Seat Belt Laws in the U.S.
↪ View Your State’s Seat Belt Laws
Seat belt laws are created to protect the lives of both the driver and their passengers. There is very little information out there to suggest that you shouldn’t wear a seatbelt whenever you’re in a moving vehicle. The idea that you would be safer if you were thrown from the car in an accident is a myth that has been debunked by a vast amount of experimental and anecdotal evidence.
Cars are getting bigger, collisions more violent, and the force your body generates in an accident can be up to five thousand pounds depending on your size. There isn’t really any good reason not to wear your seatbelt.
Primary Enforcement Vs Secondary Enforcement
If you need a better reason to buckle up, consider this: in 49 states (all except New Hampshire), it is a misdemeanor to not buckle your seat belt. In 34 of those states, including Washington D.C., you can be pulled over just for not wearing one. This is referred to as primary enforcement.
The remaining 15 states assign secondary enforcement for being unbelted (that is, if you get pulled over for something else and you’re not wearing your safety belt, you can be in more trouble for that). New Hampshire does not currently have a seat belt law in place. Backseat seat belt enforcement also varies as a primary and secondary offense from state to state. Find out more about your state’s safety belt laws below.
Federal Seat Belt Laws in the USA
Under federal law, all vehicles except buses must have a three-point restraint system. This means a lap belt and shoulder belt must be available – and worn – by all front-seat passengers. Beyond that, seatbelt laws vary significantly by state, and whether you must wear a seatbelt may depend on your age or where you’re sitting in the car. Check your own local polices – these laws vary widely.
Seat Belt Laws by State
Find your state below to see what safety belt laws are currently in place and what the penalties may be if you are caught not wearing one.
Alabama Seat Belt Laws
Alabama’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is only for front seat riders that are 15 years of age or older. Children under the age of 15 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $25.
For More Information on Alabama Traffic Laws Visit: Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs or check out our Alabama Auto Insurance Page
Alaska Seat Belt Laws
Alaska’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all riders, front seat and back, that are 16 years of age or older. Children under the age of 16 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $15.
For More Information on Alaska Traffic Laws Visit: Alaska Highway Safety Office or check out our Alaska Auto Insurance Page
Arizona Seat Belt Laws
Arizona’s seat belt law holds secondary enforcement. This is for front seat riders that are 8 years of age or older and back seat between the ages of 8 and 15. Children under the age of 8 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $10.
For More Information on Arizona Traffic Laws Visit: Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety or check out our Arizona Auto Insurance Page
Arkansas Seat Belt Laws
Arkansas’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all riders that are 16 years of age or older in all seats. Children under the age of 16 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $25.
For More Information on Arkansas Traffic Laws Visit: Arkansas Highway Safety Office or check out our Arkansas Auto Insurance Page
Califronia Seat Belt Laws
California’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all riders that are 16 years of age or older in all seats. Children under the age of 16 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $20.
For More Information on California Traffic Laws Visit: California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) or check out our California Auto Insurance Page
Colorado Seat Belt Laws
Colorado’s seat belt law holds secondary enforcement. This is for all riders that are 16 years of age or older in the front seat. Children under the age of 16 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $71.
For More Information on Colorado Traffic Laws Visit: Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) or check out our Colorado Auto Insurance Page
Connecticut Seat Belt Laws
Connecticut’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all riders that are 8 years of age or older in the front seat. Children under the age of 8 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $50.
For More Information on Connecticut Traffic Laws Visit: Connecticut Department of Transportation
Delaware Seat Belt Laws
Delaware’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all riders that are 16 years of age or older in all seats. Children under the age of 16 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $25.
For More Information on Delaware Traffic Laws Visit: Delaware Office of Highway Safety
District of Columbia Seat Belt Laws
Washington D.C.’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all riders that are 16 years of age or older in all seats. Children under the age of 16 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $50.
For More Information on District of Columbia Traffic Laws Visit: Washington D.C. Road Rules
Florida Seat Belt Laws
Florida’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all riders that are 6 years of age or older in the front seat and between the ages of 6 – 17 in the back seat. Children under the age of 6 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $30.
For More Information on Florida Traffic Laws Visit: Flordia Department of Transportation or check out our Florida Auto Insurance Page
Georgia Seat Belt Laws
Georgia’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all riders that are between the ages of 8 – 17 in all seats and 18 years or older in the front seat. Children under the age of 8 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $15.
For More Information on Georgia Traffic Laws Visit: Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) or check out our Georgia Auto Insurance Page
Hawaii Seat Belt Laws
Hawaii’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all riders 8 years or older in all seats. Children under the age of 8 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $45.
For More Information on Hawaii Traffic Laws Visit: Hawaii Department of Transportation
Idaho Seat Belt Laws
Idaho’s seat belt law holds secondary enforcement. This is for all riders 7 years or older in all seats. Children under the age of 7 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $10.
For More Information on Idaho Traffic Laws Visit: Idaho Transportation Department
Illinois Seat Belt Laws
Illinois’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all riders 16 years or older in all seats. Children under the age of 16 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $25.
