Louisiana Windshield Mounting Laws (2026 Guide)

Louisiana prohibits placing any object on the front windshield or front side windows that obstructs the driver's clear view under La. R.S. 32:361.1. No exemption exists for GPS units, dashcams, or phone mounts. Drivers must use a dashboard, vent clip, or console mount instead.

Louisiana takes a strict approach to windshield visibility. Under La. R.S. 32:361.1, drivers cannot place any object or material on the front windshield or front side windows that blocks or reduces the driver's clear view of the road. Unlike some states that carve out specific exceptions for GPS devices, dashcams, or phone mounts, Louisiana's statute contains no such exemption.

This guide covers the full scope of Louisiana's windshield mounting restrictions, window tint limits (including the 2025 change to front side window tint), the new hands-free driving law, penalties, exemptions, and practical steps for staying compliant.

What Louisiana Law Says About Windshield Obstructions

The primary statute governing windshield visibility in Louisiana is La. R.S. 32:361.1, titled "View outward or inward through windshield or windows; obscuring prohibited."

The law states that no person may operate a motor vehicle with any object or material placed on or affixed to the front windshield or front side windows of the vehicle so as to obstruct or reduce the driver's clear view through the front windshield or front side windows. It further prohibits placing or affixing any transparent material to the front windshield or front side windows if the material alters the color or reduces the light transmission.

This language is broad. It covers physical objects (suction cup mounts, stickers, hanging items) and applied materials (tint film, coatings) alike.

Items That Are Prohibited

Based on the statute's plain language, the following items are prohibited when they obstruct the driver's clear view through the front windshield or front side windows:

• GPS devices mounted on the windshield with suction cups
• Dashcams attached to the windshield in the driver's line of sight
• Phone mounts affixed to the windshield
• Decorative stickers or decals on the windshield
• Hanging objects from the rearview mirror (when they obstruct the view)
• Any tint film on the windshield beyond the permitted strip area

Items That Are Allowed

La. R.S. 32:361.1(C) lists exactly four situations the section does not apply to. A separate statute, La. R.S. 32:282(C), carries its own exception for required paperwork. The first four rows below come from 32:361.1(C); the last row does not:

A separate statute, La. R.S. 32:282, adds that no person may drive any vehicle with nontransparent material on the windshield, side wings, side or rear windows, other than a certificate or paper required by law or permitted by the secretary of public safety.

No GPS or Dashcam Exemption

Some states (such as California and Minnesota) specifically allow GPS units or other electronic devices to be mounted on the windshield in designated areas. Louisiana does not.

La. R.S. 32:361.1 does not mention GPS devices, dashcams, navigation systems, or any electronic device. There is no carve-out, no designated mounting zone, and no size limitation that would permit these devices on the windshield.

For drivers who rely on GPS navigation or want to use a dashcam, the safest legal option is to mount the device on the dashboard, on a vent clip, or in another location that does not involve the windshield or front side windows.

Dashcam Considerations

Dashcams are legal to own and operate in Louisiana. There is no state law prohibiting the use of a dashcam. The restriction applies only to where it is mounted. A dashcam placed on the dashboard or behind the rearview mirror (in a position that does not obstruct the driver's view) is generally acceptable.

La. R.S. 40:2552 addresses the use of motor vehicle dash cameras in a law enforcement context, confirming that dashboard-mounted camera systems are recognized and regulated under Louisiana law. For civilian use, the key rule remains: do not obstruct the windshield.

Louisiana Window Tint Requirements

La. R.S. 32:361.1 also regulates sun screening devices (window tint film). The 2025 legislative session brought a significant change to front side window tint limits through Act 143.

Current Tint Limits (Effective August 1, 2025)

What Act 143 of 2025 Changed

Before August 1, 2025, front side windows required at least 40% light transmission. Act 143 (House Bill 119), sponsored by Rep. Daryl Deshotel, lowered this to 25% VLT. The change brought front side windows in line with the existing 25% requirement for rear side windows.

The rear window limit of 12% VLT and the 20% maximum luminous reflectance remain unchanged.

Penalties for Tint Violations

Tint violations under La. R.S. 32:361.1 carry the following fines:

Sellers, installers, manufacturers, or distributors of noncompliant sun screening devices face steeper penalties: $1,000 for a first offense, $2,000 for a second offense, and prohibition from doing business for a third or subsequent offense.

Vehicles Manufactured Before 1994

La. R.S. 32:361.1(H) through (J) address older vehicles, and the net effect is that almost every vehicle on the road is covered. Subsection H applies the section to all vehicles manufactured on or after January 1, 1994, and Subsection J extends it, on and after January 1, 1994, to any other vehicle not covered by Subsection H or I. A pre-1994 vehicle is not exempt simply because of its age.

Subsection I is the only grandfather clause. A vehicle whose windows were tinted on or before December 31, 1993 in compliance with the law then in effect is exempt, provided the owner, operator, or licensee obtains a certificate confirming the tinting was done before January 1, 1994. The Office of Motor Vehicles sets the rules and the form for that proof. The certificate must be present in the vehicle at all times it is being operated and produced on demand by a law enforcement officer.

Medical Exemptions for Window Tint

Louisiana provides a medical exemption process under La. R.S. 32:361.2 for drivers or vehicle owners who need darker tint due to a medical condition.

How to Qualify

To obtain a medical exemption, the registered owner (or a spouse or family member who operates the vehicle) needs an affidavit signed by a licensed Louisiana optometrist or physician, including ophthalmologists and dermatologists. The affidavit must state that the person has a physical or medical condition involving the effects of the sun that makes darker window tint medically necessary.

