In Georgia there are different laws about when you have to wear a seat belt. Depending on your age, what kind of car you are driving, and where in the car you are sitting, the laws about seat belts change. For example, buses are usually not equipped with seat belts because buses are exempt from Georgia seat belt laws.
Today, we will consider passenger vehicles, which are motor vehicles equipped to carry fewer than ten people. SUVs and small vans are classified as passenger vehicles, along with all automobiles. Pickup trucks, motorcycles, and off-road vehicles are not included.
Over the Age of 18
If you are over the age of 18 you are required by law to wear a seat belt if you are sitting in the front of a passenger car. This means the driver’s seat or the front passenger’s seat. The fine for not doing so is $15.
Children Ages 6-17
Children ages 6 to 17 are required to wear a seat belt at all times, no matter where in the car they are sitting. If a child between the ages of 6 and 17 is not wearing a seat belt, the fine is $25.
Children Under the Age of 6
If a child under the age of 6 is not properly restrained according to Georgia road safety guidelines, the driver may be penalized with a $50 fine and one point on his or her license. If there are multiple young children in the vehicle, the driver can receive a fine for each child under the age of 6 who is not properly restrained. Proper restraints mean a correctly anchored booster seat or safety seat suitable to the child’s age, size, and weight.
Although we recommend wearing a seat belt at all times for your own safety, we wanted to provide you with the seat belt laws in Georgia. If you have any questions about traffic laws in Georgia, call our traffic violation law firm, the Law Offices of Scott Miller, at 770-408-1001 today. We gladly answer any questions you may have.
