In the UK, wearing a seat belt while travelling in a moving vehicle is a legal requirement, provided one is fitted in the seat being occupied. Additionally, only one person may sit in each seat equipped with a seat belt.
Legal Obligations for Drivers and Passengers
Drivers are also legally obliged to ensure that any children travelling in their vehicle are secured in the appropriate car seat for their height or weight until they reach 135 centimetres in height or their 12th birthday, whichever comes first. Alternatively, children aged 12 or 13, or those younger but over 135cm tall, must wear a seat belt.
Children aged 14 and over, and adults, are responsible for their own seat belt. If they are found not to be wearing one when they need to, they are at risk of a fine. Failure to wear a seat belt when required to do so can result in a fine of up to £500.
This also applies to drivers whose passengers include a child under 14 who is not correctly secured in a car seat or wearing a seat belt. There are, however, a number of exemptions to the seat belt rule.
Full List of People Who Are Not Legally Required to Wear a Seat Belt
- A person who holds a medical certificate stating that wearing a seatbelt is inadvisable on health grounds (including during pregnancy).
- Drivers of vehicles carrying out manoeuvres that involve reversing (three-point turn). This extends to a qualified driver supervising a learner undertaking manoeuvres that include reversing.
- The driver of, or a passenger in, a goods vehicle on a journey not exceeding 50 metres for the purpose of delivering or collecting goods.
- A disabled person wearing a disabled person's belt.
- A person driving or riding in a vehicle for fire brigade or police purposes, or for transporting a person in lawful custody, including the detained individual themselves.
- The driver of a licensed taxi while seeking hire, responding to a hire request, or conveying a fare-paying passenger.
- A private hire vehicle while transporting a passenger for hire.
- A person driving a vehicle operating under a trade licence while diagnosing or rectifying a mechanical fault.
- A person participating in a procession organised by or on behalf of the Crown, one that is commonly or customarily held, or a procession for which notice under section 11 of the Public Order Act 1986 has been issued.
- A person conducting a driving competence test where wearing a seatbelt would endanger themselves or any other individual.
- A person driving a vehicle where the driver's seat is not fitted with an adult belt.
- A person riding in the front of a vehicle where no adult belt is available for them in the front of the vehicle.
- A person travelling in the rear of a vehicle if no adult belt is available for them in the rear of the vehicle.
- A person travelling in a small or large bus which is being used to provide a local service in a built-up area (where the entire route consists of restricted roads).
- A person travelling in a small or large bus which is constructed or adapted for the carriage of standing passengers and on which the operator permits standing.
- A person travelling in an ambulance while the person is providing medical attention or treatment to a patient which due to its nature or the medical situation of the patient cannot be delayed.
Failing to wear a seat belt outside any of these exemptions is an offence.
