Seat belt and child seat laws by state
Who must wear a seat belt and the basic child seat rules in every state.
By state
| State | Seat belt rule |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Every occupant, regardless of age. Child restraint: rear-facing until at least 1 year or 20 lb; forward-facing seat until at least 5 years or 40 lb; booster until 6; seat belt until 15. Children through age 15 must be restrained in all seats.Source |
| Alaska | Everyone in the vehicle must use a safety belt (AS 28.05.095); passengers 18+ are cited themselves; the driver is responsible for passengers under 16 (fine up to $50 and 2 points). Rear-facing seat under 1 year or under 20 lb; child restraint from age 1 to under 5 at 20+ lb; booster for over 4 and under 8 who are under 57 inches and 20-65 lb; belt or age-appropriate device to 16. Adult violation $15. |
| Arizona | Front-seat occupants must wear belts; driver must make all passengers under 16 buckle up. Children under 5 in a child restraint; children 5-8 in a restraint until at least 4 ft 9 in tall. Children 12 and under should not ride in the front seat.Source |
| Arkansas | Driver and front-seat passenger must be belted (primary enforcement, fine up to $25). Children under 15 must be restrained; under 6 and under 60 lb in a child safety seat. All passengers of permit, learner's and intermediate drivers must be belted. No smoking in a vehicle with a child under 14.Source |
| California | Driver and all passengers must wear seat belts; the driver can be ticketed if a passenger under 16 is unbelted. Children under 2 (under 40 lb and under 3 ft 4 in): rear-facing restraint, not in the front seat of an airbag-equipped vehicle. Under 8 or under 4 ft 9 in: child restraint in a rear seat (limited exceptions). 8 or older or at least 4 ft 9 in: safety belt. Never leave a child 6 or younger unattended without someone at least 12. |
| Colorado | Driver, front-seat passengers and children under 16 must be belted; all passengers must be belted when the driver is under 18. Child seats: under 2 and under 40 lb, rear-facing in the rear seat; under 2 and 40 lb or more, rear- or forward-facing; 2 to under 4 and at least 20 lb, rear- or forward-facing in the rear seat if available; 4 to under 9 and at least 40 lb, child restraint or booster in the rear seat if available; 9 to 18, seat belt or child restraint.Source |
| Connecticut | Driver and all passengers must wear seat belts ($75 fine each). Children under 16 in proper restraints: under 2 or under 30 lb rear-facing with 5-point harness; 2-5 or under 40 lb rear- or forward-facing with 5-point harness; 5-8 or 40-60 lb 5-point harness or booster; 8+ and 60+ lb booster or seat belt. No rear-facing seat in front of an active airbag.Source |
| Delaware | All occupants must be restrained (primary enforcement); the driver is ticketed for unrestrained occupants. Under 2 and 30 lb: rear-facing seat; under 4 and 40 lb: harnessed car seat; booster until the manufacturer's limits; then seat belt until 16. Children under 12 or under 5'5" should not ride in the front seat.Source |
| Washington DC | Driver and all passengers, front and back. Primary enforcement; $50 fine and 2 points; the driver is responsible for passengers (manual p. 48). Child restraints (DC Code 50-1703): under 3, a child restraint seat, rear-facing if under 2 and under 40 lb or 40 in; under 8, an infant, convertible or booster seat; under 16, a child restraint or seat belt. The manual (p. 48) says only 'under 3 in a child safety seat in the back seat'; the statute doesn't require the back seat. The manual also advises that children 12 and under ride in the rear seat.Source |
| Florida | Driver, all front-seat passengers and all passengers under 18 must wear safety belts; the driver is charged if any passenger under 18 is unrestrained. Children under 4 must be in a child safety seat; ages 4 and 5 in a safety seat or booster seat. Children under 13 should ride in the rear seat.Source |
| Georgia | All front-seat occupants must wear lap and shoulder belts; all occupants under 18 must be belted in any seat; primary enforcement. Children under 8 must ride in a child restraint appropriate for height and weight (manual PDF p.25).Source |
