California Buckle-Up Laws for Parents

(V.C. 27360) Babies and young children

must ride properly buckled up in safety seats or boosters until they are at least 6 years old OR weigh 60 lbs. A child who weighs over 40 lbs. and is riding in a car without combination lap and shoulder belts in the back seat may wear just a lap belt.

(V.C. 27360.5) Older children

must ride properly buckled up in safety seats, booster seats, or properly fitted vehicle safety belts.

Consequences for failing to properly buckle up any child under 16

• The parent gets the ticket if a child under 16 is not correctly buckled up.
• The driver gets the ticket if the parent is not in the car.
• The cost of a ticket could be $320* or more per child; the fine for a second offense could be $800* or more. One point is added to the driving record, which could raise insurance rates. Part of the fine money goes to a special fund to help pay for local car seat education and distribution programs.

Related Information

• Safety belts do not fit most children properly until they are at least 8 years old. To find out if a child is big enough to wear just a safety belt, try the 5-Step Test (available from SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A./www.carseat.org).
• Special products are available for older vehicles without rear shoulder belts or for young children over 40 lbs. who are too active to sit in a booster wearing a lap and shoulder belt.
• Auto insurers are required to replace safety seats that were in use during a crash.

(V.C. 27315) Drivers and passengers 16 or older

must wear vehicle safety belts. The driver may be ticketed for not wearing a belt and for each unbuckled passenger. Fine is $22* per person. Passengers also may be ticketed for not being correctly buckled up.

(V.C. 23116) Pickup truck passengers

also must be correctly buckled up. The driver may be ticketed for letting passengers ride in the back of a pickup truck. Passengers also may be ticketed for not being correctly buckled up. The cost of a ticket could be $160* or more for each unbuckled occupant. No exemption for camper shells.

Other Laws to Protect Children

• Children left in vehicle (V.C. 15620): A child 6 years old or less may not be left alone in a vehicle if the health or safety of the child is at risk, the engine is running, or the keys are in the ignition (unless supervised by someone at least age 12.) The cost of a ticket could be $320* or more.
• Helmets (V.C. 21212, 21204): Children under age 18 who are skating or riding on a bicycle, scooter, or
skateboard must wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet. The cost of a ticket could be $80* or more.

* Fine amounts shown include penalty assessments

Car crashes are the #1 preventable cause of death of children and young adults, as well as a major cause of permanent brain damage, epilepsy, and spinal cord injuries. A sudden stop at 30 miles per hour could cause the same crushing force on your brain and body as a fall from a three-story building. Fortunately, by buckling up children, we can prevent most of these deaths and serious injuries.

This information is provided by the Hermosa Beach Police Department, 540 Pier Avenue, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254, (310) 318-0307/308, through a Grant provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety.

Child Safety Seat inspections are conducted by appointment ONLY, Monday through Wednesday 9 AM to 5 PM. Please call (310) 318-0360 to arraigned a time with the traffic staff.

SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. P.O. Box 553, Altadena, CA 91003 www.carseat.org (800) 745-SAFE