Seat belts, child seats, airbags and window rules

Key points

1. The driver and all passengers, including those in back, must wear a seat belt, and police can stop you just for that.

   Source: Handbook p. 37

   “You as the driver and all of your passengers, including those in the back seat, must wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt. Law enforcement can stop motorists solely for seat belt violations.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 37

2. Without a belt, your chance of being killed or injured is four times greater, and you can die at speeds as low as 12 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 37

   “Your chances of being killed or injured in a crash are four times greater. You can be killed in a crash even at speeds as low as 12 mph.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 37

3. Children under 13 must ride in the back seat if it is available.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “Children under 13 must ride in the back if it is available.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 38

4. Children under 2 ride rear facing until they reach the seat's weight or height limit.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “Children under 2 years of age must ride in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the weight or height limit of the car seat.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 38

5. Forward facing seats are used until the limit, typically 40 to 60 pounds.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “must sit in a forward-facing car seat until they reach the height or weight limit (typically 40-60 pounds, depending on the manufacturer).”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 38

6. Children from 4 to 9 who outgrow the car seat must use a booster seat with a safety belt.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “A child from 4 to 9 years old must use a booster seat and be secured with a safety belt if they are too”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 38

7. Child restraint systems expire six years from the date of manufacture.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “Child restraint systems expire six years from the date of manufacture.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 38

8. Keep at least 10 inches between yourself and the steering wheel, and avoid the 10 and 2 o'clock hand position.

   Source: Handbook p. 39

   “Try to keep at least 10 inches between yourself and the steering wheel. Keep your hands at the 8 and 4 o'clock or 9 and 3 o'clock positions on the steering wheel. Avoid the 10 and 2 o'clock position.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 39

9. Window tint added after Aug. 1, 1985 must show the percentage of light transmitted and reflected.

   Source: Handbook p. 24

   “Any window tint applied to the side or rear windows after Aug. 1, 1985, must show the percentage of light transmitted and reflected.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 24

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Minnesota practice test

1. 1. Where must Minnesota children under 13 ride?

   1. Anywhere with a belt
   2. In the front seat with the air bag on
   3. In the back seat if it is available
   4. On a parent's lap
   Show answer

   In the back seat if it is available. The back seat is the safest place in most vehicles, and children under 13 must ride in the back if it is available. Car seats and boosters must be federally approved and installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Children who outgrow a rear facing seat use a forward facing seat until about 40 to 60 pounds, and children 4 to 9 who are too big for a car seat use a booster.

2. 2. At about what weight does a Minnesota child outgrow a forward facing car seat?

   1. 20 pounds
   2. Typically 40 to 60 pounds, depending on the manufacturer
   3. Weight does not matter, only age
   4. 100 pounds
   Show answer

   Typically 40 to 60 pounds, depending on the manufacturer. Children older than 2 who exceed the rear facing limit must sit in a forward facing car seat until they reach its height or weight limit, typically 40 to 60 pounds depending on the manufacturer. A child from 4 to 9 who is too tall or heavy for the car seat must use a booster secured with a safety belt, and all children under 13 ride in the back when available.

3. 3. What must window tint applied to Minnesota side or rear windows after August 1, 1985 show?

   1. The percentage of light transmitted and reflected
   2. The installer's name
   3. The date of application
   4. Nothing, tint is unregulated
   Show answer

   The percentage of light transmitted and reflected. Any window tint applied to the side or rear windows after August 1, 1985 must show the percentage of light transmitted and reflected. If it transmits less than 50 percent or reflects more than 20 percent of available light, it can be used only on the rear window of a pickup or the windows behind the driver of certain vehicles. Windshield tint is prohibited except a top strip.

Source: the Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapters 2 and 3: Your vehicle and passenger safety. 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.