Seat belts and child seats in Vermont (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: All occupants must be restrained: a child restraint system or booster for children under 8, and a safety belt from then on. A child under 13 must ride in a rear seat if practical.
| 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 with harness; under 5 forward-facing with harness until the seat limit; under 8 in a booster seat; under 18 in a safety belt. [2] |
| Children in the front seatPassenger cars | A child under 13 must always, if practical, ride in a rear seat. [2] |
| Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars | No [2] |
| Can police stop you for this alone?Passenger cars | Secondary: the adult seat-belt law may be enforced only if an officer has stopped the driver for another suspected traffic violation. [1] |
| Booster seat untilPassenger cars | A child under 8 who is not in a rear- or forward-facing harness seat must ride in a booster seat. [2] |
| Fine for not wearing a seat beltPassenger cars | $25 for a first violation ($50 for a second, $100 for later ones). [1] |
Notes
- The adult duty applies to seating positions manufactured with a federally approved safety belt system and may be enforced only after a stop for another suspected violation (secondary enforcement); occupants under 18 are covered by section 1258.
Sources
- Vermont General Assembly: 23 V.S.A. Section 1259 Safety belts; persons 18 years of age or older (Internet Archive snapshot of 8 February 2026) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Vermont General Assembly: 23 V.S.A. Section 1258 Child restraint systems; individuals under 18 years of age (Internet Archive snapshot of 13 August 2026) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Vermont 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | Yes | Yes | Booster under 8; belt under 18 | Rear seat if practical (under 13) | Not allowed |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Yes | Under 8 unless over 57 in; under 13 belt | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ 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 |
| New York | Yes, driver and front passengers | Yes, back-seat passengers | Child seat under 4; restraint age 4-7; belt to 16 | Allowed with the required restraint | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Vermont
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal for adults 21+ · Growing at home: Up to 2 mature, 4 immature plants
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 mph max; local 25 mph or more · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 50 mph
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (junior operator's licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 (learner's permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Three classes · Minimum age: Class 3: 16
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (sparklers excluded)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence only with intent to injure
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes (state law) · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $14.42 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.