You MUST wear a seat belt in cars, vans and other goods vehicles if one is fitted (see table below). Adults, and children aged 14 years and over, MUST use a seat belt or child restraint, where fitted, when seated in minibuses, buses and coaches. Exemptions are allowed for the holders of medical exemption certificates and those making deliveries or collections in goods vehicles when travelling less than 50 metres (approx 162 feet).
Laws RTA 1988 sects 14 & 15, MV(WSB)R, MV(WSBCFS)R & MV(WSB)(A)R 2005 & 2006
Seat belt requirements. This table summarises the main legal requirements for wearing seat belts in cars, vans and other goods vehicles.
Driver
- Front seat: Seat belt MUST be worn if fitted
- Rear seat: -
- Who is responsible? Driver
Child under 3 years of age
- Front seat: Correct child restraint MUST be used
- Rear seat: Correct child restraint MUST be used. If one is not available in a taxi, may travel unrestrained.
- Who is responsible? Driver
Child from 3rd birthday up to 1.35 metres in height (or 12th birthday, whichever they reach first)
- Front seat: Correct child restraint MUST be used
- Rear seat: Correct child restraint MUST be used where seat belts fitted. MUST use adult belt if correct child restraint is not available in a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle, or for reasons of unexpected necessity over a short distance, or if two occupied restraints prevent fitment of a third.
- Who is responsible? Driver
Child over 1.35 metres (approx 4ft 5ins) in height or 12 or 13 years
- Front seat: Seat belt MUST be worn if available
- Rear seat: Seat belt MUST be worn if available
- Who is responsible? Driver
Adult passengers aged 14 and over
- Front seat: Seat belt MUST be worn if available
- Rear seat: Seat belt MUST be worn if available
- Who is responsible? Passenger
Source note (app): Rule 99 refreshed from the Department for Transport’s GOV.UK Highway Code, checked 2026-09-06. This corrects the imported passage only; the rest of the archive has not been refreshed. © Crown copyright. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Licence details: The National Archives, Open Government Licence v3.0. No government endorsement is implied.