Seat Belts
G.S. 20-135.2A — every occupant belted, and a rear seat belt alone is not a reason to stop a car
Every occupant, front and back. In North Carolina, each occupant of a motor vehicle made with seat belts has one properly fastened whenever the vehicle is moving forward on a street or highway.
| Unbelted | Penalty |
|---|---|
| UnbeltedDriver or front seat passenger | PenaltyAn infraction: $25.50, plus the court fees and assessments the section lists |
| UnbeltedRear seat occupant | PenaltyAn infraction: $10 and no court costs |
A rear seat occupant not wearing a belt is not justification for stopping a vehicle. Evidence that someone was not belted is not admissible in any trial except one over this section, or to justify the stop. No license points or insurance surcharge are assessed.
- A medical or physical condition that prevents restraint, or a professionally certified phobia.
- Rural mail carriers and newspaper delivery people on their routes.
- A driver or passenger who frequently stops and leaves the vehicle or delivers from it, at no more than 20 miles per hour between stops.
- Vehicles not required to have belts under federal law.
- A person in custody riding in the back of a law enforcement vehicle.
The General Assembly's page for this section flags an editor's note in its heading that the page itself does not print.
Sources for this section (1)
- G.S. 20-135.2A — Seat belt use mandatory
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed North Carolina attorney.