Seat belts and child seats in Minnesota (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: The driver and all passengers must wear a seat belt in Minnesota, and police may stop a vehicle for this alone. Children are secured by age and size: a booster seat from age 4 once the harness seat is outgrown, and an adult belt from age 9; a child under 13 rides in the rear seat when one is available. Not wearing a seat belt costs $25 and is not recorded on the driving record.
| 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 with harness. From 2, once outgrown: forward-facing seat with harness. From 4, once outgrown: booster seat with belt. Adult belt from age 9 or once the seat or booster limits are exceeded. [2] |
| Children in the front seatPassenger cars | A child younger than 13 must be transported in the rear seat of the vehicle when one is available. [2] |
| Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars | No [2] |
| Can police stop you for this alone?Passenger cars | Primary enforcement since 9 June 2009: the 2009 Legislature removed the rule that a seat-belt citation required a stop for another moving violation, so police may stop a vehicle for a seat-belt violation alone. [3] |
| Booster seat untilPassenger cars | A child aged 4 or older who has outgrown the forward-facing harness seat must ride in a booster seat with a safety belt until age 9 or until exceeding the booster seat's weight or height limit. [2] |
| Fine for not wearing a seat beltPassenger cars | $25 for a person aged 15 or older; the driver also pays $25 for each passenger under 15 who is not belted. The violation is not recorded on the driving record. [1] |
Notes
- The rule applies when the front passenger airbag is activated and a rear seat is available: a child younger than 6 or under 60 pounds must then ride in the rear seat. Rear-facing seats are not mentioned separately.
Sources
- Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes: 169.686 Seat belt use (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes: 169.685 Seat belt; passenger restraint system for children (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Minnesota House of Representatives Research Department: 2009 passenger restraint legislation (House Research memo, 14 September 2009) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
Minnesota 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | Yes, driver and all passengers | Yes, driver and all passengers | Seats by age; adult belt from age 9 or when outgrown | Under 13 in rear seat when available | No if airbag active and rear seat available (under 6/60 lb) |
| Iowa | Yes | Under 18 only | Child seat under 6; seat or belt to 18 | No seating rule | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Michigan | Yes | Adults: no; under 16: yes | Child seat, then booster to 4 ft 9 in or 8; belt under 13 | Rear seat if available (under 13) | No: only if the front air bag is deactivated |
| North Dakota | Yes | Yes | Under 8, unless 57 in (1.45 m) tall | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| South Dakota | Yes | Only passengers aged 5 to 17 | Under 5 (seat belt at 40 lb or more) | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Wisconsin | Yes | Yes | Under 8 (booster to 80 lb or 57 in) | Young children: back seat if the vehicle has one | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Minnesota
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal for adults 21+, within limits · Growing at home: Yes: 8 plants, max 4 mature
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 30 mph · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (provisional licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 (instruction permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1, 2, 3 (bicycle) · Minimum age: 15 years
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (sparklers/ground devices only) · Minimum age to buy: 18 (sparklers etc.)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Ordinary folding knives not named · Locking or one-handed knives: Automatic switch blade knives banned
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $11.41 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Voice/hands-free mode only, device not held
- 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.