Seat belts
- Drivers and passengers must wear an occupant restraint.
- It is the driver's responsibility to ensure children aged 6 to 15 (or children younger than 6 who weigh more than 18kg/40lbs) are wearing a seat belt.
- Seat belts must be worn properly adjusted and securely fastened.
- Seat belts must not be removed from the vehicle or modified.
- Learner and probationary (GDL) drivers must not have more passengers than there are seat belts.
Child restraints
It is the driver's responsibility to ensure children younger than 6 who weigh 18kg (40lbs) or less are in a properly installed child restraint.
For more details, see Child seats.
Standards
Occupant restraints must meet Canadian standards.
For more information, see:
- Vehicle Equipment Regulation
- Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation
- Motor Vehicle Restraint Systems and Booster Seats Safety Regulations
Exemptions
Seat belts and child restraints are not required (but are still recommended) to be used:
- in vehicles not designed or equipped with seat belt assemblies by their manufacturers
- in vehicles being used in the course of making deliveries and being driven at 40km/h or less
- in vehicles being driven in an authorized municipal parade
- by a person who has a letter from a qualified medical practitioner certifying that person cannot use a seat belt or child restraint due to medical reasons or physical characteristics
Child restraints are not required (but are still recommended) in:
- taxis
- emergency vehicles
- vehicles rented/leased for 14 days or shorter
Penalties
- There is a $162 fine for not complying with occupant restraint laws.
- GDL drivers will also receive 2 demerit points if they drive with more passengers than there are seat belts.
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Child seats