Louisiana Legal Ages

Legal ages in Louisiana

1. Age 2

   • Rear-facing car seat age requirement ends

     The law requires a rear-facing seat until age 2; after that a child may ride forward-facing.

     From 2, a child moves to forward-facing once outgrowing the rear-facing seat.

     Louisiana law · La. R.S. 32:295(A)(1)

2. Age 5

   • Must be enrolled in school

     Louisiana requires children to attend school, or approved private or home instruction, from age 5.

     Applies to children who are 5 by September 30; a parent may defer kindergarten.

     Louisiana law · La. R.S. 17:221(A)(1)(b)

3. Age 9

   • Car seat or booster age requirement ends

     The child car seat or booster requirement ends at age 9; after that a seat belt can be used.

     Earlier once the child outgrows the booster.

     Louisiana law · La. R.S. 32:295(A)(4)

4. Age 14

   • Can work limited hours in non-hazardous jobs (federal rule)

     Federal law lets 14- and 15-year-olds work in permitted non-hazardous jobs, outside school hours and within weekly hour limits.

     Limits: no more than 3 hours on a school day and 18 hours in a school week; 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week when school is out; only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day) (29 C.F.R. 570.35).

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)

   • Can work (state minimum age)

     Louisiana bars work in any gainful occupation by minors under 14.

     Ages 12 and 13 may work for a parent who owns the business, under direct supervision and with a certificate.

     Louisiana law · La. R.S. 23:162(A)

5. Age 15

   • Can get a learner's permit

     Louisiana issues a Class E learner's license at 15 after driver education.

     Louisiana law · La. R.S. 32:407(A)(2)(a)

6. Age 16

   • Can work any non-hazardous job (federal rule)

     At 16, the general federal minimum working age applies: any job except those the Labor Department declares hazardous.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)

   • Can get a first license to drive alone

     An intermediate license for driving alone is available at 16 after 180 days on a learner license.

     Requires 50 hours of supervised driving and 180 days on the learner license (unless the driver turns 17 first).

     Louisiana law · La. R.S. 32:407(A)(3)

   • Court emancipation (adult status) can be sought

     A minor can petition a court to be declared emancipated starting at age 16.

     The court may order full or limited emancipation for good cause.

     Louisiana law · La. Civ. Code art. 366

   • Can make a will

     A person of sound mind can make a valid will at 16.

     From 16, a minor can make a will (a donation mortis causa); before 16, only in favor of a spouse or children.

     Louisiana law · La. C.C. art. 1476

   • Lowest marriage age with parent or court consent

     With a parent's consent and court authorization, the lowest age to marry is 16.

     A 16- or 17-year-old cannot marry someone 3 or more years older.

     Louisiana law · La. R.S. 9:221(B); La. Ch.C. art. 1545; Acts 2019 No. 401

   • Can pre-register to vote

     Louisiana lets 16-year-olds register to vote; no one under 18 may vote in any election.

     Louisiana law · La. R.S. 18:101(A)(3)

7. Age 17

   • Charged as an adult by default (juvenile court age ends)

     Louisiana tries people charged with a crime in adult court by default from age 17; younger defendants start in juvenile court.

     Louisiana returned to 17 on April 19, 2024, after treating 17-year-olds as juveniles from 2019 to 2024.

     Louisiana law · La. Ch.C. art. 804(1)(a)

8. Age 18

   • Can leave school (compulsory attendance ends)

     Louisiana's compulsory attendance requirement ends at the 18th birthday.

     The statute says "through eighteen" and ends the duty if the child graduates before the 18th birthday; we read it as until the 18th birthday.

     Louisiana law · La. R.S. 17:221(A)(1)(b)

   • No work permit needed

     Louisiana employers must keep a school-issued employment certificate on file for each minor under 18.

     Farm work, domestic service in private homes, performers and approved federal youth programs are exempt.

     Louisiana law · La. R.S. 23:151, 23:182

   • Can work in jobs federal law calls hazardous

     At 18, the federal bar on jobs the Labor Department declares hazardous for minors ends for non-farm work.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)

   • Can get a tattoo without a parent's consent

     From 18, a person can be tattooed without a parent's consent.

