When driving or riding in a vehicle through Las Vegas, Nevada law requires the use of a seat belt or child restraints for everyone inside of the vehicle. According to the Statutes of Nevada 1987, all vehicles from the year 1968 and newer must be equipped with lap belts in all of the available seats to be legal for driving on the road. Vehicles 1970 and newer must have the lap belts all around and shoulder belts for at least two of the front seats.
Seat Belt Laws Las Vegas, Nevada
If you are caught not wearing a safety belt, you can be fined up to $25 for your first offense. While no demerit points will be placed on your record for this type of traffic ticket, a bench warrant can be issued if you ignore the seat belt ticket. If a child is not properly secured in the appropriate child restraint or safety seat, a first offense can cost up to $500 or may result in a penalty that requires you to perform 50 hours of community service. Your driver’s license may also be suspended. Although a police officer may not pull you over, simply for not wearing your seat belt, you can be issued a ticket if you have been pulled over for another traffic violation or another primary offense.
Seat belt usage is required in Las Vegas, Nevada. Buckle up to avoid being issued a seat belt ticket for a violation
What You Should Know
Whether you are driving a car, truck, van, or SUV, you must follow Nevada laws in regards to safety belt usage. If you are not sure of the specific laws regarding the use of seat belts in this state, you can re-read the driving rules or speak with an attorney to make sure you are following the laws.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are seat belts mandatory in Las Vegas, Nevada?
What are the laws regarding child restraints and safety seats?
Nevada’s penalties for not wearing seat belts
Can I fight a Las Vegas seat belt traffic ticket?
Is it possible to get the safety belt ticket dismissed?
Will I receive points on my license?
Do Nevada seat belt tickets affect insurance rates?
Does Nevada require traffic school for seat belt tickets?
Can I just forget about my safety belt ticket?
Will a ticket make me lose my commercial driver’s license?
What about out-of-state licenses and Las Vegas seat belt tickets?
Is it possible to “seal” a Nevada seat belt ticket after conviction?
Should I pay or fight my safety belt ticket?
Should I fight my seat belt ticket in a trial?
Should I hire a Las Vegas Traffic Ticket Attorney?
Are seat belts mandatory in Las Vegas, Nevada?
The driver and all passengers in a vehicle must wear safety belts according to Nevada law. The driver and front seat passenger must wear a harness-type shoulder belt and a lap belt, whether these are separate or combined into one unit. Depending on the model year of the vehicle, this could be individual shoulder belts that are used in combination with separate lap belts or one-piece assemblies that are a shoulder and lap belt combination. Las Vegas laws require that at least lap safety belts must be worn by passengers in all permanent backseat positions.
Those who are 18 years of age and older are the only individuals that may ride in the back of a pickup truck without the use of a safety belt. Children are not permitted to ride in the back of a pickup truck on highways and roadways. The only exceptions to these seat belt laws are for farm or ranch work or while in a parade. If you own a pickup truck and plan to have passengers in the back, an attorney can provide you with more details regarding the laws for riding without a safety belt.
Child Safety Belt Laws in Las Vegas, Nevada
What are the laws regarding child restraints and safety seats?
Safety belt laws for children in Las Vegas, Nevada, require the use of special restraints for children who are less than 6 years of age or who weigh less than 60 pounds. NRS 484B.157 specifies that a child restraint must meet certain minimum requirements. Child safety seats must be approved by the United States Department of Transportation following the guidelines that are set in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Child restraints must also be appropriate based on the size and the weight of the child. You also want to be sure that all child safety seats are properly secured within the vehicle according to the installation directions provided by the manufacturer of the child restraint.
There are several acceptable devices that can be used for children. These include car seats, booster seats, integrated child seats, and seat belts that are specially designed to be adjustable for use by children.
Nevada’s penalties for not wearing seat belts
If you are caught driving in Las Vegas, Nevada, while not wearing a safety belt, you could get fined up to $25. Adult passengers can also be fined $25 for not wearing an appropriate seat belt. As a driver in Nevada, you can also be fined $25 if you allow a child who is 6 years of age or older and over 60 pounds to ride without using a safety belt. Passengers riding illegally in the back of a pickup truck result in fines that can range from $35 to $100.
