Rules of the road
Know before you drive

Seat belts, car seats and airbags

Short answer

Everyone in the car should wear a seat belt on every trip. Children ride in stages: rear-facing seat, forward-facing seat, booster seat, then seat belt. Children under 13 should ride in the back seat.

Seat belts keep you in your seat and spread crash forces across the strongest parts of your body. Airbags work with belts, not instead of them.

Seat belt laws

  • Most states have primary seat belt laws: police can stop you just for not buckling up.
  • Some states have secondary laws: you can only be ticketed if stopped for something else.
  • New Hampshire is the only state with no seat belt law for adults.
  • Wear the lap belt low across your hips and the shoulder belt across your chest, never behind your back.

Children ride in stages

  • Rear-facing car seat for as long as possible, up to the seat maker's limit.
  • Then a forward-facing seat with a harness and tether.
  • Then a booster seat until the adult belt fits, often around 4 feet 9 inches tall.
  • Then a seat belt, with the lap belt across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt across the chest.

Airbags

  • Children under 13 should ride in the back seat.
  • Never put a rear-facing seat in front of an active airbag.
  • Sit at least 10 inches from the steering wheel airbag.
State differencesAs of mid-2025, GHSA counted 35 states plus DC with primary laws for front-seat occupants and 14 with secondary laws. Child seat ages and sizes vary: for example, California requires a child seat or booster under age 8 or under 4 feet 9 inches.
In VirginiaSince July 1, 2025, everyone in every seat must buckle up. For adults it is a secondary offense with a $25 fine. Children under 8 must ride in a car seat or booster. Keep them rear-facing until at least age 2, or until they reach the seat maker's minimum forward-facing weight. See all Virginia rules
Check yourself

Quick quiz

6 questions with explanations.

Questions people ask

Do I need a seat belt in the back seat?

It is the law in many states and always the safe choice. Unbelted back-seat passengers can also hurt people in the front in a crash.

Can a child ride in the front seat?

Children under 13 are safest in the back. Never put a rear-facing seat in front of an active airbag.

Sources

Last checked October 2026. Laws change; your state's official handbook is the final word.