Handheld phone use in Louisiana
Handheld phone use while driving is illegal in Louisiana. That covers holding a phone to your ear, dialing by tapping the screen, and resting the phone in your lap to look at it. Hands-free use through a Bluetooth headset, the car's built-in system, or a single voice command is generally allowed for adult drivers.
Texting
Texting while driving is illegal in Louisiana for every driver, regardless of age and regardless of whether the phone is mounted or handheld. The statute covers SMS messages, emails, social-media posts, and reading messages — not just typing them. Louisiana treats texting as a primary offense, meaning an officer can stop you for it without observing any other violation.
For a deeper read on this topic across all 50 states, see our right-of-way, speed limits, and alcohol and drugs articles.
Stricter rules for new drivers
In Louisiana, drivers under 18 — and in most cases anyone holding a learner's permit or provisional license — may not use any wireless device while driving, even hands-free. A single citation for a new driver typically extends the supervised period and may push back the date you become eligible for a full license.
School zones and emergencies
Even where hands-free use is otherwise allowed, Louisiana prohibits any phone use in active school zones and construction zones. The exception in every state is true emergencies — calling 911 to report a crash, fire, medical emergency, or crime in progress is always allowed.
What the test asks
Cell-phone questions on the Louisiana permit exam usually present a scenario such as "You are driving with a learner's permit and need to call your parent" — the correct answer is to pull safely off the road first. Memorize the rule that applies to learner-permit holders and you will get those questions right.
Quick facts about Louisiana
- Capital: Baton Rouge
- Minimum permit age: 15
- Current permit fee: $32.25
- Supervised hold period: 180 days
- Adult BAC limit: 0.08% · Under-21 BAC: 0.02%
- Default speed limits: 70 mph rural Interstate, 60 mph urban Interstate, 25 mph residential, 20 mph school zone
- Handheld phone use: banned
- Vision standard: 20/40 acuity in at least one eye, corrected or uncorrected
- Reinstatement fee after suspension: $60
- Official source: LA OMV
Other Louisiana guides on PermitPrep
Each link below opens a dedicated Louisiana page. Every guide is built from the same official LA OMV handbook so the rules stay consistent across topics.
- Louisiana Permit Practice Test — Practice test for Louisiana drivers.
- Louisiana Driving Permit Guide — Permit guide for Louisiana drivers.
- Louisiana Road Signs Test — Signs test for Louisiana drivers.
- Louisiana Traffic Laws Summary — Traffic laws for Louisiana drivers.
- Louisiana Right-of-Way Rules — Right of way for Louisiana drivers.
- Louisiana Speed Limits Explained — Speed limits for Louisiana drivers.
- Louisiana DUI Laws — DUI laws for Louisiana drivers.
- Louisiana Parking Rules — Parking for Louisiana drivers.
Ready to test what you have learned? Take the free Louisiana permit practice test — 20 randomized questions, instant grading, full explanations.