Seat belts and child restraints

Key points

1. All occupants, including the driver, must wear a safety belt, and the driver is responsible.

   Source: Handbook p. 29

   “Under Wyoming law, a safety belt (seat belt) must be worn by all occupants of the vehicle, including the driver. It's the driver's responsibility to see that the law is obeyed.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 29

2. From 2015 to 2019 an average of 100 people died on Wyoming roads each year, and over 50% were unbelted.

   Source: Handbook p. 16

   “An average of 100 people died on Wyoming’s roads each year from 2015-2019, and more than 50% of those fatalities were not wearing their seat belts.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 16

3. The child restraint law covers children who have not reached their ninth birthday.

   Source: Handbook p. 30

   “Child who has not reached his/her ninth birthday.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 30

4. A child must ride in a seat other than the front, unless there is one row or all belts are used by other children.

   Source: Handbook p. 30

   “Child must be secured in vehicle seat other than front seat except in vehicles with one row of seats, or if all safety belts are in use by other child passengers.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 30

5. Never put a rear facing infant seat in front of an active airbag.

   Source: Handbook p. 30

   “Child in rear-facing infant seat shall not be placed in front of an active airbag.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 30

6. It is a primary offense: police may stop you for non use or misuse of a child restraint.

   Source: Handbook p. 30

   “Primary Offense: Non-use or misuse are reasonable suspicion for stopping a vehicle to investigate a suspected violation.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 30

7. The fine is up to $60 for a first offense, waived with proof of buying a restraint, and up to $110 after that.

   Source: Handbook p. 30

   “Maximum $60 fine for first offense. Fine shall be waived by the court upon receipt of proof of purchase, lease, or other acquisition, of an approved restraint after the offense occurred. Maximum $110 fine for second and subsequent offenses.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 30

8. Passenger vehicles before model year 1967 and vans and trucks before 1972 without belts are exempt.

   Source: Handbook p. 30

   “(Passenger vehicles before MY1967; Vans and trucks before MY1972).”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 30

9. A belt positioning booster protects a child over 40 pounds.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “Look at weight and height limits of the belt-positioning booster which provides protection for child over 40 pounds.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 31

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Wyoming practice test

1. 1. Under Wyoming's safety belt law, who must wear a belt, and who is responsible for making sure they do?

   1. All occupants including the driver; the driver is responsible
   2. Only front seat occupants; each person is responsible
   3. Only children; parents are responsible
   4. Only the driver; passengers are exempt
   Show answer

   All occupants including the driver; the driver is responsible. Under Wyoming law a safety belt must be worn by all occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, and it is the driver's responsibility to see that the law is obeyed. Children must be in appropriate child restraint systems. The law is not limited to the front seat, to children, or to the driver. The manual adds that the lap belt goes snugly across the hip bones and the shoulder strap should never be worn alone.

2. 2. Up to what age does Wyoming's child restraint law apply?

   1. Children under 4
   2. Children under 12
   3. Children who have not reached their ninth birthday
   4. Children under 6
   Show answer

   Children who have not reached their ninth birthday. Wyoming's child restraint guide applies to any child who has not reached his or her ninth birthday, to all drivers, and to privately owned, leased or rented noncommercial passenger vehicles. The child must be secured in a seat other than the front seat, except in vehicles with one row or when all rear belts are in use, and a rear facing seat must never sit in front of an active air bag.

3. 3. What is the maximum fine for a first Wyoming child restraint violation?

   1. $60, waived on proof that an approved restraint was acquired after the offense
   2. $500
   3. $110
   4. $25
   Show answer

   $60, waived on proof that an approved restraint was acquired after the offense. The maximum fine for a first child restraint offense is $60, and the court shall waive it on receipt of proof of purchase, lease or other acquisition of an approved restraint after the offense. Second and subsequent offenses carry a maximum $110 fine. Non use or misuse of a restraint is a primary offense, so an officer may stop a vehicle for it alone.

Source: the Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Safety Laws and Issues. 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.