| Hawaii | All front and back seat occupants must use seat belts (HRS 291-11.6, manual p.20). Children under 4 must be in a child restraint. The manual (p.20) says children under 8 must use a booster seat if they are under four feet tall and under forty pounds; the GDL brochure says simply ages 4-7 in booster seats.Source |
| Idaho | All occupants must wear belts where factory-equipped. Children 6 and younger must be in approved child safety seats; NHTSA advice: under 13 in the back seat. |
| Illinois | All drivers and passengers aged 8 and older, front and back seats. Children under 8 must be in an appropriate child restraint (booster seats only with lap/shoulder belts; a child over 40 lb may use a lap belt alone if the back seat has no lap/shoulder belts). Rear-facing until age 2 unless over 40 lb or 40 inches. The driver is responsible for all passengers. Children 12 and younger are recommended to ride in the back seat.Source |
| Indiana | Driver and all passengers must use seat belts at all times (bus operators too). Children under 8 must be in a child restraint (car seat or booster). National Safety Council recommendation: children under 12 in the back seat when there is a passenger air bag. |
| Iowa | All front-seat occupants; all occupants under 18 in any seat. Under 1 year and under 20 lb: rear-facing seat; under 6: child restraint (safety or booster seat); 6-17: restraint or seat belt in all positions. Fines up to $50, or $100 per passenger under 18. No one under 18 in the back of a moving pickup. |
| Kansas | Every occupant must be belted: K.S.A. 8-2503 covers 14 and older, K.S.A. 8-1344 covers children. Primary enforcement for an unbelted front-seat adult or an unbelted child anywhere; an unbelted back-seat adult (18+) can't be the only reason for a stop. Under 4: federally approved child safety seat. Ages 4-7: child seat or booster unless over 80 lb or taller than 4'9". Ages 8-13: seat belt. The handbook (p.27) says children under 14 must ride in the rear seat, but that isn't in K.S.A. 8-1344 or 8-2503. The handbook recommends the back seat for children 12 and under (p.28).Source |
| Kentucky | Primary law: driver and all passengers in vehicles made after 1981. Child 40 inches or shorter: child restraint ($50 fine + $10). Under 8 and 40-57 inches: booster seat. Children 12 and under in the back seat.Source |
| Louisiana | All occupants, front and back, in cars, vans and pickups. Child restraints (R.S. 32:295): rear-facing birth to at least 2; forward-facing 2-4; booster 4-9; belt from 9; under 13 in the rear seat when available. No one under 12 in an open truck bed; no one in a truck bed on an interstate. |
| Maine | Driver and all passengers must be belted. Children under 55 lb: child safety seat; 55-79 lb and under 8: federally approved child restraint (booster); under 18 otherwise belted; under 12 and under 100 lb in the rear seat if possible. All children 12 and under should ride in the back seat. |
| Maryland | Driver and all passengers must wear a seat belt or be in a child safety seat. Children under 8 in a child safety seat unless 4'9" or taller; under 2 rear-facing; under 13 in the back seat recommended. |
| Massachusetts | Every person in a passenger vehicle must wear a belt or be in a child restraint; $25 fines (driver also fined for passengers 12-15). Child passenger restraints until at least 8 years old or 57 inches tall (pp.35-36).Source |
| Michigan | All front-seat occupants and all passengers under 16 in any seat. Children under 8 or under 4 feet 9 inches must ride in a car or booster seat. Children under 4 ride in the rear seat if one exists, and rear-facing seats go in front only with the air bag deactivated. No riders under 18 in an open pickup bed above 15 mph.Source |
| Minnesota | Driver and all passengers, front and back, must wear seat belts; primary enforcement. Children under 13 in the back seat when available; rear-facing until at least age 2 (within the seat's limits); booster seat for ages 4-9 who have outgrown car seats until 9 or the booster limit (manual p.37-38).Source |
| Mississippi | Driver and all passengers, front and back, must wear seat belts. Under 4: child restraint (car seat). Ages 4 to under 7 who are under 4'9" or under 65 lb: belt-positioning booster seat. Children under 13 should ride in the back seat. |
