Seatbelt law - Fine for not wearing seatbelt

There is a small minority of people who still refuse to wear a seatbelt whilst driving but if they are caught, do they really know what the outcome will be?

What the law says about seatbelts?

The driver of the vehicle is responsible for all children under the age of 14 to wear a seatbelt. As a driver you are also responsible for wearing a seatbelt but all adults in the car are responsible for wearing their own seatbelts. If you are caught travelling in a car without a seatbelt, you can face a fine between £30 and up to £500.

Exemptions to wearing a seatbelt

Some exceptions are:

• If you have a medical exemption certificate, then you may travel in a car without the use of a seatbelt.
• If you are a driver of a goods delivery vehicle and you are travelling no more than 50 metres, you may also be exempted.
• Or you are the driver of a vehicle performing a manoeuvre such as reversing.
• Or a qualified driver who is supervising the holder of a provisional licence whilst performing a manoeuvre such as reversing.
• Or you are disabled and have a disabled person's belt.
• Or you are a person riding in a vehicle whilst it is being used for a procession on behalf of or organised by the Crown.

For pregnant women, there are bump belts available that sit across the lap and thighs under the pregnancy bump so if you are involved in an accident then your pelvis and hips will take the impact and not your womb. Pregnant women are not automatically exempt from wearing a seatbelt, so if there is one you must wear it.