Seat belts and child seats in Veracruz (2026)

Last reviewed: 9 October 2026

In short: Drivers and passengers of all classes of vehicles must use seat belts; not doing so is fined 31 UMA, or 40 with aggravating circumstances. A passenger under 5 in a private vehicle must be secured in a child seat in the rear seat, children under 12 must travel in the rear seats, and children aged 5 to 12 use a booster cushion.

RuleWhat applies
Seat belt compulsory in front seatsPassenger carsYes [1]
Seat belt compulsory in rear seatsPassenger carsYes [1]
Child restraint required untilPassenger carsChildren under 5 must travel in a child seat (silla porta-infante) fitted only in the rear seat. Children under 12 who are shorter than 1.35 m must use a restraint device suited to their height and weight, and every child under 12 must wear the seat belt. [2]
Children in the front seatPassenger carsThe child seat for a passenger under 5 must be placed in the rear seat, and children under 12 must travel in the rear seats. [1]
Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars⚠ Not yet verified
Booster seat untilPassenger carsChildren aged 5 to 12 must use a booster cushion: aged 5 to 7 (16 to 26 kg, 1.10 to 1.45 m) with a backrest, aged 8 to 12 (22 to 26 kg, up to 1.45 m) a backrest is not needed. Taxis and public buses are exempt. [2]
Fine for not wearing a seat beltPassenger carsNot wearing a seat belt (driver and passengers) is a very serious offence: 31 UMA, or 40 UMA with aggravating circumstances. [2]

Notes

  • The text read is the Orden Jurídico Nacional copy of the Gaceta Oficial of 13 April 2015, which that site lists as in force; reforms published after that date were not checked. The Reglamento (Gaceta Oficial of 16 June 2015) was not read. Article 36 leaves the sanction for not using the belt to the Reglamento.
  • Rule from the Reglamento of Law 561 (text with the reform of 30 June 2017, Internet Archive snapshot of 15 July 2022; later reforms not checked). Law Art. 36 requires a child seat for passengers under 5 and the belt for under-12s.

Sources

  1. Orden Jurídico Nacional (Secretaría de Gobernación): Ley Número 561 de Tránsito y Seguridad Vial para el Estado de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave (Gaceta Oficial, 13 de abril de 2015) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Gobierno del Estado de Veracruz (Secretaría de Seguridad Pública): Reglamento de la Ley número 561 de Tránsito y Seguridad Vial para el Estado de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave, texto con la reforma de 30 de junio de 2017 (Internet Archive snapshot of 15 July 2022 of the PDF on veracruz.gob.mx) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources

National rules that also apply

These rules are set at national level in Mexico and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for Mexico

Seat belt compulsory in front seats (Federal roads)Yes (source: Diario Oficial de la Federación (Secretaría de Gobernación))
Seat belt compulsory in rear seats (Federal roads)Yes (source: Diario Oficial de la Federación (Secretaría de Gobernación))
Children in the front seat (Federal roads)In cars and vans (vagonetas), children under 7 must travel in the rear seats. (source: Diario Oficial de la Federación (Secretaría de Gobernación))
Fine for not wearing a seat belt (Federal roads)20 to 25 times the daily quota (cuota diaria), which the regulation defines as one UMA. The same fine applies to a child under 7 in a front seat. (source: Diario Oficial de la Federación (Presidencia de la República))

More rules in Veracruz

Compare with the other states and provinces →

General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.