Seat Belts
The chart below describes the statewide laws related to adult seat belt use across the country. Use the arrows below the chart to toggle through the states in alphabetical order. To advance slowly, click the single right arrow (>). To jump to the end, click the double arrows (>>). Or use the filter by state feature to jump to a specific state.
Scroll down for a summary and overall totals of the number of states that have specific provisions.
Last updated in May 2024. Laws last reviewed by State Highway Safety Offices in March 2024.
| New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of Law
Primary |
Type of Law
Primary |
Type of Law
Primary; Secondary for rear seat occupants |
Type of Law
Primary |
| Who is Covered?
18 and over |
Who is Covered?
All riders |
Who is Covered?
16 and over |
Who is Covered?
All ages. Children younger than eight years of age are required to ride in a child restraint (car seat or booster seat). |
| In What Seat?
All |
In What Seat?
All |
In What Seat?
All |
In What Seat?
All |
Primary; Secondary for rear seat occupants
16 and over
All
Primary
All ages. Children younger than eight years of age are required to ride in a child restraint (car seat or booster seat).
All
Seat Belts
Seat belt laws are divided into two categories: primary and secondary. Primary seat belt laws allow law enforcement officers to ticket a driver or passenger 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.
- 35 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have primary seat belt laws for front seat occupants.
- 14 states have secondary laws for adult front seat occupants.
- 41 states, D.C., and 2 territories have laws enforcing rear seat belt use. Of these:
- 18 states, D.C. and 2 territories have primary enforcement for all occupants.
- 5 states have primary enforcement for youth.
- 11 states include rear seats as secondary enforcement. Three of these are states with primary seat belt laws for front seat occupants. Six are states with secondary laws for adult front seat occupants.
- 10 states do not have laws enforcing rear seat belt use.
- Of states with primary front seat belt use laws, 11 states and the Virgin Islands do not include rear seats
- Of states with secondary front seat belt use laws, 9 states do not include rear seats.
- New Hampshire has enacted neither a primary nor a secondary seat belt law for adults in any seat, although the state does have a primary child passenger safety law that covers all drivers and passengers under 18.
Specific laws vary greatly from state to state, depending on the age of the rider and in what seat he or she is sitting. This page covers seat belt laws for adults and young adults only. For requirements for infants, toddlers, and children, see GHSA's Child Passenger Safety Laws.
NOTE: GHSA does not compile any additional data on adult seat belt laws other than what is presented here. For more information, consult the appropriate State Highway Safety Office.
Sources: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and State Highway Safety Offices.
Last updated in May 2024. Laws last reviewed by State Highway Safety Offices in March 2024.