Requirements for the Exemption

• The affidavit must reference World Health Organization ICD-recognized conditions
• For photophobia cases, the provider must explain why sunglasses alone are not sufficient and confirm that the tint will not impair nighttime driving
• The applicant must sign a notarized release authorizing disclosure of medical records
• A criminal background check is required; applicants with convictions for violent crimes or drug offenses are ineligible
• Louisiana State Police review each application on a case-by-case basis
• Most exemptions are reviewed every three years, except for light-sensitive porphyria (valid for the duration of vehicle ownership)
• A copy of the affidavit must remain in the vehicle at all times
• A decal from the Department of Public Safety must be displayed on the vehicle

Windshield Tint Under Medical Exemption

Even with a medical exemption, tint generally cannot be applied to the windshield beyond the top six inches. An exception exists for patients with light-sensitive porphyria, who may be authorized for additional windshield tinting.

Louisiana's Hands-Free Driving Law (Act 288 of 2025)

Effective August 1, 2025, Louisiana's hands-free law (La. R.S. 32:59) prohibits drivers from using any wireless telecommunications device while operating a motor vehicle on a public road or highway, unless the vehicle is lawfully stationary.

This law directly affects how drivers interact with GPS and phone devices while driving, making it an essential companion to the windshield mounting rules.

What the Law Prohibits

Under La. R.S. 32:59, drivers cannot:

• Hold or physically support a cell phone or wireless device while driving
• Make or receive phone calls without a hands-free accessory
• Send or read text messages
• Access social media
• View videos
• Manually enter data into the device

A "wireless telecommunications device" includes cellular phones, text-messaging devices, PDAs, and portable electronic devices used for writing, sending, or reading text or data. It does not include permanently installed vehicle components, hands-free accessories, CB radios, FCC-licensed amateur radios, or push-to-talk devices.

What Is Still Allowed

The law provides several exemptions:

• Using a hands-free accessory (speakerphone, Bluetooth earpiece, vehicle audio system) for calls
• Viewing GPS navigation data on a hands-free global positioning system
• Reporting traffic collisions, medical emergencies, or road hazards
• Calling 911
• Using a device while the vehicle is lawfully stationary (parked or at a red light)
• Transit or for-hire operators communicating via a device affixed to the vehicle
• Emergency vehicle operators acting in an official capacity

Penalties and Enforcement Timeline

Law enforcement issued only written warnings for violations occurring before January 1, 2026. Since that date, officers have been issuing citations with fines.

Community service is limited to 15 hours maximum and may be ordered in lieu of the full fine amount.

Officers may not search a vehicle or seize a device based solely on a violation of this law.

How Windshield and Hands-Free Laws Work Together

The combination of La. R.S. 32:361.1 (windshield obstruction) and La. R.S. 32:59 (hands-free) creates a specific framework for Louisiana drivers:

1. You cannot mount a phone or GPS on your windshield (La. R.S. 32:361.1 prohibits windshield obstructions).
2. You cannot hold your phone or GPS while driving (La. R.S. 32:59 requires hands-free operation).
3. You can view GPS navigation on a hands-free device that is not mounted on the windshield.

The practical solution is a dashboard mount, vent clip mount, or console mount that keeps the device within view but off the windshield and out of your hands.

Penalties for Windshield Obstruction Violations

La. R.S. 32:361.1(E) sets the fine for a driver who violates the section. The figures are ceilings, not fixed amounts, and the statute leaves the actual amount to the court:

Court costs are added on top of the base fine and vary by parish. In practice, total costs for a first offense typically run between $150 and $200 including court fees.

A separate statute, La. R.S. 32:282 (obstruction to driver's view or driving mechanism), reinforces the windshield rules. Under that provision, no person may drive with nontransparent material on the windshield, side wings, side or rear windows, other than certificates or papers required by law.

Other Louisiana Driving Laws to Know

Louisiana has several related statutes that affect how drivers equip and operate their vehicles:

• Louisiana Recording Laws cover consent requirements for dashcam audio recording. Louisiana is a one-party consent state.
• Louisiana Car Seat Laws require child safety seats for children based on age and size.
• Louisiana Hit and Run Laws outline the penalties for leaving the scene of an accident.
• Louisiana Lemon Law protects buyers of defective new vehicles.

Summary of Key Louisiana Statutes

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mount a GPS or phone on my windshield in Louisiana?

No. La. R.S. 32:361.1 prohibits placing any object on the front windshield that obstructs or reduces the driver's clear view. Louisiana does not provide an exemption for GPS devices, phone mounts, or navigation systems. The safest legal option is a dashboard mount or vent clip.

Are dashcams legal in Louisiana?

Dashcams are legal to own and use in Louisiana. However, they cannot be mounted on the windshield in a position that obstructs the driver's view under La. R.S. 32:361.1. Mount the dashcam on your dashboard or behind the rearview mirror to stay compliant.

What is the darkest legal window tint in Louisiana?

As of August 1, 2025, front side windows require at least 25% light transmission (25% VLT). Rear side windows also require 25% VLT. The rear window requires at least 12% VLT. No tint is allowed on the windshield except a non-red, non-amber transparent strip on the top five inches. Maximum luminous reflectance is 20% for all windows.

Can I hold my phone while driving in Louisiana?

No. Under La. R.S. 32:59 (effective August 1, 2025), drivers cannot hold or physically support a wireless device while driving on any public road. Hands-free use is permitted, including speakerphone, Bluetooth, and hands-free GPS navigation. Fines range from $100 to $250, and citations have been issued since January 1, 2026.

How do I get a medical exemption for darker window tint in Louisiana?

Under La. R.S. 32:361.2, you need a signed affidavit from a licensed Louisiana optometrist or physician stating you have a medical condition related to sun sensitivity. The application requires a notarized release, a background check, and review by Louisiana State Police. If approved, a decal is issued for the vehicle and a copy of the affidavit must be kept in the vehicle at all times.