Seat belts and child seats in Missouri (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Drivers and front-seat passengers of passenger cars must wear a safety belt in Missouri, but police may not stop a vehicle solely to check this. Children under 16 must be secured in a child restraint, booster seat or safety belt according to age, weight and height; a child restraint or booster is needed from age 4 to under 8 for children of 40 to 80 lb under 4 ft 9 in. A seat-belt infraction costs up to $10, with no court costs and no points.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Seat belt compulsory in front seatsPassenger cars | Yes [1] |
| Seat belt compulsory in rear seatsPassenger cars | No [1] |
| Child restraint required untilPassenger cars | A child under 4, or under 40 pounds, must be in a child passenger restraint system. A child aged 4 to under 8 who weighs 40 to under 80 pounds and is under 4 feet 9 inches must be in a restraint or booster seat. A child of 80 pounds or more, or over 4 feet 9 inches, must be secured by a safety belt or booster seat. [2] |
| Children in the front seatPassenger cars | The section sets no general rule on where a child may sit. When there are more children than seating positions, children who cannot be restrained sit behind the front seat unless the vehicle has only a front seat area. [2] |
| Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Can police stop you for this alone?Passenger cars | Secondary enforcement for the adult seat-belt rule: no person may be stopped, inspected or detained solely to check compliance with it. [1] |
| Booster seat untilPassenger cars | Children aged 4 to under 8 who weigh 40 to under 80 lb and are under 4 ft 9 in must use a child restraint or booster seat. Children of 80 lb or more, or taller than 4 ft 9 in, use a safety belt or booster seat. [2] |
| Fine for not wearing a seat beltPassenger cars | Up to $10 for a seat-belt infraction, with no court costs and no points. [1] |
Notes
- Adult passengers in the rear seat of a passenger car are not covered by section 307.178. Children under 16 must be secured under section 307.179 in any seat, and persons under 18 riding in a truck must wear a belt.
Sources
- Missouri Revisor of Statutes: 307.178. Seat belts required for passenger cars (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Missouri Revisor of Statutes: 307.179. Transporting children under sixteen years of age, restraint systems (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | Yes, driver and front-seat passengers | No for adults; children under 16 must be secured | Seat under 4 or 40 lb; booster to age 8, 80 lb, 4 ft 9 in | No general front-seat rule; overflow children sit behind | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Arkansas | Yes | Under 15 only | Under 6 and under 60 lb: child seat; under 15 restrained | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Iowa | Yes | Under 18 only | Child seat under 6; seat or belt to 18 | No seating rule | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Illinois | Yes, all seats | Yes, all seats | Restraint under 8; seat belt from 8 to 15 | No seating rule | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Kansas | Yes, age 14+ | Yes, age 14+ (adults: secondary enforcement) | Restraint to age 8 (80 lb / 4 ft 9 in); belt to 14 | No seating rule | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Kentucky | Yes, all occupants (vehicles built after 1981) | Yes, all occupants (vehicles built after 1981) | Seat to 40 in; booster under 8 and 40-57 in | No front-seat restriction in the statute | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Nebraska | Yes | Under 18 only | Under 8 in a child seat; 8 to 17 in a belt or seat | Under 8: not the front seat if another seat is free | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Oklahoma | Yes | Only children under 8 (restraint system) | Under 8, unless over 4 ft 9 in | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Tennessee | Yes | Only passengers under 18 | Booster ages 4 to 8 and under 4 ft 9 in | Rear seat if available (to age 8) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Missouri
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal for adults 21+, within limits · Growing at home: Yes, with a registration card
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 25 mph unless posted · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 60 mph
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (intermediate licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 (instruction permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1, 2, 3 (bicycle) · Minimum age: 16+ for Class 3
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (permitted retailers) · Minimum age to buy: 14 (under 14 with parent)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Concealed carry banned only in restricted areas
- 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 · 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 (supplying under 21 banned) · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21 (supplying under 21 banned)
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.