Do you know the laws on seatbelts in your car? We’ve covered all the essential info so you can make sure you do.

We all know that you need to wear your seatbelt in the car but might not know who else we are responsible for, what condition or belts need to be in and what the penalty is for not wearing your seatbelt. In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and much more.

Does Seatbelt Condition Matter?

Yes! Your seatbelt condition does matter as a poor quality or damaged seatbelt might not function correctly and can cause injury rather than prevent it.

The condition of your seatbelts will be tested as part of the annual MOT (once over three years old) and these tests will include checking the locking mechanism, its release function and the retraction mechanism.

If you’re at all concerned about one of your seatbelts then we recommend getting this looked at as soon as possible.

Who Needs to Wear a Seatbelt?

It is a legal requirement for the driver and all passengers in a car to wear a seatbelt and has been for over 30 years. There are a few exemptions to this which we’ll look at further down but generally it should be assumed that anyone you travel with in your car should be wearing a seatbelt, unless they let you know otherwise.

Children and Seatbelts

As the driver it will be your responsibility to ensure that any children under the age of 14 years old are wearing a seatbelt or in an appropriate car seat. This is regardless of whether you are responsible for the child outside of the car or not.

Children under 12 years old and 135 cm tall will need to be in an appropriate car seat. Once they reach 135 cm or their 12th birthday they are no longer legally required to sit in a car seat but may continue to do if preferred.

There are three different types of car seats which are rear-facing, front-facing and booster seats. The child’s weight is the main measurement used to determine the best seat for them. Rear-facing seats have the child facing the rear of the vehicle and are used by infants and toddlers with one type suitable for those from birth up to 13 kg in weight and the second for children between 9 kg and 18 kg.

Front-facing seats are similar in design but the child faces the front of the car, so the same way as passengers usually would. These are suitable for children between 9 kg and 18 kg as well.

Then when the child reaches 15 to 25 kg they will be able to transition to a booster seat. Booster seats can include a back support to help provide additional support or simply a seat they sit on to bring them up to the appropriate height to use the regular seatbelt correctly.

Who Doesn’t Have to Wear a Seatbelt?

There are a few circumstances where you or your passengers may not need to wear a seatbelt when travelling in a car. These include:

• When reversing or supervising a learner driver who is reversing
• In a vehicle being used for the police, fire or rescue services
• As a passenger in a trade vehicle when investigating a fault
• Driving a goods vehicle on deliveries that is travelling less than 50 metres between stops
• As a licenced taxi driver plying for hire or carrying passengers
• When you have a medical exemption (you must have your certificate of exemption from compulsory seatbelt wearing)
• When travelling in a vintage car that does not have seatbelts

It’s important to be aware that while you might be given a medical exemption due to an illness or disability this is not guaranteed or automatic and you’ll need to speak to your doctor about obtaining it. Additionally, if you are given a medical exemption when pregnant then this will no longer be valid when you have given birth.

There are different rules for children in vehicles and are only a couple of exceptions where they do not have to wear a seatbelt which are for children over three years old on an emergency journey of a short distance, travelling in a minibus, minicab, taxi, coach or the rear of a van.

What if There are No Seatbelts in My Car?

If your car was originally made without seatbelts, as most cars were up until the mid 1960’s, then there is no legal obligation to have them retrospectively added, though individual drivers might choose to have them added for additional safety. These vehicles would be classed as classic or vintage models now and you can still use them without seatbelts but no child under three should be a passenger in them. Children three or older can only sit in the rear seats of a classic car.

What’s the Punishment for Not Wearing a Seatbelt?

If you are found not wearing your seatbelt you could be fined up to £500 on the spot and receive three points on your driving licence. In more extreme or repeat offender cases this may result in a driving ban.

Additionally, if you are found to have a passenger under 14 years old then you will pay up to £500 per child as a fine for this.

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