New Road Rules Now In Effect

Press Release: December 18, 2025

A REMINDER TO DRIVERS OF NEW ROAD RULES NOW IN EFFECT

Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz would like to inform drivers that 7 new road rules have taken effect
over the last few months.

1. The “Hands-Free” law (from House Bill 519) – This law prohibits drivers from holding a
   handheld cellular device while driving on public roads. This includes making or
   receiving calls, texting or typing, browsing apps or social media and holding the device
   for navigation. Penalties are $100 on first offense and $300 and potential license
   suspensions on repeat offenses. Fines increase in school and construction zones.
2. Senate Bill 11, which we’ll call the “Left Lane Bandit” law, prohibits drivers from
   driving in the left lane at speeds more than 10 mph below the posted limit. First offense
   fines are $150, increased to $250 on second offense and $350 on the third offense, with
   the potential for imprisonment.
3. House Bill 119 regulates the legality of certain window tint percentages, easing
   restrictions by changing the amount of light transmission from 45% to 25%; this means
   you can have a darker tint on the front windows. Fines start at $150 and can go up to
   $350 as repeat offenses occur. Manufacturers can also face fines, starting at $1,000 and
   potentially result in the company being prohibited from doing further business.
4. House Bill 434 is the “No Pay, No Play” rule, aimed at further punishing uninsured
   drivers who get into an accident. Even if not at fault, uninsured drivers will now need to
   pay out-of-pocket for damages up to and including $100,000 for bodily injury and
   property damage, up form the previous limits of $15,000 and $25,000 respectively.
5. Louisiana updated learners permit guidelines, with drivers aged 15 to 17 now needing to
   first complete driver’s education, written exam and vision exam to secure a Temporary
   Instructional Permit (TIP).

6. Only after meeting all guidelines and securing a TIP, young drivers can then begin
   accumulating 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including nighttime driving, with a
   licensed parent or guardian aged 21 or older, or a licensed sibling aged 18 or older.
7. House Bill 35 focused on the state’s mandatory minimums for hit-and-run offenses,
   upping the minimum to two years in prison, with or without hard labor, without eligibility
   for parole, probation or suspension of sentence.
   All of us or our families have experienced the tragic, severe injury or loss of loved ones in
   motor vehicle incidents. We implore everyone to please drive safely, be courteous to others
   on the road and enjoy the holiday season.