Seatbelt rules for adults and children
Seatbelts are compulsory (required by law) for children and adults. The test can ask who counts as a child, what the driver must do and when a seatbelt is not compulsory.
Who must wear a seatbelt?
Children and adults must wear seatbelts when the vehicle is moving forward.
That includes the back. If seatbelts are fitted, rear-seat passengers must wear them while the vehicle is driven.
Who counts as a child and who counts as an adult?
For the seatbelt rules, a child is a person between the ages of 3 and 14 years. An adult is a person older than 14 years.
Height can change this. A person between 3 and 14 who is taller than 1,5 metres is regarded as an adult. This is irrespective of age (the age does not matter).
What must an adult do?
An adult on a seat fitted with a seatbelt must wear it.
Seats with seatbelts come first. An adult may not choose a seat without a seatbelt while a seat with one is open in that row.
What must the driver do for a child?
The driver must make sure of three things for a child on a seat, in this order:
- Where an appropriate child restraint (a seat or device made to hold a child) is available, the child must use it.
- If no child restraint is available, the child must wear a seatbelt when one is available.
- If no seat with a seatbelt is available, the child must sit on the rear seat. This applies if the vehicle has a rear seat.
Is the driver responsible for the passengers' seatbelts?
Yes. The driver must make sure the children and adults travelling in the vehicle wear seatbelts.
When is a seatbelt not compulsory?
A seatbelt is not compulsory in two cases:
- while reversing
- while moving in or out of a parking bay or parking area
Numbers to remember
- 3 to 14 years: a child for the seatbelt rules
- Older than 14 years: an adult for the seatbelt rules
- 1,5 metres: a person between 3 and 14 who is taller than this is regarded as an adult
Mistakes learners make
- Thinking rear-seat passengers need no seatbelt. They must wear one if seatbelts are fitted.
- Judging a child by age alone. A person between 3 and 14 who is taller than 1,5 metres is regarded as an adult.
- Using a seatbelt for a child when a child restraint is available. The child restraint comes first.
- Thinking a seatbelt is compulsory while reversing. It is not, and also not while moving in or out of a parking bay or area.
Test yourself
Question 1
True or false?
If seatbelts are fitted, rear-seat passengers are required to wear such seatbelts whilst the vehicle is driven.
Show answer
Answer: True
Passengers on the back seat must wear seatbelts if the seat has them.
Question 2
For the purposes of the seatbelt requirements, how is a child defined?
Show answer
Answer: B: A person between the ages of 3 and 14 years
For seatbelts, a child is a person between 3 and 14 years old.
Question 3
For the purposes of the seatbelt requirements, how is an adult defined?
Show answer
Answer: A: A person older than 14 years
For seatbelts, an adult is a person older than 14 years.
Question 4
You are an adult passenger and occupy a seat fitted with a seatbelt in a motor vehicle. What does the law require of you?
Show answer
Answer: C: To wear the seatbelt while occupying the seat
An adult who sits on a seat fitted with a seatbelt must wear the seatbelt.
Question 5
You are driving a motor vehicle in which a child is seated on a seat. An appropriate child restraint is available. What must you ensure?
Show answer
Answer: A: That the child uses the child restraint
The driver must make sure the child uses a child restraint (child car seat) when there is one.
Question 6
A child is seated on a seat in the motor vehicle you are driving. No child restraint is available, but a seatbelt is available. What must you ensure?
Show answer
Answer: A: That the child wears the seatbelt
With no child restraint, the driver must make sure the child wears a seatbelt if there is one.
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