Seat-Belt Laws in California
California seat-belt laws require the driver and all passengers over the age of eight to be belted. Drivers are responsible for their passengers.
Written by Bonnie Stinson
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Table of Contents
Seat-belt laws in California dictate that all passengers over the age of eight must wear a seat-belt. Child safety laws apply to children. The driver is responsible for all of their passengers.
Studies show that people are far more likely to be injured or die in a car crash if they are not wearing a seat-belt. Keep safe and buckle up!
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What are the seat-belt laws in California?
All passengers eight years of age and older are required by California law to wear a seat-belt, no matter where they are seated in the vehicle. Children under the age of eight must be properly restrained with a federally-approved car restraint system.
The driver is responsible for all of their passengers.
Key Takeaway All passengers eight years of age and older must wear a seat-belt in California, and children under the age of eight must be properly restrained.
What happens if you break the seat-belt laws in California?
Breaking the California seat-belt law could result in a fine of $20 at minimum. The next time you break the law, you’ll be fined $50. That being said, the overall amount you pay will be closer to $160 due to fees and penalty assessments.
In California, breaking the seat-belt law is considered a nonmoving violation, so you won’t get any points on your record.
However, breaking the California car seat law is serious and you’ll be hit with a $490 fine and one point on your record.
Key Takeaway Breaking the California seat-belt law will result in a fine of at least $20 plus fees.
Could it impact my driving record?
It’s unlikely. Since breaking the car seat law is considered a nonmoving violation in California, you will not receive points on your driving record.
It will show up on your driver abstract, but this shouldn’t have very serious consequences—unless the unbelted passenger was a minor.
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Could it impact my insurance?
Possibly. Seat-belt tickets won’t affect your insurance in most states.
However, your insurance company will definitely notice if you wrack up a ton of seat-belt tickets. If you don’t pay your fine immediately, your credit score might also go down. Either scenario could trigger an increase in your premiums.
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