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Is a seatbelt ticket a moving violation in Texas?
I took my kids to the Houston Space Center a few days ago, and I guess I had a sugar buzz from the freeze-dried ice cream because I forgot to buckle my seatbelt when we left. Of course, I drove right past an officer, and she pulled me over. She ended up just giving me a warning—it turns out she’s an astronomy buff, too—but I’ve been thinking about it ever since. If I’d gotten a ticket for not wearing my seatbelt, would that have been considered a moving violation?
Amy Bobinger · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
That sounds like a great day with your family, and we’re so glad you didn’t get a ticket to spoil the fun! Luckily, even if you’d gotten a citation, a seat belt ticket is not a moving violation in Texas. Still, it’s important to always wear one—hopefully, the freeze-dried ice cream distraction was a one-time thing.
You probably already realize this since you’ve just been pulled over for it, but seat belt violations are considered a *primary offense in Texas. That means an officer can pull you over for not wearing one, even if you aren’t doing anything wrong.
Even if a seat belt ticket wouldn’t be considered a moving violation in Texas, the citation could still come with some pretty serious fines—$150 for each adult who’s not wearing one. As the driver, you could also be fined $125 for not having a child under 17 properly restrained in a seat belt or car seat—and that’s just for the first offense. That fee goes up to $225 if you’re cited for the same thing a second time.
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