The possession or drinking of alcoholic beverages is legal in Louisiana in certain situations. These include with a spouse, parent, or guardian who is aged 21 or older. It can also be for religious purposes, in a private residence, and while employed by a licensed business. New Orleans may look like party central yet there are plenty of Louisiana liquor laws and regulations that apply to alcohol in the “Big Easy.”

In this guide, we will look at the liquor laws and regulations in Louisiana.

General Liquor Laws And Regulations In Louisiana

To be old enough to serve alcoholic beverages or tend bar, you have to be at least 18 years old in Louisiana. A supervisor must be present though it remains illegal to buy alcohol if you are under 21.

When it is done with a fake ID then it counts as a criminal offense that can lead to the suspension of an offender’s driving license.

It is worth bearing in mind that alcohol restrictions may vary across counties as some will require bars to be closed at 2am. A lot of parishes in the state will restrict alcohol sales on Sunday, predominantly in the north of the state.

Be wary if you buy alcohol for a minor as, even accidentally, you could face a fine of between $500 and $1,000 with a jail term between 30 days and six months.

Buying Alcohol In Louisiana

There are restrictions on the purchase of alcohol in Louisiana which can prevent the sale on Sundays in certain parishes. Grocery stores, liquor stores, and gas stations can sell alcoholic beverages including beer, wine, and liquor 24 hours a day.

It remains relatively easy to buy a beer in a brewery taproom, bar, or restaurant as the curfew is 2am though such establishments in New Orleans can be open 24 hours a day.

Though there is no statewide law prohibiting the sale of off-premise alcohol, a lot of municipalities ban or restrict its hours of sale.

As well as it being illegal for anyone under 21 years of age to buy alcohol, they largely cannot possess it in public either. There are exceptions yet the purchase, and/or unlawful consumption of alcohol does come with heavy penalties.

These can include a fine of up to $100 and a jail term amounting to six months while the court could suspend the offender’s driving license for up to 180 days.

Driving While Intoxicated In Louisiana

It is, understandably, illegal to drive while under the influence in Louisiana which means having your blood alcohol concentration level of at least 0.08%. This is even lower at 0.02% for anyone under 21 years old, however, for commercial drivers, the threshold is 0.04%.

Both alcohol and over-the-counter drug intoxication can lead to a driving while intoxicated conviction. Certainly, if the drug label warns combining the drugs with alcohol though controlled substances on their own can result in a driving while intoxicated conviction.

For a first driving while intoxicated conviction, an offender can expect up to six months jail time. A fine up to $1,000 would apply, as well as court costs, and the suspension of their driver’s license for a year.

Proof of an increased insurance lasting for three years and a fee for license reinstatement will cost $100.

A second driving while intoxicated conviction will come with hefty penalties starting with 48 hours in jail and a possible additional six months in jail.

There is typically a fine up to $1,000 with the addition of court costs and the suspension of a driver’s license for up to two years. Proof of an increased insurance also lasts for three years while the driving license reinstatement fee is up to $200.

State Fees

At a federal and state level in Louisiana, alcoholic beverages like beer, wine, and liquor are all subject to excise taxes. These are applied per gallon and are collected from the individual merchants and not the customer.

For wine, the excise tax is $0.11 per gallon, beer is $0.32 per gallon, and liquor has an excise tax of $2.50 per gallon.

Licensing Requirements/Distillery Restrictions

Micro-distilling without the required license will be illegal at a federal level. This typically includes Class A retail outlets that distil, blend, rectify, or process an alcoholic beverage in a quantity below 12,000 gallons every year.

That alcoholic beverage can be sold for retail and consumed on or off the premises. A microdistillery permit is required, as is a Class A retail permit for the same premises.

There is a range of licensing permits available for various types of alcohol retail. These are available from the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control.

There are applications for beer manufacturers, malt beverage wholesalers, home brewers, liquor wholesalers, and liquor manufacturers.

Final Thoughts

Many parts of Louisiana have areas which allow for boating and it is important to remember that operating a vessel while intoxicated is an offense. That includes boats as well as surfboards, and water skis.

The blood alcohol concentration for intoxication also remains at 0.08%. Penalties for operating a boating vessel while intoxicated include a fine up to $1,000 and jail time for up to six months.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Penalties Can Anyone Committing Their Third Driving While Intoxicated Conviction Expect In Louisiana?

You can expect some substantial penalties for anyone with a third driving while intoxicated conviction. These will typically include at least a year of jail time with a possible five years in prison and even home confinement.

The fine can amount to up to $2,000 with additional court costs and the suspension of a driver’s license for up to three years with possible vehicle confiscation thrown in.

As well as proof of an increased insurance for three years, the driving license reinstatement fee will be $300 with a requirement of four weeks in an inpatient substance abuse program then a further four weeks spent in an substance abuse program for outpatients.

Which Further Penalties Can Be Associated With A Driving While Intoxicated Conviction In Louisiana?

Offenders convicted of a driving while intoxicated conviction can expect to pay all their incurred costs. The judge can also mandate community service and enrollment in a driver improvement program.

The driver’s license can be automatically revoked which would also revoke a boating license. Any individual who causes death while driving intoxicated can expect to face up to 30 years in prison.