Occupant restraint laws

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 18 kg or 40 lbs) 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 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 18 kg (40 lbs) or less are in a properly installed child restraint.

For 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 40 km/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 or leased for 14 days or shorter

Penalties

• There is a $162 fine for not complying with occupant restraint laws.
• Learner and probationary drivers will also receive 2 demerit points if they drive with more passengers than there are seat belts.