NC Seat Belt Law - G.S. 20-135.2A
Summary of law

updated 05-05-08

Most Recent Revision(s)

Ages/Positions Covered:
All drivers and passengers, in the rear seat as well as in the front seat, ages 16 and older must wear their seat belts. Children less than age 16 are covered by the NC child passenger safety law.

Vehicles Covered:
The seat belt law applies to all vehicles required by federal standards to have seat belts. In general, these are cars made after 1967 and light trucks and vans made after 1971.

Restraint Required:
The full restraint system provided for the seating position must be properly worn. Both the lap and shoulder belt must be properly worn even if the position is equipped with an automatic shoulder belt or air bag. Placing the shoulder belt behind the back or under the arm is not allowed.

Exemptions:
» Vehicles not required to have belts. In general, these are cars made before 1968 and light trucks and vans made before 1972.
» Drivers of noncommercial motor vehicles with a professionally certified medical condition or mental phobia preventing use.
» Rural letter carriers and newspaper carriers while performing duties.
» Frequently stopping delivery vehicles if speed between stops does not exceed 20 mph.
» Vehicles with "Farm" license plates while being used for agricultural purposes in intrastate commerce.
» Any occupant of a motor home, as defined in G.S. 20-4.01(27)d2, other than the driver and front seat passengers.
» Backseat occupants of law enforcement vehicles while in custody.
» Driver or passengers of residential garbage or recycling trucks during collection rounds and traveling to/from loading and unloading locations.

Responsibility:
» The driver of the vehicle is responsible for himself and all children less than sixteen.
» Passengers ages sixteen and older are responsible for themselves.

Penalties
Drivers and Front Seat Occupants Ages 16 and Older
» Penalty of $25
» $75 court costs
» No driver license or insurance points are assessed.

Rear Seat Occupants Ages 16 and Older
» Penalty of $10
» No court costs
» No driver license or insurance points are assessed.

Most Recent Revision(s):
The 2007 session of the NC general Assembly added two exemptions to the NC Seat Belt law such that backseat occupants of law enforcement vehicles while in custody of officers and drivers and passengers of residential garbage or recycling trucks while working their rounds do not have to wear seat belts.

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