<P> In 18 of the 50 states, the seat belt law is considered a secondary offense, which means that a police officer cannot stop and ticket a driver for the sole offense of not wearing a seatbelt . (One exception to this is Colorado, where children not properly restrained is a primary offense and brings a much larger fine .) If a driver commits a primary violation (e.g., for speeding) he may additionally be charged for not wearing a seatbelt . In most states the seat belt law was originally a secondary offense; in many it was later changed to a primary offense: California was the first state to do this, in 1993 . Of the 30 with primary seat belt laws, all but 8, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, and Texas, originally had only secondary enforcement laws . </P> <P> This table contains a brief summary of all seatbelt laws in the United States . This list includes only seatbelt laws, which often do not themselves apply to children; however, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have separate child restraint laws . Keep in mind these fines are the base fines only . In many cases considerable extra fees such as the head injury fund and court security fees can mark up the fine to almost five times as much in some cases . These are also "first offense" fines; a subsequent offense may be much higher . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> State </Th> <Th> Type of law </Th> <Th> Date of first law </Th> <Th> Who is covered </Th> <Th> Base fine before fees </Th> <Th> Seat Belt Usage </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Alabama </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> July 18, 1991 </Td> <Td> Age 15 + in front seats </Td> <Td> $25 </Td> <Td> 91.4% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Alaska </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> September 12, 1990 </Td> <Td> Age 16 + in all seats </Td> <Td> $15 ($25 actual) </Td> <Td> 86.8% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Arizona </Td> <Td> Secondary Enforcement </Td> <Td> January 1, 1991 </Td> <Td> Age 8 + in front seats; Age 8--15 in all seats </Td> <Td> $10 ($37.20 actual) </Td> <Td> 81.8% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Arkansas </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> July 15, 1991 </Td> <Td> Age 15 + in front seats </Td> <Td> $25 </Td> <Td> 78.3% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> California </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> January 1, 1986 </Td> <Td> Age 16 + in all seats </Td> <Td> $20 ($162 actual) $50 second offense ($190 actual) </Td> <Td> 96.2% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Colorado </Td> <Td> Secondary Enforcement exception Mountain View where it is a primary violation </Td> <Td> July 1, 1987 </Td> <Td> Age 16 + in front seats </Td> <Td> $71 </Td> <Td> 82.9% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Connecticut </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> January 1, 1986 </Td> <Td> Age 7 + in front seats </Td> <Td> $92 </Td> <Td> 88.2% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Delaware </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> January 1, 1992 </Td> <Td> Age 16 + in all seats </Td> <Td> $25 </Td> <Td> 90.7% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> District of Columbia </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> December 12, 1985 </Td> <Td> Age 16 + in all seats </Td> <Td> $50 </Td> <Td> 92.3% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Florida </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> July 1, 1986 </Td> <Td> 6 + years in front seat; 6 through 17 years in all seats </Td> <Td> $30 ($116 actual) </Td> <Td> 87.4% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Georgia </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> September 1, 1988 </Td> <Td> Age 8--17 in all seats; Age 18 + in front seats </Td> <Td> $15 </Td> <Td> 89.6% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Hawaii </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> December 16, 1985 </Td> <Td> Age 8 + in all seats </Td> <Td> $45 ($112 actual) </Td> <Td> 97.6% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Idaho </Td> <Td> Secondary Enforcement </Td> <Td> July 1, 1986 </Td> <Td> Age 7 + in all seats </Td> <Td> $10 ($51.50 actual) </Td> <Td> 77.9% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Illinois </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> January 1, 1988 </Td> <Td> Age 16 + in all seats </Td> <Td> $25 ($60 actual or $95 if choosing traffic school) </Td> <Td> 92.6% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Indiana </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> July 1, 1987 </Td> <Td> Age 16 + in all seats </Td> <Td> $25 </Td> <Td> 92.4% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Iowa </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> July 1, 1986 </Td> <Td> All ages in front seats; under 18 in rear seats </Td> <Td> $25 ($127.50 actual) </Td> <Td> 93.1% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Kansas </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> July 1, 1986 </Td> <Td> Age 14 + in all seats </Td> <Td> $60 for age 14 - 17; $10 for 18 + </Td> <Td> 81.8% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Kentucky </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> July 15, 1994 </Td> <Td> Age 7 and younger and more than 57 inches in all seats; 8 + in all seats </Td> <Td> $25 </Td> <Td> 80.3% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Louisiana </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> July 1, 1986 </Td> <Td> Age 13 + in front seats </Td> <Td> $25 </Td> <Td> 75.9% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Maine </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> December 26, 1995 </Td> <Td> Age 18 + in all seats </Td> <Td> $50 </Td> <Td> 82.0% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Maryland </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> July 1, 1986 </Td> <Td> Age 16 + in all seats </Td> <Td> $83 </Td> <Td> 94.7% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Massachusetts </Td> <Td> Secondary Enforcement </Td> <Td> February 1, 1994 </Td> <Td> Age 13 + in all seats </Td> <Td> $25 </Td> <Td> 73.7% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Michigan </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> July 1, 1985 </Td> <Td> Age 16 + in