Written by Christa Ehrler
Christa Ehrler is a wordsmith, copywriter, and traveler with over seven years of digital publishing experience. She is a.
Edited by Fran Majidi
Fran Majidi manages content on SmartFinancial's website. She's had nearly a decade's worth of experience writing about i.
Updated July 29, 2022Expert Reviewed
Expert ReviewedOur panel of insurance experts has reviewed the content to ensure that our reporting and statistics are accurate, easy to understand and unbiased.
Editorial Standards
SmartFinancial Offers Unbiased, Fact-based Information. Our fact-checked articles are intended to educate insurance shoppers so they can make the right buying decisions. Learn More
Seatbelt laws are designed to prevent passengers from being thrown from the car or sustaining injuries during an accident. Across the country — with the exception of New Hampshire — front-seat occupants are required to wear a seatbelt. There are also seatbelt laws for adult rear-seat passengers in 32 states and the District of Columbia. Most states also have child seatbelt laws, for which offenses are treated as moving violations. Seatbelt laws can vary from state to state so it’s important to know if not wearing a seatbelt is considered a moving violation. If it is, you’ll get points on your license and possibly a rate hike. Keep reading to learn more about seatbelt tickets and fines in your state.
The cost of a seatbelt ticket depends on your state, which can either be a primary enforcement state or a secondary enforcement state. In a primary enforcement state, a police officer may stop and ticket you for not wearing your seatbelt. In a secondary enforcement state, a police officer can only fine you for not wearing a seatbelt after pulling you over for a separate moving violation like speeding or failing to yield. Fees can range from $10 (in Arizona) to $162 (in California). Fines and penalties also depend on if you are the driver or passenger, your age and if there is an unbelted minor in the car.
Seatbelt laws are designed to prevent drivers and passengers from being thrown from the car or sustaining injuries during an accident.
State
Fine for Primary Enforcement State
Fine for Secondary Enforcement State
$120 if under 18
District of Columbia
$50 driver or passenger
If a driver is caught not wearing a seatbelt, they will be fined, but what happens if a passenger is not wearing a seatbelt? In almost every state, drivers are responsible for ensuring passengers are wearing a seatbelt according to local laws. Depending on your state's law, passengers over 18 or — in some states, 16 — may be fined for not wearing a seatbelt. In other states, both the passenger and the driver may be fined for a passenger without a seatbelt. The laws can vary from state to state. For example, Alabama drivers can be fined for all passengers not wearing seatbelts except for adults with a driver’s license.
In some states, not wearing a seatbelt is a moving violation, and you might get points on your driving record and a hike in car insurance.
In the following states, drivers are responsible and will be fined for any passengers not wearing a seatbelt, regardless of age:
Drivers will always be fined for minors not wearing a seatbelt since children need to be properly restrained in the car at all times. All 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia have separate child seatbelt laws. Specific laws vary greatly from state to state, so check with your state regarding its specific seatbelt laws.
Compare Quotes and Save on Car InsuranceState
Moving Violation
