Air bags, seat belts and child restraints

Key points

1. Air bags do not replace seat belts; together they give better crash protection.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “Air bags are an added safety feature and do not replace wearing a seat belt. When combined with seat belts, airbags provide improved crash protection.”
   Nebraska Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

2. With a steering wheel air bag, hold the wheel at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “The driver's recommended hand position for vehicles equipped with airbags located in the steering wheel is the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position.”
   Nebraska Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

3. For maximum safety, children 12 and younger should ride in the rear seat.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “For maximum safety, children age 12 and younger should ride in the rear seat.”
   Nebraska Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

4. Never put a rear facing infant seat in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger air bag.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “Never use a rear facing infant safety seat in the front passenger seat of an air bag equipped vehicle.”
   Nebraska Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

5. Allow at least 10 inches between yourself and the steering wheel.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “Drivers of air bag-equipped vehicles should allow at least 10 inches of space between themselves and the steering wheel.”
   Nebraska Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 26

6. Children ride rear facing up to age 2 or until they reach the seat's height or weight limit.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “Children ride rear-facing up to age two or until they reach upper height or weight limit allowed by the car seat's manufacturer.”
   Nebraska Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 26

7. Children up to age 8 must ride correctly secured in a federally approved child safety seat.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “Children up to age eight must ride correctly secured in a federally approved child safety seat.”
   Nebraska Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 26

8. Children ages 8 up to 18 must ride in a seat belt or child safety seat.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “Children ages eight up to age eighteen must ride secured in a seat belt or child safety seat. (Secondary Law)”
   Nebraska Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 26

9. Children under 18 may not ride in cargo areas.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “Children up to age eighteen are prohibited from riding in cargo areas. (Primary Law)”
   Nebraska Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 26

10. Drivers and front seat passengers must be buckled up.

    Source: Handbook p. 26

    “Drivers and front seat passengers are required to ride buckled up in a seat belt or child safety seat, this includes autocycles. (Secondary Law)”
    Nebraska Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 26

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Nebraska practice test

1. 1. Until what point should a Nebraska child ride rear-facing in a safety seat?

   1. Until age two or the seat's upper height or weight limit is reached
   2. Until age eight in every case
   3. Only until the child can walk
   4. Until age twelve regardless of the manufacturer's limits
   Show answer

   Until age two or the seat's upper height or weight limit is reached. Nebraska says children should ride rear-facing up to age two or until they reach the upper height or weight limit allowed by the car-seat manufacturer. Either condition can end the rear-facing period, so age two is not an automatic requirement when the seat's limit is reached earlier. Walking ability and the general rear-seat recommendation for older children are unrelated standards. Check the label on the particular seat and compare the child's measurements with its stated limits. That practical check prevents a one-number answer from replacing the full rule.

2. 2. How much space should an air-bag-equipped driver allow between the body and steering wheel?

   1. At least 10 inches
   2. At least 2 inches
   3. Exactly 18 inches
   4. No space, because the driver should touch the wheel
   Show answer

   At least 10 inches. The manual recommends at least 10 inches between the driver and the steering wheel in a vehicle equipped with an air bag. The distance helps provide room for the restraint system to deploy while the driver remains properly positioned. Two inches and direct contact are too close, and the manual does not set an 18-inch exact measurement. Keep the seat and hands positioned so control is maintained without crowding the wheel.

3. 3. Who must be buckled under Nebraska's occupant protection law?

   1. Drivers and front-seat passengers
   2. Only passengers under age eight
   3. Only the driver when traveling outside city limits
   4. Rear-seat passengers only when the vehicle has an air bag
   Show answer

   Drivers and front-seat passengers. Nebraska's occupant protection rule requires the driver and front-seat passengers to ride buckled in a seat belt or child safety seat. It is not limited to children, rural roads, or vehicles without air bags. The manual separately describes child restraint duties and notes that this occupant rule is secondary, meaning the driver may be cited after another violation leads to a stop. Buckle the front occupants before moving.

Source: the Nebraska Driver's Manual, Section 2: Important Driver Information. 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.