Seat Belt Laws

Iowa
Iowa has a mandatory seat belt law that is considered "primary." This means that an officer can pull you over and issue a citation for not wearing a seat belt. Not complying with Iowa's seat belt law can result in a seat belt ticket, which can cost you approximately $63 to $68.

• Except for motorcycles or motorized bicycles, 1966 model year or newer motor vehicles subject to registration in Iowa shall be equipped with safety belts.
• The driver and front seat occupants of a motor vehicle shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt or safety harness any time the vehicle is in forward motion on a street or highway.
• The driver and front seat passengers may be each charged separately for improperly used or unused equipment. The owner of the motor vehicle may be charged for equipment violations.
• The department of transportation is required to adopt rules providing exceptions for front seats and front seat passengers of motor vehicles owned, leased, rented, or primarily used by persons with physical disabilities who use collapsible wheelchairs.

Minnesota
Minnesota has a mandatory seat belt law that was first enacted in 1986. The seat belt law is the only traffic law in Minnesota that is considered "secondary" in nature; meaning that an officer must first witness a moving violation before a citation can be issued for noncompliance. Not complying with Minnesota's belt law can result in a seat belt ticket which can cost you on average between $70-$115 (including court fees).

• Law applies to all front-seat occupants and all children under the age of 11 years regardless of position
• Children over three and under 11 must be in a safety seat or seat belt (driver is responsible)
• Belts must be used properly (lap belt snug over lap, not abdomen; strap across shoulder, not under arm)
• Belts must be present as produced by manufacturer
• Driver or passengers 15 years or older are subject to a $25 fine and may be cited separately
• Driver must be stopped or detained for a moving violation before a citation can be issued
• Driver may not be ticketed for a violation by a front-seat passenger over 11 and under 15 if the passenger is not the driver's child.

AAA Minnesota/Iowa recommends that all passengers properly use a seat belt, booster seat or child safety seat. The violent forces of a crash can cause anyone who rides loose to be thrown out of the vehicle and seriously hurt. People riding without belts or safety seats can also hurt others who are buckled up by being thrown against them.