Seat Belts
La. R.S. 32:295.1 — every driver and passenger is belted, and a first ticket is $50
Each driver and each occupant of a passenger car, van, sport utility vehicle or truck of 26,000 pounds or less has a safety belt fastened whenever the vehicle is moving forward, and a driver carries no more people than there are belts.
| Conviction | Fine |
|---|---|
| ConvictionFirst | Fine$50, court costs included |
| ConvictionSecond | Fine$75, court costs included |
| ConvictionThird or later | Fine$75 plus court costs |
No search for a seat belt. Probable cause rests only on an officer's clear and unobstructed view of someone unbelted, and an officer may not search or inspect the vehicle, its contents, the driver or a passenger solely because of a seat belt violation.
Sources for this section (1)
- La. R.S. 32:295.1 — Safety belt use; tags indicating exemption
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Louisiana attorney.