For More Information on Illinois Traffic Laws Visit: Illinois Department of Transportation or check out our Illinois Auto Insurance Page
Indiana Seat Belt Laws
Indiana’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all riders 16 years or older in all seats. Children under the age of 16 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $25.
For More Information on Indiana Traffic Laws Visit: Indiana Traffic Safety or check out our Indiana Auto Insurance Page
Iowa Seat Belt Laws
Iowa’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all riders 18 years or older in the front seat. Children under the age of 18 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $25.
For More Information on Iowa Traffic Laws Visit: Iowa Department of Public Safety or check out our Iowa Auto Insurance Page
Kansas Seat Belt Laws
Kansas’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement for front seat passengers and a secondary enforcement for passengers under the age of 18 in the back seat. Children under the age of 18 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $30.
For More Information on Kansas Traffic Laws Visit: Kansas Department of Transporation Traffic Safety
Kentucky Seat Belt Laws
Kentucky’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all riders 8 years or older in all seats. Children under the age of 8 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $25.
For More Information on Kentucky Traffic Laws Visit: Kentucky Office of Highway Safety or check out our Kentucky Auto Insurance Page
Louisiana Seat Belt Laws
Louisiana’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all riders 13 years or older in all seats. Children under the age of 13 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $50.
For More Information on Louisiana Traffic Laws Visit: Louisiana Highway Safety Commission or check out our Louisiana Auto Insurance Page
Maine Seat Belt Laws
Maine’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all riders 18 years or older in all seats. Children under the age of 18 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $50.
For More Information on Maine Traffic Laws Visit: Maine Bureau of Highway Safety
Maryland Seat Belt Laws
Maryland’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement for riders in the front seat and secondary enforcement for those in the back seat. This is for all riders 16 years or older in all seats. Children under the age of 16 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $50.
For More Information on Maryland Traffic Laws Visit: Maryland Highway Safety Office or check out our Maryland Auto Insurance Page
Massachusetts Seat Belt Laws
Massachusetts’s seat belt law holds secondary enforcement. This is for all riders 13 years or older in all seats. Children under the age of 13 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $25.
For More Information on Massachusetts Traffic Laws Visit: Massachusetts Office of Public Safety
Michigan Seat Belt Laws
Michigan’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all riders 16 years or older in the front seat. Children under the age of 16 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $25.
For More Information on Michigan Traffic Laws Visit: Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning
Minnesota Seat Belt Laws
Minnesota’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all riders 8 years or older in all seats. Children under the age of 8 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $25.
For More Information on Minnesota Traffic Laws Visit: Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety
Mississippi Seat Belt Laws
Mississippi’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all riders 7 years or older in all seats. Children under the age of 7 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $25.
For More Information on Mississippi Traffic Laws Visit: Mississippi Office of Highway Safety or check out our Mississippi Auto Insurance Page
Missouri Seat Belt Laws
Missouri’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement for children under the age of 16 in all seats. There is secondary inforcement for those 16 and over in the front seat. Children between the age of 8 – 16 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $10.
For More Information on Missouri Traffic Laws Visit: Missouri Department of Transportation or check out our Missouri Auto Insurance Page
Montana Seat Belt Laws
Montana’s seat belt law holds secondary enforcement. This is for all riders 6 years or older in all seats. Children under the age of 6 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $20.
For More Information on Montana Traffic Laws Visit: Montana Traffic Safety Programs or check out our Montana Auto Insurance Page
Nebraska Seat Belt Laws
Nebraska’s seat belt law holds secondary enforcement. This is for all riders 18 years or older in the front seat. Children under the age of 18 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $25.
For More Information on Nebraska Traffic Laws Visit: Nebraska Highway Safety Office
Nevada Seat Belt Laws
Nevada’s seat belt law holds secondary enforcement. This is for all riders 6 years or older in all seats. Children under the age of 6 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $25.
For More Information on Nevada Traffic Laws Visit: Nevada Office of Traffic Safety or check out our Nevada Auto Insurance Page
New Hampshire Seat Belt Laws
New Hampshire does not have a law to enforce the use of seat belts, however, children younger than 6 years and lighter than 60 pounds must be restrained in a child safety seat.
For More Information on New Hampshire Traffic Laws Visit: New Hampshire Office of Highway Safety
New Jersey Seat Belt Laws
New Jersey’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement for front seat riders and secondary enforcement for back seat passengers. This is for all riders 8 years. Children under the age of 8 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $20.
For More Inf
For More Information on New Jersey Traffic Laws Visit: New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety or check out our New Jersey Auto Insurance Page
New Mexico Seat Belt Laws
New Mexico’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all riders 18 years or older in all seats. Children under the age of 18 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $25.
For More Information on New Mexico Traffic Laws Visit: New Mexico Department of Transportation or check out our state Auto Insurance Page
New York Seat Belt Laws
New York’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all riders 16 years or older in all seats. Children under the age of 16 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $50.
For More Information on New York Traffic Laws Visit: New York Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee or check out our New York Auto Insurance Page
North Carolina Seat Belt Laws
North Carolina’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement for front seat passengers and secondary enforcement for back seat passengers. This is for all riders 16 years or older in all seats. Children under the age of 16 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $25.
