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Seat Belt laws can sometimes be a bit confusing, especially when it comes to kids and older cars they may not have seatbelts. The penalties and fines can be confusing and the fact that there are exceptions to Washington seat belt laws can make something simple seem utterly befuddling.
But do not worry! Here we will help you to understand what the Washington seat belt laws are and how to avoid breaking the law and how to keep your children as safe as possible when you are out on the open road!
Seat belt Laws in Washington
State law in Washington dictates that you must wear a seatbelt if you are older than 8 years old or taller than 4 feet and 9 inches, depending on whichever comes first. Any children that are younger than 8 years old and shorter than 4 feet and 9 inches must be seated and buckled into a booster seat, car seat, or a child safety restraint system for their safety.
If a child is over the age of 13 but cannot properly be secured safely by a seatbelt in the front seat of the car, that child must be secured safely in the back seat of the car instead. Make sure that the seat belt comes down over the child’s chest and not over their face or neck. The child could be seriously injured in the event of a car crash if the seatbelt crosses over their neck or face and not their chest.
Can I Get Pulled Over for Not Wearing my Seatbelt?
Yes! In the state of Washington, it is perfectly legal for law enforcement to pull you over if you are driving without wearing your seatbelt! It is considered a primary offense, which means that you do not need to have been committing another crime to get pulled over.
If a cop sees you without a seatbelt on, expect to be pulled over, fined, and have it marked on your permanent record that you were caught driving without a seatbelt.
Additionally, if you are wearing a seatbelt but your passenger is not, you will be held responsible for that person not wearing a seatbelt because you are the one driving the car. So make sure to tell your friends to buckle up before you pull out of the driveway.
Older Vehicles and Seat belts
Older cars manufactured from after January 1st, 1968 must be equipped with seatbelts. In the front seat, the driver and passenger both must have shoulder and lap-style seat belts, while the backseat passengers are only required to have lap-style seat belts.
If a car has both lap seat belts and over-the-shoulder seat belts, both must be worn when the car is in motion. Essentially, no matter when your car was manufactured, if it has seat belts, put them on because it is required by law to do so, and you will be pulled over if you choose not to.
Penalties of Washington Seat Belt Laws
If you are caught driving without wearing a seatbelt, the law enforcement officer will fine you $124. Additionally, a notice of infraction will be added to your permanent driver history. If you fail to remedy the situation, and you get caught not wearing your seatbelt while driving multiple times, your license may be revoked by the state.
Exceptions to Laws
There is one exception to Washington state seat belt laws. If you are unable to properly wear a seatbelt for medical or health reasons and you have the documentation from the proper authorities that say you cannot wear a seatbelt, you are exempt from the seatbelt law.
If you are exempt from the Washington state seat belt laws and are caught driving without a seatbelt on and without your written verification that you are exempt, you will most likely be fined for driving without your documentation.
Washington Booster Seat Laws
Up until age 2, all children must be properly and safely secured in a rear-facing child’s car seat. This is very important to protect your child in the event of a car crash.
From ages 2 to 4, all children must ride in a car seat with a harness. This car seat can face to the rear or the front at this age.
From ages 4 years and older, kids must ride in a car seat or a booster seat until they are at least 4 feet and 9 inches tall. Once the child is over 4 feet and 9 inches, they must be secured by a properly fitting seatbelt. This is usually around 8 to 12 years old.
Kids under the age of13 must ride in the backseat when it is practical to do so.
Lastly, all child restraint systems must be compliant with U.S. Department of Transportation standards and be used properly according to the instructions of the restraint system and the vehicle.
Age Group and Type of Seat General Guidelines
| Infant and Toddlers | Rear-facing or rear-facing convertible | All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing seat until they are at least 2 years of age or reach the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer |
| Toddlers and Preschoolers | Convertible forward-facing with harness | Children who have outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit for their convertible seat should use a forward-facing seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat manufacturer |
| School-aged children | Booster seat | All children whose weight or height exceeds the forward-facing limit for their car safety seat should use a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly, typically when they have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are 8 through 12 years of age. All children younger than 13 should ride in the back seat. |
| Older children | Seatbelts | When children are old enough and large enough for the vehicle seat belt to fit them correctly, they should always use lap and shoulder seat belts for the best protection. All children younger than 13 should ride in the back seat |
