As of July 2004, 21 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have primary safety belt laws. New Hamphire is the only state that has no adult safety belt law.
| State | Who is Covered? In What Seat? |
Date of Passage | Maximum Fine First Offense |
|
Alabama |
6+ yrs. in front seat |
1999 |
$25 |
|
California |
16+ yrs. in all seats |
1993 |
$20 |
|
Connecticut |
4+ yrs. in front seat |
1986 |
$15 |
|
Delaware |
16+ in all seats |
2003 |
$25 |
|
D.C. |
16+ yrs. in all seats |
1997 |
$50 |
|
Georgia |
6-17 yrs. in all seats; 18+ yrs. in front seat |
1996 |
$15 |
|
Hawaii |
4-17 yrs. in all seats; 18+ yrs. in front seat |
1985 |
$45 |
|
Illinois |
6+ yrs. in front seat; all in all seats if driver is younger than 18 yrs. |
2003 |
$25 |
|
Indiana |
16+ yrs. in front seat |
1998 |
$25 |
|
Iowa |
11+ yrs. in front seat |
1986 |
$10 |
|
Louisiana |
13+ in front seat |
1995 |
$25 |
|
Maryland |
16+ yrs. in front seat |
1997 |
$25 |
|
Michigan |
4-15 yrs. in all seats; 4+ yrs. in front seat |
2000 |
$25 |
|
New Jersey |
7 yrs. and younger and 80+ lbs.; 8-17 yrs. in all seats; 18+ yrs. in front seat |
1999 |
$20 |
|
New Mexico |
18+ yrs. in all seats |
1986 |
$25 |
|
New York |
16 + yrs. in all seats |
1984 |
$50 |
|
North Carolina |
16+ yrs. in front seat |
1985 |
$25 |
|
Oklahoma |
All in front seat |
1997 |
$20 |
|
Oregon |
16+ in all seats |
1990 |
$75 |
|
Tennessee |
4+ yrs. in front seats |
2004 |
$10 |
|
Texas |
4-16 yrs. in all seats; 17+ yrs. in front seat |
1985 |
$200 |
|
Washington |
All in all seats |
2002 |
$101 |
|
Puerto Rico |
All in all seats |
1975 |
$10 |
| State | Who is Covered? In What Seat? |
Maximum Fine First Offense |
|
Alaska |
16+ yrs. in all seats |
$15 |
|
Arizona |
5-15 yrs. in all seats; 5+ yrs. in front seat |
$10 |
|
Arkansas |
15+ yrs. in front seat |
$25 |
|
Colorado |
16+ yrs. in front seat |
$15 |
|
Florida |
6-17 yrs. in all seats; 6+ yrs. in front seat |
$30 |
|
Idaho |
4+ yrs. in all seats |
$25 |
|
Kansas |
14+ yrs. in front seat |
$10 |
|
Kentucky |
More than 40 inches in all seats |
$25 |
|
Maine |
18+ yrs. in all seats |
$50 |
|
Massachusetts |
12+ yrs. in all seats |
$25 |
|
Minnesota |
3-10 yrs. in all seats; all in front seat |
$25 |
|
Mississippi |
4-7 yrs. in all seats; 8+ yrs. in front seat; law is primary for under 8 yrs. |
$25 |
|
Missouri |
4-15 yrs. in all seats; 4+ yrs. in front seat; law is primary for under 16 yrs. |
$10 |
|
Montana |
6+ yrs. in all seats |
$20 |
|
Nebraska |
18+ yrs. in front seat |
$25 |
|
Nevada |
5+ yrs. in all seats |
$25 |
|
New Hampshire |
-- |
|
|
North Dakota |
18+ yrs. in front seat |
$20 |
|
Ohio |
4+ yrs. in front seat |
$30 dvr.; $20 pass. |
|
Pennsylvania |
18+ in front seat; 8-17 yrs. in all seats |
$10 |
|
Rhode Island |
7+ yrs in all seats; law is primary for under 18 yrs. (eff. 7/05) |
$57 |
|
South Carolina |
6+ yrs. in front seat; 6+ yrs. in rear seat w/shoulder belt; law is primary for under 18 yrs. |
$10 |
|
South Dakota |
5+ yrs. in front seat |
$20 |
|
Utah |
16+ yrs. in all seats; law is primary for under 19 yrs. |
$45 |
|
Vermont |
16+ yrs in all seats |
$25 |
|
Virginia |
16+ yrs. in front seat |
$25 |
|
West Virginia |
9-17 yrs. in all seats; 9+ yrs. in front seat |
$25 |
|
Wisconsin |
4+ yrs in front seat; 4-15 yrs. in rear seat w/shoulder belt |
$10 |
|
Wyoming |
5+ yrs. in all seats |
$25 dvr.; $10 pass. |