Louisiana Open Container Laws and Penalties

Learn about Louisiana’s open container rules and the consequences of a conviction.

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Louisiana law prohibits any person from transporting an alcoholic beverage in a vehicle operated on a public highway if:

  • the beverage is open or has a broken seal, or
  • the contents of the beverage have been partially removed.

These restrictions generally apply to all persons within the car, including the driver and passengers.

Exceptions

Certain vehicles. Louisiana's open container law isn't applicable to passengers riding in certain types of vehicles, including limousines, RVs (in excess of 21 feet in length), and buses.

Areas of the vehicle. The open container restrictions don't apply to items in the trunk of the car, behind the back seat, in a locked glove box, or in other areas of a vehicle not normally occupied by or readily accessible to the driver or passengers. Open alcohol containers are also permitted for passengers on parade floats.

Frozen beverages. Louisiana is home to unique "frozen-daiquiri shops" that sell frozen alcoholic drinks from a drive-through window. Possession of frozen alcohol drinks in a vehicle is permitted as long as the cup has a lid, has no straw protruding the top, and has not had any contents removed.

New Orleans. The City of New Orleans has its own unique laws regarding when and where alcohol can be consumed.

Fines

An open container violation is a misdemeanor in Louisiana. A conviction will result in a fine of up to $100 but no jail time. A person may be arrested for an open container violation but generally must be released (as opposed to being taken to jail) unless other circumstances exist that justify further detention.

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