A Practical Guide to the Florida Seatbelt Law

iEditorial Note: These blog posts represent the opinion of DoNotPay’s Writers, but each person’s situation and circumstances vary greatly. As a result, you should make sure to do your own independent research. Because everyone is unique, our self-help tools are never guaranteed to help with any specific situation. DoNotPay is not a law firm, is not licensed to practice law, and is not equivalent to the services of a licensed lawyer. DoNotPay provides a platform for legal information and self-help, and does not offer legal services. Third party news articles mentioned on our website do not necessarily reflect the views of the company, or the current services that we offer.

What Does the Florida Seatbelt Law Say?

Driving in Florida is a much safer adventure when you pay attention to the local seatbelt laws. Whether you are alone in the car or driving your family members, complying with these regulations saves lives in case of a car crash or any other similar problem.

If you still don’t know much about Florida seatbelt laws but are willing to puzzle them out, our guide is all you need! By exploring it, you will learn:

Is There a Seatbelt Law in Florida?

Yes, there is. The first seatbelt law in Florida came into effect on July 1st, 1986, and was subject to several changes before it took the form it has today. These regulations have increased the total number of safety belt users in the Sunshine State to more than 90%.

Below is a list with answers to the most common questions related to general seatbelt laws in Florida:

QuestionAnswer
What statute regulates the seatbelt laws in Florida?Section 316.614 of the Florida Statute
Who must wear a seatbelt in Florida?
  • Drivers
  • Passengers riding in the front seat
  • Passengers below 18 in the back seat
Is a seatbelt ticket in Florida a primary or secondary violation?Primary violation. It means that the law enforcement officers can pull you over and ticket you for not wearing a seatbelt even if you didn’t commit any other offense
Is a seatbelt citation a moving violation in Florida?No
Can seatbelt tickets add points to your driver’s license?No
Can seatbelt citations change your car insurance rates?No

Florida Seatbelt Law Exemptions

Here are some exceptions to the regular Florida seatbelt law:

  • People with physical or mental health conditions that make wearing a seatbelt difficult—They must always have a copy of the certification provided by a licensed medical practitioner when driving/traveling
  • Drivers and travelers riding in school buses purchased before December 31, 2000
  • Drivers and passengers riding in buses that transport people for compensation
  • Persons driving farm equipment and vehicles used for agricultural purposes
  • Drivers of trucks whose net weight is below 26,000 pounds
  • Persons driving mopeds, motorcycles, bicycles, or electric bicycles
  • Solid waste or recyclable collection service employers on duty
  • Newspaper home delivery employers on duty
  • Rural letter carriers employed in the U.S. Postal Services

How Do Children Seatbelt Laws in Florida Work?

Child seatbelt laws in Florida are quite straightforward and include the following regulations:

  • All passengers under the age of 18 are required to be buckled up while the vehicle is moving
  • Children below five must be secured in an adequately installed child restraint system
  • Babies and toddlers aged three years and below must be placed in a special child seat installed by the car manufacturer and approved by federal laws
  • Kids aged four and five should be placed in an acceptable car seat, separate carrier, or a booster seat
  • Children above the age of five can use a regular safety belt for adults
  • Drivers are fully responsible for securing the child in an appropriate safety restraint system
  • All passengers below 12 should ride in the back seat

How Much Does a Seatbelt Citation in Florida Cost?

The basic seatbelt citation cost in Florida is $35, but in most cases, it gets increased due to additional court fees. The total ticket cost depends on the county. For example, it’s $114 in Miami-Dade County, $115 in Broward County, $116 in Palm Beach, and so on.

Failing to comply with the local children seatbelt laws or provide a proper child restraint system for passengers younger than five entails a $60 fine. In case of any complications or court procedures, your expenses may increase.

If a Passenger Is Not Wearing a Seatbelt, Who Gets the Ticket in Florida?

According to state law, if any passenger gets caught without a safety belt, the driver is considered responsible and gets the ticket.

DoNotPay Provides the Best Appeal Letters With Zero Hassle

Why waste hours drafting an appeal letter yourself when DoNotPay can do it for you within minutes? Our app helps you avoid unnecessary bureaucracy by generating a unique claim based on several essential details you share with us.

The entire process is quick and simple and can be performed from anywhere, which means you won’t need to visit the ticket authorities’ office!

Here’s how to get your appeal letter:

  1. and log in
  2. Select the Seatbelt Ticket product
  3. Specify who got the seatbelt ticket and choose the appropriate argument you want to use
  4. Upload a photo of your citation and tell us more about the offense

Not only do we compose a claim in your stead, but we also send it to the right address automatically!

Are you traveling out of state often? No worries—we have other state-specific guides explaining how to get a seatbelt ticket dismissed in any of them. You can find the article you need in the table below:

TexasCaliforniaVermont
North CarolinaPennsylvaniaMaryland
GeorgiaArizonaIllinois
MichiganVirginiaIndiana
New JerseyTennesseeNew York State
Washington StateMissouriColorado
UtahSouth CarolinaMassachusetts
NevadaOhioAlabama
OregonWisconsinOklahoma
ArkansasMinnesotaKentucky
IdahoConnecticutKansas
LouisianaIowaWest Virginia
New MexicoMississippiHawaii
NebraskaNew HampshireMaine
DelawareMontanaRhode Island
AlaskaSouth DakotaWyoming
North DakotaDistrict of Columbia

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