Seat belts and child seats in Maine (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Seat belts are compulsory in Maine for the operator and all passengers, and police may stop a vehicle for this alone. Children are secured by age and size in rear-facing, harness or belt-positioning seats; a belt-positioning seat is needed until the child is 8, weighs 80 lb or is 57 inches tall, and a child under 12 rides in the rear seat if possible. A first seat-belt offence costs $50, rising to $125 and $250 for repeat offences.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Seat belt compulsory in front seatsPassenger cars | Yes [1] |
| Seat belt compulsory in rear seatsPassenger cars | Yes [1] |
| Child restraint required untilPassenger cars | Under 2: rear-facing seat. Age 2 or older and under 55 pounds: seat with internal harness. Under 8, under 57 inches and under 80 pounds: belt positioning seat or other child restraint. Other passengers under 18: seat belt. [1] |
| Children in the front seatPassenger cars | A child under 12 must be secured in the rear seat of the vehicle, if possible. [1] |
| Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Can police stop you for this alone?Passenger cars | Primary enforcement: Maine upgraded its seat-belt law from secondary to primary with effect from 20 September 2007. The current statute (29-A M.R.S. § 2081) contains no secondary-enforcement limit. [2] |
| Booster seat untilPassenger cars | A child under 8 who weighs less than 80 lb and is shorter than 57 inches must ride in a belt-positioning seat or other child restraint system. Children under 18 who no longer need one must wear a seat belt. [1] |
| Fine for not wearing a seat beltPassenger cars | $50 for a first offence, $125 for a second and $250 for a third or later; the court may not suspend the fine. Adult passengers are responsible for their own seat belt. [1] |
Notes
- The duty applies to vehicles that the United States Department of Transportation requires to be equipped with seat belts.
Sources
- Maine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes: Title 29-A, section 2081: Use of safety seat belts and child restraint systems (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Maine Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Highway Safety: Testimony of the Bureau of Highway Safety in opposition to LD 1479 (25 February 2022) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
Maine and neighbouring states
| State | Seat belt compulsory in front seats | Seat belt compulsory in rear seats | Child restraint required until | Children in the front seat | Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbag |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | Yes, all seats | Yes, all seats | Booster under 8 yrs, 57 in and 80 lb; belt to 18 | Under 12 in rear seat if possible | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| New Hampshire | Under 18 only | Under 18 only | Under 7 unless 57 in+; under 2 rear-facing | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Maine
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal for adults 21+, within limits · Growing at home: Yes: 6 mature, 12 immature plants
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 25 mph · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 45 mph
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (with driver education) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 (learner's permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1, 2 and 3 · Minimum age: 16+ for Class 2 and 3
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (licensed stores; 21+) · Minimum age to buy: 21
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Concealed 'dangerous' knives barred; folding not named · Locking or one-handed knives: Former "dangerous knife" ban repealed (2015)
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $15.10 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Allowed, drivers 18+ with full licence
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 (a minor is under 21) · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21 (a minor is under 21)
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.00 (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.