| Missouri | Driver and front-seat occupants of passenger vehicles; all passengers of an intermediate license holder (and permit holders). Children under 4 or under 40 lb in a child restraint; ages 4-7 who weigh 40-79 lb and are under 4'9" in a child seat or booster; at least 8, 80 lb or taller than 4'9" in a safety belt or booster. Children 12 and under should ride in a rear seat.Source |
| Montana | Every occupant must wear a properly adjusted seatbelt; the driver is responsible and is fined $20. Children up to age 6 and under 60 lb must be in a child safety seat; boosters recommended until about 4'9"; children under 13 in the back seat when possible.Source |
| Nebraska | Driver and front-seat passengers (secondary law, $25). Children: rear-facing to age 2 or the seat's limit; child safety seat to age 8 in a rear seat if available (primary); seat belt or child seat ages 8-18 (secondary). No children under 18 in cargo areas. All occupants must be buckled with permit, SCP or POP drivers. Child restraint violations: $25 plus 1 point.Source |
| Nevada | Driver and all passengers 6 and older must wear belts. Children under 6 and under 57 inches tall must be in an approved child restraint; children under 2 rear-facing in the back seat. Under-18s may not ride in a pickup bed on paved highways (parade/farming exceptions). |
| New Hampshire | Required for everyone under 18 (adults strongly encouraged but not required). Children under 7 and under 57 inches must be in a child restraint. Motorcycle helmets required under 18.Source |
| New Jersey | Driver and all passengers must wear seat belts; primary offense for driver, front-seat passengers and children under 18 (driver responsible for passengers under 18); back-seat adults 18+ secondary. Children under 8 and under 57 inches in a rear seat in a child restraint or booster; under 4 and under 40 lb in a 5-point harness seat; under 2 and under 30 lb rear-facing. Fine $50-$75 (manual p.40-43).Source |
| New Mexico | Illegal to drive without wearing safety belts; all children under 12 must wear appropriate restraints; children under 24 months or under 60 pounds must be in an approved safety device, preferably in the rear seat (manual p.3).Source |
| New York | Primary enforcement. Driver and every passenger 16 or older must be belted (one per belt; fine up to $50 each). Driver is responsible for passengers under 16 ($25-$100 fine and 3 points per violation). Under 4: federally approved child safety seat, rear-facing until age 2 or the seat's rear-facing limit. Ages 4-7: appropriate child restraint (booster seat) with lap and shoulder belt. Ages 8-15: seat belt. Junior permit/license: every occupant belted, one per belt (MV-21 pp.13, 15, 48). |
| North Carolina | The driver and all passengers must be belted whenever the vehicle is in forward motion on a street or highway, even if it has air bags. Passengers under 16 must be in a child restraint or seat belt. A child under 8 and under 80 lb must be in a weight-appropriate child restraint. A child under 5 and under 40 lb must ride in the rear seat if the vehicle has an active passenger air bag and a rear seat, unless the restraint is designed for use with an air bag. Children under 16 may not ride in an open pickup bed (exceptions apply; $25 fine). GDL Levels 1-2: all passengers must be belted (handbook PDF pp. 14-15, 45-48).Source |
| North Dakota | All occupants in all seating positions. Children under 8 in a car or booster seat (a seat belt is allowed if at least 57 inches tall); ages 8-17 in a seat belt or child restraint; $25 and 1 point. Recommended: under 13 in the back seat, at least 40 lb and 4 years before a booster.Source |
| Ohio | Driver and front-seat occupants must be belted; for drivers under 18 and TIPIC holders, all occupants must be belted and occupants may not exceed the number of belts. Child safety seat under age 4 or under 40 lb; booster seat ages 4 to under 8 unless 4'9" or taller; safety belt ages 8-15; children 12 and under should ride in back.Source |
| Oklahoma | Driver and front-seat passengers must wear seat belts. Children under 8 must use a child passenger restraint; rear-facing until age 2 or the seat's limit; children 4-7 not taller than 4'9" in a child restraint or seat belt (p.17).Source |
| Oregon | Mandatory for all drivers and passengers in all seating positions. Children must use approved child safety seats until age 8 or 4 feet 9 inches tall and the adult belt fits; infants ride rear-facing until age 2 (pp.73-74).Source |
