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When was the seat belt law passed in California?
I know that California is super strict about wearing seat belts—but my mom grew up here and remembers driving without seat belts and riding in the backs of pickup trucks. When was the seat belt law passed?
Olivia Rose · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Times really have changed, haven’t they?
The seat belt law was passed in California in 1986. It held everyone 16 years and older liable for wearing a seat belt while in a moving vehicle—and the maximum fine for a first offense was just $20.
For the most part, that law is the same today as it was in 1986, but the fines are much greater—$162+ for drivers and passengers over the age of 15 and a whopping $490 if you are a parent or adult driver who fails to ensure everyone 15 and under in your car is properly restrained with a seat belt.
California also upholds car seat laws that apply before young children are large enough to ride alone or with a booster in a seat.
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