Seat belt questions are common in the learner’s test because the rules include exact definitions and a few exceptions. Once you know them, they are easy marks.
Who must wear a seat belt
- Every adult must wear a seat belt where one is fitted, in the front and the back, while the vehicle is moving forward.
- An adult may not sit in a seat without a belt while a seat in the same row that has a belt is still free.
- The driver is responsible for making sure that everyone in the vehicle wears a seat belt.
Children
The manual defines a child as a person aged 3 to 14. A child taller than 1.5 metres counts as an adult, whatever their age, and anyone older than 14 is an adult.
The driver must make sure that a child:
- uses an appropriate child restraint, where one is available; or
- if no restraint is available, wears a seat belt, where one is available; or
- if no seat with a belt is available, sits on the rear seat, if the vehicle has one.
Holding a child on your lap is not a substitute for a restraint. In a crash, no adult can hold on to a child.
When you may drive without a belt
Only when you are reversing, or moving into or out of a parking bay or parking area. A damaged belt, a short trip or a low speed is not an exception.
Before you drive off
In the practical test, fastening your seat belt and asking passengers to fasten theirs is part of the pre-trip check. The examiner also expects passengers to know how to release their belts.
Test yourself
These questions come from the K53TestsOnline question bank. Choose an answer to see if you are right.
When may you drive without a seatbelt?
Practise more rules of the road questionsWhen there is no seatbelt fitted on the front seat, children up to the age of 14 must sit on the back-seat.
Practise more rules of the road questions