No. Louisiana law prohibits any activity that distracts from safe driving, including applying makeup. The state’s distracted driving statute, RS 32:295.1, explicitly bans “any activity that is not necessary to operate a motor vehicle” while driving. Local courts have upheld citations for makeup application under this statute.
Key Regulations for Applying Makeup While Driving in Louisiana
- RS 32:295.1 (Distracted Driving Statute): Prohibits any non-driving activity that impairs vehicle control or attention, including makeup application. Violations carry fines up to $250 for first offenses.
- Local Ordinances (e.g., Orleans Parish): Municipalities may impose additional penalties; Orleans Parish enforces stricter distracted driving enforcement through its traffic court system.
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: Louisiana’s Department of Public Safety plans to expand distracted driving education campaigns, targeting cosmetic-related distractions as part of a broader 2026 safety initiative.
Enforcement prioritizes visible impairment or erratic driving, but officers may cite makeup application as a primary offense if it demonstrably contributes to unsafe operation. Courts have rejected arguments that makeup is a “necessary” activity under the statute. Commercial drivers face heightened scrutiny under federal regulations (49 CFR § 392.82), which prohibit all non-driving tasks while operating a CMV.