| Pennsylvania | Drivers and front-seat passengers must wear belts; passengers 8 to under 18 belted in any seat; drivers under 18 may not carry more passengers than seat belts. Under 2: rear-facing seat; under 4: child safety seat; 4 to under 8: booster seat; driver is responsible. |
| Rhode Island | Primary law for all ages; driver and all passengers must be belted ($40 per occupant). Children under 8 who are under 57 inches and under 80 lb: approved child restraint in a rear seat; rear-facing until at least 2 years or 30 lb. Child restraint violation $85 with court appearance. |
| South Carolina | Primary enforcement: driver and every occupant must wear a belt. Children: under 2 rear-facing in a rear seat; 2+ (or outgrown rear-facing) forward-facing seat in a rear seat; 4+ who outgrew forward-facing seat use a booster in a rear seat; 8+ or at least 57 inches may use the adult belt if it fits. Children 7 and younger in a car seat in the back seat.Source |
| South Dakota | Illegal to drive or ride in the front seat without a seat belt; everyone under 18 must be belted in any seat (teen pamphlet, SDCL 32-38-1 / 32-37); drivers must secure front-seat passengers 5-17; children under 5 in a child restraint (or a seat belt if at least 40 pounds); children 12 and younger should ride in the back seat (manual p.25-27).Source |
| Tennessee | Required for the driver and all front-seat passengers; back-seat passengers under 18 (the manual, p. 45, says 'under 17' and then that the rule stops at 18) (ages 4-17 when the driver has a permit or intermediate license). Child restraints: under 1 year or under 20 lb rear-facing; ages 1-3 over 20 lb forward-facing; ages 4-8 under 4'9" booster; the driver is responsible up to age 16 ($50 fine). No children under 6 in a pickup bed; ages 6-12 not in a pickup bed on state/interstate highways.Source |
| Texas | Driver and all passengers of any age must wear a safety belt. Children under 8 must be in a federally approved child safety seat unless taller than 4'9". Driver is fined $100-$200 for a passenger under 17 without a belt; $25-$250 for an unsecured child under 8. Children under 18 may not ride in an open truck bed (limited defenses).Source |
| Utah | All occupants must be belted; children 8 and under in a car or booster seat unless 57 inches tall; rear-facing until at least 2 years and 30 lb; forward-facing harness until at least 4 and 40 lb; children 12 and under should ride in the back seat. Primary enforcement for occupants under 16; 16+ cited if stopped for another reason. Fine may be waived with a 30-minute online course.Source |
| Vermont | All occupants must be restrained. Under 2: rear-facing harnessed seat; 2-4: rear- or forward-facing harnessed seat; under 8 not in a harness seat: booster; under 13 in the back seat if practical; under 18: seat belt.Source |
| Virginia | Driver and all front and rear passengers must wear safety belts; driver must make sure every passenger under 18 is secured. Children under 8 in a child safety seat or booster; rear-facing from birth to 2 years (or as long as the seat maker allows). Child restraint violation fine $50, $500 for a second offense. No children under 16 in a pickup truck bed. |
| Washington | Every person in a moving vehicle must wear a seat belt or be in an approved child restraint (RCW 46.61.687/.688). Rear-facing to age 2; harness seat ages 2-4; booster from 4 until belts fit (about 4'9", typically ages 8-12); children under 13 should not ride in the front seat. |
| West Virginia | Everyone in a passenger vehicle must be belted; exception only for persons 18+ in the back seat. Children under 8 in a child safety system unless at least 4 ft 9 in tall (then a belt is enough). Children 12 and under in the rear seat.Source |
| Wisconsin | Driver and passengers of any age must wear seat belts. Children generally in a child safety seat until age 4 and a booster seat until age 8. |
| Wyoming | All occupants, including the driver, must wear a safety belt; the driver is responsible. Children who have not reached their 9th birthday must be in a proper child restraint (not in the front seat if another seat is available); fines up to $60 first offense (waived with proof of purchase) and $110 after (pp.29-30).Source |
More rules of the road
From each state's driver handbook or licensing agency; laws change, so check your state's current handbook.