an internal harness until the child reaches the weight or height limit. | Child at least 4 yrs and has outgrown the forward-facing weight or height limits shall be restrained in a belt-positioning child booster seat, secured with a vehicle lap-shoulder seat belt. | Child at least 9 yrs or has outgrown the height or weight limits of a child restraint or belt-positioning child booster seat shall be restrained with the motor vehicle's adult safety belt adjusted and fastened around the child's body to fit correctly. | Child younger than 13 yrs shall be transported in the rear seat of a motor vehicle in the most protective restraint system given the child’s height and weight. |
| Adult safety belt permissible | At least 9 yrs, fits in an adult seat belt correctly, and must be in rear seat if possible. | Under 13 yrs and must be in rear seat if possible. |
| Verification level | Index source; official state verification pending |
Sources
Law and source links
Index source: https://www.ghsa.org/state-laws-issues/child-passengers
Statute/source text: GHSA child passenger law summary; Safe Kids state law tracker cross-check
Safety guidance
Even when Louisiana law allows a seat belt, NHTSA, CDC, and AAP guidance may still recommend a booster until the vehicle belt fits properly.
Age guide
See when children typically start and stop using boosters.
Read age guideForward-facing guide
Know when to move from harnessed seat to booster.
Read transition guide