Seat belts and child seats in Tennessee (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Drivers and front-seat passengers must wear seat belts. Children must use a rear-facing seat, forward-facing seat or booster according to age and height until 4 feet 9 inches (1.45 m) tall.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Seat belt compulsory in front seatsPassenger cars | Yes [1] |
| Child restraint required untilPassenger cars | Children up to 1 year or 20 pounds must be rear-facing; ages 1 to 3 over 20 pounds forward-facing; ages 4 to 8 and under 4 feet 9 inches (1.45 m) in a belt-positioning booster seat; ages 9 to 12 or 4 feet 9 inches or taller in a seat belt; ages 13 to 15 in a passenger restraint system including safety belts. [2] |
| Children in the front seatPassenger cars | Children up to age 8 must be secured in the rear seat, if available, or according to the child restraint system or vehicle manufacturer's instructions. For ages 9 to 12 the rear seat is recommended. [2] |
| Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Can police stop you for this alone?Passenger cars | Primary: officers may stop a vehicle when the driver or passengers are not properly restrained. [1] |
| Fine for not wearing a seat beltPassenger cars | A $30 fine for a first violation ($55 for a second or later) may be paid instead of appearing in court. [1] |
| Booster seat untilPassenger cars | Children aged 4 to 8 and shorter than 4 feet 9 inches must ride in a belt-positioning booster seat, in the rear seat if available. [2] |
| Seat belt compulsory in rear seatsPassenger cars | No [1] |
Notes
- Adults in the back seat are not covered; the driver must make sure passengers under 18 are restrained in any seat, and licensed passengers aged 16 or over are responsible for themselves.
Sources
- Tennessee Highway Safety Office: Seat Belt Safety Law (Tennessee Highway Safety Office) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security: Child Restraint Law (Internet Archive snapshot of 24 September 2025) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Alabama | Yes | Yes (secondary enforcement) | Seat/booster until age 6, then seat belt to 15 | No seating rule; restraint applies in any seat | ⚠ 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 |
| Georgia | Yes | Minors 8 and older only | Seat or booster under age 8 (or over 4 ft 9 in: belt) | Under 8 in rear seat if one is available | ⚠ 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 |
| 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 |
| Mississippi | Yes, operator and passengers | ⚠ Not yet verified | Seat under 4; booster age 4-6 under 4 ft 9 in or 65 lb | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| North Carolina | Yes | Yes | Under 8 and under 80 lb: child restraint system | Under 5 and 40 lb: rear seat if airbag active | No if a rear seat exists (airbag-rated seats excepted) |
| Virginia | Yes | Yes | Child restraint up to age 8 | Back seat; front only if no back seat and airbag off | Not allowed |
More rules in Tennessee
- Car speed limitsOutside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph (unless posted)
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (intermediate restricted licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 (learner permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Three classes · Minimum age: Class 3: 16
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes where county/city allows sale · Minimum age to buy: 16 (16-17 need photo ID or an adult)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Knives no longer in the go-armed offence (2014) · Locking or one-handed knives: No separate rule; knives deleted from (a)(1) in 2014
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: No state minimum wage · Current adult minimum wage (gross): Federal $7.25 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Allowed
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.