All You Need To Know About the Indiana Seatbelt Law

The consequences of not wearing a seatbelt can be severe. You can be fatally wounded or sustain horrific injuries if you are in a car crash and not wearing a seatbelt. While the number of fatal accidents has decreased since wearing seatbelts became law, the improper use of the restraint system still costs many people their lives.

The Indiana seatbelt law is strict, and disregarding the rules can lead to a hefty fine.

If you or someone you know has received a seatbelt ticket in Indiana, you can use DoNotPay to have it dismissed!

The Seatbelt Law in Indiana for Adults

A seatbelt ticket in Indiana is categorized as a primary offense, which means that anyone in violation of the seatbelt law can be pulled over and fined. Failing to wear a seatbelt is also considered a moving violation, but it won’t lead to demerit points on your license.

All drivers and passengers in Indiana over the age of sixteen should be buckled up, regardless of where they are seated in the vehicle. You are exempt from having to wear a seatbelt at all times only if you are:

• Making frequent stops to deliver a package as an employee of the U.S. Postal Service
• Occupying the residential portion of a recreational vehicle
• Riding a truck or vehicle used for occupational farming activities
• Traveling inside the treatment area of an ambulance

Indiana Child Seatbelt Law

Indiana requires all passengers below the age of 16 to be properly restrained in their seats. Children should also ride in the backseat of the vehicle until they outgrow their booster seat. Older children must be buckled up if they are riding in the front passenger seat.

The restraint system should be selected based on the following criteria:

1. Age
2. Weight
3. Height

Here is a breakdown of the type of restraint that must be used to keep children safe in a vehicle:

When a child starts wearing a seatbelt, parents must make sure the lap belt fits snugly across the child’s thighs and lower hips, and the shoulder belt is placed comfortably across their shoulder. At no point should the lap belt be across the child’s stomach or the shoulder belt across their face or neck.

Exceptions to the Child Seatbelt Law in Indiana

Children who belong to the following categories may be exempt from the child-restraint laws in Indiana:

• The child has a physical condition that restricts the use of a restraint
• The child has a mental condition that makes the use of a seatbelt or restraining system difficult

In both cases, the child’s parents must have a note from a doctor explaining why their child cannot be restrained in any of the systems mentioned above.

How Much Does a Seatbelt Ticket in Indiana Cost?

A seatbelt ticket in Indiana costs about $25 for first-time offenders. If children are found unrestrained—or strapped into a contraption that is not adjusted to their age, height, and weight—the parent or guardian accompanying the child has to pay a similar amount.

What To Do if You Receive a Seatbelt Ticket

If you have violated the seatbelt laws in Indiana, you can do one of the following:

1. Pay the fine
2. Schedule a mitigation hearing
3. Plead not guilty and contest the ticket

Pay the Fine

You can pay your ticket online. To do so, you should:

1. Navigate to the Indiana traffic tickets website
2. Search your ticket by number or name
3. Follow the prompts and pay the fine

Keep in mind that you have 60 days after receiving the ticket to respond. You are required to complete the payment at least 48 hours before the deadline since it might take that long to process your payment. Failing to pay a seatbelt ticket can lead to extra fines and the revocation of your license.

Keep in mind that opting to pay the fine is an automatic admission of guilt. If you are a repeat offender, the court may suspend your license, affecting your insurance.

Request a Mitigation Hearing

While requesting a mitigation hearing also automatically marks you as guilty of violating the Indiana seatbelt law, you might be allowed to:

• Set up a monthly payment plan
• Receive a fine reduction
• Complete hours of community service

Contest Your Seatbelt Ticket

If you want to plead “not guilty”, you can check the correct box on your ticket and mail it to the court. You will be able to schedule a hearing where you can defend your case.

Get Your Ticket Dismissed With DoNotPay

It takes a lot of time and effort to get a traffic ticket dismissed. Many people opt to pay the fine rather than go through the exhausting process of contesting their seatbelt ticket.

If you’re looking for an easy and convenient solution, DoNotPay can help! We can draft a convincing appeal letter requesting a seatbelt ticket dismissal based on:

1. Reasonable doubt—The officer made a mistake thinking you weren’t wearing a seatbelt when you actually were
2. Due diligence—You had a valid reason for failing to buckle up

All you have to do is:

1. Log into DoNotPay
2. Find the Seatbelt Ticket tool
3. Type in a few details about the specifics of your case
4. Provide evidence, if possible

We will use the details you provided, generate a letter, and send it to the Indiana seatbelt authorities on your behalf!

DoNotPay Can Help You Contest Seatbelt Tickets in Other States

You can use DoNotPay to help get your seatbelt ticket dismissed in any state! Take a look at the guides to seatbelt laws in other U.S. states:

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