You face more serious penalties if you allow a child who is younger than the age of 6 or less than 60 pounds to ride without an appropriate restraint. You can be fined $100 to $500 for a first offense or $500 to $1000 for a second offense. In lieu of fines in Nevada, you may be required to perform community service of 10 to 50 hours for your first offense or 50 to 100 hours for a second offense. For third and subsequent offenses in Las Vegas, Nevada, your driver’s license may be suspended for anywhere from 30 to 180 days. In some cases, you may even face child endangerment charges. This is a serious charge that could result in fines or even imprisonment. You may want to hire an attorney in Las Vegas, Nevada, for assistance with this type of seat belt charge.
Nevada Seat Belt Laws for Traffic Tickets in Las Vegas
Can I fight a Las Vegas seat belt traffic ticket?
You certainly have the option of paying your fine or of fighting your safety belt traffic violation in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, your results could depend on a variety of factors. You may wish to discuss your specific case with a qualified Nevada attorney.
Is it possible to get the safety belt ticket dismissed?
There is a possibility that you could have your seat belt violation dismissed, but many factors can affect the outcome of your case. If you would like to pursue this option, you may want to have an attorney handle your safety belt case in Las Vegas, Nevada court.
Will I receive points on my license?
No demerit points will be issued against your Nevada driver’s license if you or a passenger is not secured by a safety belt inside of your vehicle. However, you will receive 1 demerit point if you receive a ticket for the traffic violation of improperly transporting someone in the bed of a pickup truck. While you may not receive demerit points for a car seat violation, your license will be suspended for a third or subsequent offense. Due to the severity of the potential consequences, you may request the assistance of an attorney to help with your safety belt charges.
Do Nevada seat belt tickets affect insurance rates?
Many insurance companies use the demerit point system to help determine your insurance rates. Since no points are issued for safety belt offenses in Las Vegas, Nevada, your insurance rates most likely will not be affected. However, each insurance company has its own rules, so you may wish to contact your agent for additional information.
Seat Belt Traffic Tickets Las Vegas, NV
Does Nevada require a traffic school for seat belt tickets?
You will not be required to attend traffic school for a safety belt offense. You can choose to attend a child safety seat course if you are convicted of a car seat violation in Nevada. Your attorney can provide you with more information on this seat belt course. If you complete the program within 60 days of your sentencing, penalties may be waived for your first offense. If it is your second offense, the judge may cut your sentence in half.
Can I just forget about my safety belt ticket?
Ignoring a seat belt violation will just lead to more serious consequences. If you do not pay your fine or show up for your court date, the judge will issue a bench warrant and your license can be suspended. If this occurs, you may have to get the help of a Nevada attorney to cancel the warrant and to have your driving privileges reinstated.
Will a ticket make me lose my commercial driver’s license?
In Las Vegas, Nevada, the seat belt law is the same for a basic driver’s license and a commercial driver’s license. While a safety belt violation may not result in the loss of your license in and of itself, it could be problematic if you receive a demerit point regarding a pickup truck violation. You can discuss your circumstances with a knowledgeable Nevada attorney for assistance with maintaining your driving privileges.
What about out-of-state licenses and Las Vegas seat belt tickets?
If you receive a safety belt violation while driving in Nevada, you will want to discuss the matter with an attorney from the state that issued your driver’s license. Each state has its own rules regarding the use of seat belts and child safety restraints, so an attorney can help with the safety belt offense process between the two states.
Is it possible to “seal” a Nevada seat belt ticket after conviction?
Infractions of Las Vegas seat belt laws can be sealed. If you are found guilty, you will have to wait for a full year following the closing of your case to even begin the process. However, if your safety belt case was dismissed, you can begin this process right away. It can be helpful to discuss this with your attorney before you proceed.
Child Safety Restraint and Seat Belt Laws Nevada
Should I pay or fight my safety belt ticket?
While the decision is certainly yours on whether or not you pay the fines for violating the seat belt laws in Las Vegas, Nevada, you may wish to consult with an attorney to determine what would be best in your case. The $25 fine is minimal. If you are not guilty, you may really want to consider this option. If you are facing a car seat charge, speak with an attorney who can lay out your choices.
Should I fight my seat belt ticket in a trial?
If you decide to fight your safety belt charge, you can choose to have a bench trial. This means that the judge will listen to both sides of the story before making a decision. Because seat belt offenses are such minor traffic offenses, you will not be able to have a jury trial.
Should I hire a Las Vegas Traffic Ticket Attorney?
Before you decide to pay your fine or go to court to fight your safety belt citation, it can be helpful to talk with an experienced Las Vegas attorney to discuss your options. If you live in another state and were issued a citation for breaking the seat belt laws, you may wish to find an attorney in your home state or the state that issued your driver’s license to help you to make a decision on what you can do regarding your choices.
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