Seat belts and child seats in Maryland (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: In Maryland the driver, every front-seat passenger and every occupant under 16 must be restrained; adult rear-seat passengers must also buckle up. Children under 8 ride in a child safety seat or booster unless they are 4 ft 9 in or taller. A seat-belt violation carries a fine of up to $50 and is not a moving violation.
| 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 | A child under 8 must be in a child safety seat unless the child is 4 feet 9 inches tall or taller. A child under 2 must be in a rear-facing seat until the seat's weight or height limit. A child under 16 must be in a child safety seat or a seat belt. [2] |
| Children in the front seatPassenger cars | The sections read set no rule on where in the vehicle a child may sit. The child safety seat or seat belt duty applies in any seat. [2] |
| Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Booster seat untilPassenger cars | A child under 8 must be secured in a child safety seat, which by law includes a booster seat, unless the child is 4 ft 9 in tall or taller. [2] |
| Fine for not wearing a seat beltPassenger cars | Up to $50 for a seat-belt violation. It is not a moving violation for points purposes. [1] |
Notes
- For passengers aged 16 or older, police may enforce the rear-seat duty only as a secondary action, when they have detained the driver for another suspected violation.
Sources
- Maryland General Assembly: Transportation, section 22-412.3 (seat belt use) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Maryland General Assembly: Transportation, section 22-412.2 (child safety seats) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Maryland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | Yes, driver and front passengers | Yes; police enforce only as secondary action (16+) | Seat under 8 unless 4 ft 9 in; rear-facing under 2 | No front-seat restriction in the statute | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| District of Columbia | Yes, all seats | Yes, all seats | Child seat under 8; seat or belt under 16 | Unrestrained child may not ride in front | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Delaware | Yes, all seats (16+) | Yes, all seats (16+) | Seat or booster until outgrown; belt to age 16 | Under 12 and 5 ft 5 in: not with active airbag | Not allowed (child under 12) |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Only occupants under 18 | Under 8: restraint or booster | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Virginia | Yes | Yes | Child restraint up to age 8 | Back seat; front only if no back seat and airbag off | Not allowed |
| West Virginia | Yes | Only passengers under 18 | Under 8, unless 4 ft 9 in tall | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Maryland
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal for adults 21+, within limits · Growing at home: Yes: 2 plants per household
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 30 mph (35 divided residential) · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 50 mph
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 yrs 6 mths (provisional licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 yrs 9 mths (learner's permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1, 2, 3 · Minimum age: 16+ for Class 3
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (permit only; sparklers excepted)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Penknife without switchblade is not a "weapon" · Locking or one-handed knives: Listed weapon; sale or display is banned
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $15.00 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned (no hand use) · Hands-free use: Hands-free allowed
- 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 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: Any alcohol (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.