For More Information on North Carolina Traffic Laws Visit: North Carolina Highway Safety Program or check out our North Carolina Auto Insurance Page
North Dakota Seat Belt Laws
North Dakota’s seat belt law holds secondary enforcement. This is for all riders 18 years or older in the front seat. Children under the age of 18 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $20.
For More Information on North Dakota Traffic Laws Visit: North Dakota Department of Transportatin and Traffic Safety
Ohio Seat Belt Laws
Ohio’s seat belt law holds secondary enforcement. This is for all riders between the ages of 8 -14 in all seats and those 15 and older in the front seat. Children under the age of 8 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $20.
For More Information on Ohio Traffic Laws Visit: Ohio Traffic Safety Office or check out our Ohio Auto Insurance Page
Oklahoma Seat Belt Laws
Oklahoma’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all riders 9 years or older in the front seat. Children under the age of 9 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $20.
For More Information on Oklahoma Traffic Laws Visit: Oklahoma Highway Safety Office
Oregon Seat Belt Laws
Oregon’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all passengers 16 years or older in all seats. Children under the age of 16 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $115.
For More Information on Oregon Traffic Laws Visit: Oregon Department of Transportation and Safety or check out our Oregon Auto Insurance Page
Pennsylvania Seat Belt Laws
Pennsylvania’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement only for children under the age of 18. Secondary enforcement is applied for passengers 18 and older in the front seat. Children under the age of 18 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $10.
For More Information on Pennsylvania Traffic Laws Visit: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation or check out our Pennsylvania Auto Insurance Page
Rhode Island Seat Belt Laws
Rhode Island’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for everyone 18 years of age or older in all seats. Children under the age of 18 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $40.
For More Information on Rhode Island Traffic Laws Visit: Rhode Island Department of Transportation
South Carolina Seat Belt Laws
South Carolina’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for everyone 8 years of age or older in all seats. Children under the age of 8 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $25.
For More Information on South Carolina Traffic Laws Visit: South Carolina Highway Safety or check out our South Carolina Auto Insurance Page
South Dakota Seat Belt Laws
South Dakota’s seat belt law holds secondary enforcement. This is for everyone 16 years of age or older in the front seat. Children under the age of 16 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $20.
For More Information on South Dakota Traffic Laws Visit: South Dakota Highway Safety
Tennessee Seat Belt Laws
Tennessee’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for everyone 16 years of age or older in the front seat. Children under the age of 16 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $30.
For More Information on Tennessee Traffic Laws Visit: Tennessee Highway Safety Office or check out our Tennessee Auto Insurance Page
Texas Seat Belt Laws
Texas’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for everyone 8 years of age or older in all seats. Children under the age of 8 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $200.
For More Information on Texas Traffic Laws Visit: Texas Traffic Operations and Safety or check out our Texas Auto Insurance Page
Utah Seat Belt Laws
Utah’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all riders 16 years or older in all seats. Children under the age of 16 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $45.
For More Information on Utah Traffic Laws Visit: Utah Department of Public Safety or check out our Utah Auto Insurance Page
Vermont Seat Belt Laws
Vermont’s seat belt law holds secondary enforcement. This is for all riders 18 years or older in all seats. Children under the age of 18 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $25.
For More Information on Vermont Traffic Laws Visit: Vermont Highway Safety Program
Virginia Seat Belt Laws
Virginia’s seat belt law holds secondary enforcement. This is for all riders 18 years or older in the front seat. Children under the age of 18 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $25.
For More Information on Virginia Traffic Laws Visit: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles or check out our Virginia Auto Insurance Page
Washington Seat Belt Laws
Washington’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all riders 16 years or older in all seats. Children under the age of 16 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $124.
For More Information on Washington Traffic Laws Visit: Washington or check out our Washington Auto Insurance Page
West Virginia Seat Belt Laws
West Virginia’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all 8 and older in the front seat and those between the ages of 8 – 17 in all seats. Children under the age of 8 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $25.
For More Information on West Virginia Traffic Laws Visit: West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles
Wisconsin Seat Belt Laws
Wisconsin’s seat belt law holds primary enforcement. This is for all riders 8 years or older in all seats. Children under the age of 8 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $10.
For More Information on Wisconsin Traffic Laws Visit: Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Traffic Safety
Wyoming Seat Belt Laws
Wyoming’s seat belt law holds secondary enforcement. This is for all riders 9 years or older in all seats. Children under the age of 9 must wear the proper restraint protection based on their age, weight, and height. A ticket for your first offense holds a maximum penalty of $25 for the driver and $10 for the passengers.
For More Information on Wyoming Traffic Laws Visit: Wyoming Department of Transportation and Highway Safety
Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Highway Loss data Institute (2018, April).Seat Belts.http://www.iihs.org/
There is a wealth of evidence available that show seat belts save lives. Depending on where you are, how old you are, and who else is in your car, nonuse can also be incredibly expensive. Encourage your passengers to buckle up, and make sure you buckle up yourself.
A ticket for not wearing your seatbelt may also affect your insurance rates, so be sure to check available rates.