     Louisiana law · La. R.S. 14:93.2(A)

   • Becomes a legal adult (age of majority)

     State law makes a person a legal adult, with full rights to contract and sue, at 18.

     Louisiana law · La. Civ. Code art. 29

   • Can marry without a parent's consent

     A person can marry without a parent's or court's consent at 18.

     Louisiana law · La. Civ. Code art. 29 (age of majority; the marriage statute states only the under-majority exceptions)

   • Can vote

     The U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to vote at 18 in every federal, state and local election.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · U.S. Const. amend. XXVI, § 1

   • Must register with Selective Service (men)

     Men 18 through 25 who are U.S. citizens or live in the United States must register with the Selective Service System.

     Men admitted on a nonimmigrant visa are exempt while they keep that status (50 U.S.C. 3802(a)).

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 50 U.S.C. § 3802(a)

   • Can be called for state jury service

     A person can be called for state jury service from age 18.

     Louisiana law · La. C.Cr.P. art. 401(A)(1)-(6)

   • Can be called for federal jury service

     Federal courts may call U.S. citizens 18 or older who have lived in the judicial district for a year.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 28 U.S.C. § 1865(b)(1)

9. Age 21

   • Can drive a commercial truck across state lines

     Federal rules require drivers of commercial vehicles in interstate commerce to be at least 21.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 49 C.F.R. § 391.11(b)(1)

   • Can buy tobacco or vapes

     Federal law bars any retailer from selling cigarettes, vapes or other tobacco products to anyone under 21, in every state.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 21 U.S.C. § 387f(d)(5)

   • Can buy alcohol

     Federal highway funding law withholds funds from any state that lets anyone under 21 buy alcohol or possess it in public, so every state sets 21.

     Federal rules let states exempt possession (not purchase) for a religious purpose, with a parent, spouse or legal guardian 21 or older, for medical use, in private clubs, or in lawful employment (23 C.F.R. 1208.3).

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 23 U.S.C. § 158(a)

   • Can buy a lottery ticket

     State law bars anyone under 21 from buying a lottery ticket.

     Louisiana law · La. R.S. 47:9070

   • Under-21 credit card limits end (no cosigner or independent income needed)

     Under 21, a card issuer may open a credit card only with a cosigner or proof that you can repay on your own.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 15 U.S.C. § 1637(c)(8)

10. Age 24

    • Adult adoptee can get the original birth certificate

      An adult adoptee can request a copy of the original birth certificate from age 24.

      Louisiana law · La. R.S. 40:73(E)(1)

11. Age 25

    • Can serve in the U.S. House

      The Constitution sets 25 as the minimum age for the U.S. House of Representatives.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · U.S. Const. art. I, § 2, cl. 2

    • Can serve as governor

      Louisiana's constitution requires the governor to be at least 25 by the date of qualifying.

      Louisiana law · La. Const. art. IV, § 2

12. Age 30

    • Can serve in the U.S. Senate

      The Constitution sets 30 as the minimum age for the U.S. Senate.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · U.S. Const. art. I, § 3, cl. 3

13. Age 35

    • Can serve as President

      The Constitution sets 35 as the minimum age for President.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · U.S. Const. art. II, § 1, cl. 5

14. Age 62

    • Can start Social Security retirement benefits (reduced)

      Social Security retirement benefits can start at 62, permanently reduced.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · SSA, Retirement Benefits: Benefit reduction for early retirement

15. Age 65

    • Eligible for Medicare by age

      Medicare hospital insurance by age begins at 65 for people entitled, or who would be entitled, to Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · 42 U.S.C. § 426(a)

16. Age 67

    • Full Social Security retirement age (born 1960 or later)

      Full Social Security retirement age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · SSA, Full Retirement and Age 62 Benefit By Year Of Birth

17. Age 70

    • Can ask to be excused from jury service because of age

      From age 70, a person can ask to be excused from jury service because of age.

      People 70 and older may decline to serve or choose to serve.

      Louisiana law · La. Const. art. V, § 33(B)

18. Age 73

    • Retirement-account minimum withdrawals begin

      Required minimum distributions from traditional retirement accounts begin at 73 for people who turn 72 after 2022.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · 26 U.S.C. § 401(a)(9)(C)(v)

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