Louisiana Open Container Laws and Violation Penalties

As in most other states, it's generally illegal in Louisiana to have an open container of alcohol in a vehicle. This article explains Louisiana's open container rules and the penalties for an open container ticket.

Louisiana's Open Container Law

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 to Louisiana's Open Container Restrictions

Louisiana's open container law contains a number of exceptions.

Louisiana Allows Open Container in 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.

Louisiana's Open Container Restrictions Don't Apply to Certain 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.

Louisiana's Open Container Exception for Frozen Drinks

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

New Orleans Louisiana Has Different Open Container Rules

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

Fines for Open Container Tickets in Louisiana

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.