Open Container Laws in Louisiana
Violating the open container law in Louisiana by having unsealed alcohol in the passenger area of your vehicle could result in a fine of up to $100.
Written by Kate Kirby
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Lousiana’s open container law states that it is unlawful to transport any alcohol that is not sealed in the passenger area of your car. Violators could be charged with a misdemeanor and fined up to $100.
Each state has its own unique regulations surrounding its open container laws. For that reason, it is important to understand what your state considers a violation of this law to be.
Luckily,
Jerry
, your car insurance
comparison guru, is here to go over all the specifics of the open container law in Louisiana, including the exceptions, penalties, and how to avoid a citation to keep your Louisiana insurance costs
low. RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
What is the open container law in Louisiana?
- There is alcohol in your vehicle that has been opened or is not in the original packaging
- You have the container located in the passenger area of your car
- The vehicle is operated on a public highway or right-of-way
Essentially, if you have any amount of alcohol in a container that has been opened and is located in the front seat area, you violate the Louisiana open container law. Alcoholic beverages need to be properly stowed away in either the trunk, a locked compartment, or a place in the car that is not readily accessible.
What counts as an open container?
The definition of an “open container” is actually a bit more complex than you’d imagine—it’s not just a container without a lid. Lousiana states that an open container is any beverage container where “the lid is removed, a straw protrudes therefrom, or the contents of the receptacle have been partially removed.”
As long as you keep any alcohol in its original packaging and stow it away in the trunk or under a back seat, you should be in the clear.
Exceptions to Louisiana’s open container law
Although this law is pretty straightforward in terms of what is expected to legally transport alcohol in your vehicle, there are some exceptions. In the following cases, passengers are legally allowed to carry open containers of alcohol if:
- Any person in the vehicle has a job where they need to transport open containers of alcohol
- Any person is a paid fair passenger on a contract carrier vehicle or courtesy vehicle
- It’s in a motor home over twenty-one feet in length
Key Takeaway In Louisiana, transporting unsealed alcohol in the passenger area of your vehicle will result in a fine of up to $100.
Penalties for violating Louisiana’s open container law
Violating the open container law in Louisiana is a misdemeanor, but if it’s the only law you broke, you’ll simply owe a fine of up to $100. If, on the other hand, you were drinking and driving at the time of the citation you’ll face some bigger consequences.
If you receive an operating while intoxicated offense, you’ll face up to six months in jail and a fine between $300 and $1,000. And if this is not your first offense, the penalties get more severe. In addition, if you refuse or fail a chemical test, your license will likely be suspended.
Your driving record isn’t the only thing that will take a beating from traffic violations and citations. Your insurance company will likely raise your rates significantly as a result of poor driving behavior, so it’s important that you understand the laws in Louisiana to avoid breaking them.
MORE:
Louisiana DUI laws
How to save money on car insurance in Louisiana
If you do have violations on your driving record, you probably think it’s impossible to get a good rate on your car insurance premium—but it's not!
Jerry
can help find you the best rate available, so you never overpay for car insurance again. It’s this simple: download Jerry's
trustworthy super app
or go to getjerry.com. In less than 45 seconds, Jerry collects all of your information from your existing insurer. Choose from competitive quotes from top insurance companies, and Jerry takes care of the rest—securing your new policy and helping you cancel your old one upon request. No long forms. No calling around. No hard work. Just savings. The average Jerry user saves $800+ a year on car insurance.
“My past tickets were making it hard to find affordable insurance. WithJerry, I went from paying $450/month to $273/month. They took care of everything—such a relief!” —Josephine R.
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds (Title in payload)
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversWho gets the ticket for an open container in Louisiana?
Both the driver and passengers are subject to getting a ticket for violating the open container law in Louisiana.
What happens if you deny a breathalyzer in Louisiana?
Refusing a breathalyzer test in Louisiana could result in your license being suspended.
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
4.7You might also be interested
