Seat belts, child seats and speeding

Key points

1. All drivers, front seat passengers and passengers under 18 must wear safety belts.

   Source: Handbook p. 28

   “All drivers, front seat passengers, and passengers under the age of 18 wear safety belts*.”
   Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 28

2. Children under 4 must ride in a safety seat. Children 4 and 5 need a safety seat or a booster seat.

   Source: Handbook p. 28

   “Children under age 4 must be in a safety seat and children ages 4 and 5 must be in either a safety seat or a booster seat.”
   Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 28

3. The driver is charged if any passenger under 18 is not properly restrained.

   Source: Handbook p. 28

   “Drivers will be charged with a safety belt/ child restraint violation if any passenger under 18 is not properly restrained.”
   Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 28

4. Passengers 18 or older are charged themselves if they do not buckle up.

   Source: Handbook p. 28

   “Passengers 18 years old or older will be charged with the violation if they fail to wear a safety belt when required by law.”
   Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 28

5. Never place a rear-facing car seat in front of an airbag.

   Source: Handbook p. 28

   “Never place a rear-facing car seat in front of an airbag.”
   Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 28

6. In Florida, the speed limit will never be higher than 70 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 28

   “In Florida, the speed limit will never be higher than 70 mph.”
   Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 28

7. A person a physician certifies as having a medical condition that makes belt use dangerous is exempt, but must keep a copy of the certification.

   Source: Handbook p. 28

   “A person certified by a physician as having a medical condition that causes safety belt use to be inappropriate or dangerous. (Keep a copy of certification while driving or riding in a motor vehicle.)”
   Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 28

8. It is illegal in Florida to drive while texting.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “It is illegal in Florida to operate a motor vehicle while texting.”
   Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 34

9. On long trips, take a break every 100 miles or 2 hours.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “On long trips, take a break every 100 miles or 2 hours.”
   Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 35

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Florida practice test

1. 1. Under Florida law, which people must wear safety belts as a general requirement?

   1. All drivers, front-seat passengers, and passengers under age 18
   2. Only front-seat occupants when traveling on highways
   3. Only the driver and children under age 13
   4. Passengers under age 18 only when the vehicle is moving above 30 MPH
   Show answer

   All drivers, front-seat passengers, and passengers under age 18. The Florida requirement names three groups: every driver, every front-seat passenger, and every passenger younger than 18. It is not limited to highways, higher speeds, or children below 13. The highway front-seat answer leaves out drivers and minors riding in the rear, while the 30 MPH answer invents a speed threshold. Before moving, scan the front and back seats and make sure the people covered by this rule are buckled. Seat belts protect occupants only when worn correctly every time.

2. 2. Who is charged with a safety belt violation when an adult passenger age 18 or older fails to buckle up?

   1. The vehicle owner, even if absent
   2. The driver in every case
   3. The adult passenger
   4. No one because adult passengers are exempt
   Show answer

   The adult passenger. For a passenger who is 18 or older, the passenger is charged when that person fails to wear a safety belt required by law. The driver is charged when a passenger under 18 is not properly restrained, so applying that rule to every adult is too broad. Adult passengers are not automatically exempt from buckling. A useful age check is to separate the under-18 responsibility rule from the 18-or-older passenger responsibility rule before deciding who receives the violation.

3. 3. What documentation must a person keep while driving or riding in Florida to use a medical safety belt exemption?

   1. A written note from any adult passenger
   2. A verbal explanation given to an officer
   3. A vehicle inspection receipt
   4. A copy of certification from a physician
   Show answer

   A copy of certification from a physician. The medical exemption requires certification by a physician stating that belt use is inappropriate or dangerous for the person's condition. The handbook also says to keep a copy of that certification while driving or riding in a motor vehicle. A family note, verbal explanation, or inspection document cannot replace the physician's certification. If an exemption is being relied upon, the practical cue is simple: carry the paper copy with you rather than assuming the exemption can be proved later.

Source: the Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Your Driving Privilege. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.