front seats </Td> <Td> $25 ($65 actual) </Td> <Td> 95.2% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Minnesota </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> August 1, 1986 </Td> <Td> 7 and younger and more than 57 inches in all seats; 8 + in all seats </Td> <Td> $25 + $75 fee </Td> <Td> 92.3% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Mississippi </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> July 1, 1994 </Td> <Td> Age 7 + in all seats </Td> <Td> $25 </Td> <Td> 81.0% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Missouri </Td> <Td> Secondary Enforcement </Td> <Td> September 28, 1985 </Td> <Td> Age 16 + in front seats; age 8 - 15 in all seats </Td> <Td> $10 for age 16 +; $50 for age 8 - 15 </Td> <Td> 76.0% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Montana </Td> <Td> Secondary Enforcement </Td> <Td> October 1, 1987 </Td> <Td> Age 6 + in all seats </Td> <Td> $20 </Td> <Td> 78.9% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Nebraska </Td> <Td> Secondary Enforcement </Td> <Td> January 1, 1993 </Td> <Td> Age 18 + in front seats </Td> <Td> $25 </Td> <Td> 84.1% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Nevada </Td> <Td> Secondary Enforcement </Td> <Td> July 1, 1987 </Td> <Td> Age 6 + in all seats </Td> <Td> $25 </Td> <Td> 93.2% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> New Hampshire </Td> <Td> None, Primary for children only </Td> <Td> No law </Td> <Td> Age 17 and under in all seats </Td> <Td> $50 </Td> <Td> 72.2% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> New Jersey </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> March 1, 1985 </Td> <Td> Age 8 + in all seats </Td> <Td> $46 per person </Td> <Td> 93.7% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> New Mexico </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> January 1, 1986 </Td> <Td> Age 18 + in all seats </Td> <Td> $25 </Td> <Td> 89.8% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> New York </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> December 1, 1984 </Td> <Td> Age 16 + in front seats; under 16 in all seats </Td> <Td> $50 ($135 Actual after surcharges) </Td> <Td> 89.8% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> North Carolina </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement, Secondary for Backseat </Td> <Td> October 1, 1985 </Td> <Td> All ages in all seats </Td> <Td> $161 for front seat; $10 for rear seat </Td> <Td> 89.7% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> North Dakota </Td> <Td> Secondary Enforcement </Td> <Td> July 14, 1994 </Td> <Td> Age 18 + in front seats; <P> under 18 in all seats </P> </Td> <Td> $20 for age 18 +; $25 + 1 point on license for under 18 </Td> <Td> 74.8% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Ohio </Td> <Td> Secondary Enforcement </Td> <Td> May 6, 1986 </Td> <Td> Age 15 + in front seat; 8--14 in all seats </Td> <Td> $30 for driver; $20 for passenger </Td> <Td> 83.8% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Oklahoma </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> February 1, 1987 </Td> <Td> Age 13 + in front seats </Td> <Td> $20 </Td> <Td> 85.9% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Oregon </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> December 7, 1990 </Td> <Td> All ages in all seats </Td> <Td> $130 </Td> <Td> 97.0% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Pennsylvania </Td> <Td> Secondary Enforcement </Td> <Td> November 23, 1987 </Td> <Td> Age 18 + in front seats; age 8 - 17 in all seats </Td> <Td> $10 </Td> <Td> 86.0% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Rhode Island </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> June 18, 1991 </Td> <Td> Age 8 + in all seats </Td> <Td> $75 </Td> <Td> 78.0% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> South Carolina </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> July 1, 1989 </Td> <Td> Age 6 + in all seats </Td> <Td> $25 </Td> <Td> 85.4% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> South Dakota </Td> <Td> Secondary Enforcement </Td> <Td> January 1, 1995 </Td> <Td> Age 18 + in front seats </Td> <Td> $25 </Td> <Td> 74.5% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Tennessee </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> April 21, 1986 </Td> <Td> Age 16 + in front seats </Td> <Td> $25 </Td> <Td> 87.1% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Texas </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> September 1, 1985 </Td> <Td> Age 7 years and younger and 57 inches or taller in all seats; age 8 + years in all seats </Td> <Td> $200 if under 17 (driver); $50 if over 15 (driver or passenger) </Td> <Td> 93.8% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Utah </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> April 28, 1986 </Td> <Td> All ages in all seats </Td> <Td> $45 </Td> <Td> 89.0% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Vermont </Td> <Td> Secondary Enforcement </Td> <Td> January 1, 1994 </Td> <Td> All ages in all seats </Td> <Td> $25 </Td> <Td> 85.2% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Virginia </Td> <Td> Secondary Enforcement </Td> <Td> January 1, 1988 </Td> <Td> All drivers; age 18 + in front seats; under 18 in all seats </Td> <Td> $25 </Td> <Td> 80.5% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Washington </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> June 11, 1986 </Td> <Td> Age 8 + in all seats </Td> <Td> $124 </Td> <Td> 97.6% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> West Virginia </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> September 1, 1993 </Td> <Td> All ages in front seats; 8--17 in rear seats </Td> <Td> $25 </Td> <Td> 82.1% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Wisconsin </Td> <Td> Primary Enforcement </Td> <Td> December 1, 1987 </Td> <Td> Age 8 + in all seats </Td> <Td> $10 </Td> <Td> 79.2% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Wyoming </Td> <Td> Secondary Enforcement </Td> <Td> June 8, 1989 </Td> <Td> Age 9 + in all seats </Td> <Td> $25 for driver; $10 for passenger </Td> <Td> 78.9% </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> State </Th> <Th> Type of law </Th> <Th> Date of first law </Th> <Th> Who is covered </Th> <Th> Base fine before fees </Th> <Th> Seat Belt Usage </Th> </Tr>

When do you not have to wear a seatbelt
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