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Close up of seat belt being pulled tight

Seat Belt Laws

Seat belt laws are divided into two categories: primary and secondary. Primary seat belt laws allow law enforcement officers to ticket a driver for not wearing a seat belt, without any other traffic offense taking place.

Secondary seat belt laws state that law enforcement officers may issue a ticket for not wearing a seat belt only when there is another citable traffic infraction.

Specific laws vary greatly from state to state, depending on the age of the rider and in what seat he or she is sitting.

NOTE: This chart covers seat belt laws for adults and young adults only. For requirements for infants, toddlers, and children, see GHSA's Child Passenger Safety Laws chart.

States with Primary Seat Belt Laws

State Who is Covered (Yrs.) In What Seat Maximum Fine 1st Offense
Alabama >15 Front $25
Alaska >16 All $15
American Samoa No data
Arkansas >15 Front $25 ($20 city & $20 county jail fines may be added)
California >16 All $20 base fine + min. $122 for court fees and other penalty assessments
Connecticut >7 Front $92 for >18 ($50 fine + $7 fee + $35 surcharge)

$120 for <18 ($75 fine + $10 fee + $35 surcharge)
Delaware 1 >16 All $25
D.C. >16 All $50
Florida >6 Front $30
6 - 17 All
Georgia 8 - 17 All $15
>18 Front
Guam All All $100
Hawaii 8 - 17 All $92 (including administrative fees)
>18 Front
Illinois <18, if driver <18 All $25 plus court costs
>16 Front
Indiana >16 All $25
Iowa >18 Front $25
Kansas 14 - 17 All $60
>18 Front
(other seating positions are secondary enforcement)
$10
Kentucky <6 and >50" All $25
>7
Louisiana >13 All $25
Maine >18 All $50
Maryland >16 Front $25
Michigan >16 Front $25
Minnesota <7 (and >57") or >8 All $25
Mississippi >7 Front $25
New Jersey <7 and >80 lbs. All
(secondary for rear seats)
$46 (including court costs)
>8
New Mexico >18 All $25
New York <16 Rear $50
All Front
North Carolina >16 All
(secondary for rear seats)
$25.50 + $135.50 in court costs ($10 + no court costs for rear seats)
Northern Mariana Islands >6 All $25
Oklahoma >13 Front $20
Oregon >8 or 4'9" All $142 ($97 fine + $45 surcharge)
Puerto Rico No data
Rhode Island >18 All $75
South Carolina >6 All $25
Tennessee >16 Front $50
Texas >15 All $50 (driver or passenger)
<7 (and >57') - <17 $200 (driver)
Virgin Islands All Front $25 to $250
Washington >8 or >4'9" All $124
Wisconsin >8 All $10
Total 32 States + American Samoa, D.C., Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
1 Delaware's seat belt law is a civil penalty.

States with Secondary Seat Belt Laws

State Who is Covered (Yrs.) In What Seat Maximum Fine 1st Offense
Arizona 5 - 15 All $10
>5 Front
Colorado >18 (primary for <18) Front $71
Idaho >7 All $10 (drivers <18 pay $51.50,
including court costs)
Massachusetts >13 All $25
Missouri 8 - 15 (primary) All $50
>16 Front $10 (driver and passenger)
Montana >6 All $20
Nebraska >18 Front $25
Nevada >6 All $25
North Dakota >18 Front $20
Ohio 8 - 14

All $30 driver; $20 passenger
>15 Front
Pennsylvania 8 - 17 (primary) All $10
>18 Front
South Dakota >18 Front $25
Utah >16 (primary for <19) All $45
Vermont >18 (primary for <18) All $25
Virginia All drivers; passengers >18
(primary for passengers <18 in all seats)
Front $25 (driver ticketed for passengers <18)
West Virginia 8 - 17 All $25
>18 Front
Wyoming >9 All $25 driver; $10 passenger
Total States 17 States

Sources: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and State Highway Safety Offices.

Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general information purposes only and is not to be considered legal authority. For clarification on any law, consult the appropriate State Highway Safety Office.