California Vehicle Code 27315 requires drivers and passengers 16 years of age and older to wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt whenever the vehicle is in motion. The driver is also responsible for ensuring passengers under 16 are properly restrained. California's seat belt law is a primary enforcement law — officers can stop a vehicle solely for a seat belt violation. The citation is a non-point infraction, but fines after assessments typically reach $162 or more.
A person 16 years of age or over shall not operate a motor vehicle on a highway unless that person and all passengers 16 years of age or over are properly restrained by a safety belt.
(d)(2)
A person shall not operate a motor vehicle on a highway unless all passengers under 16 years of age are properly restrained.
(e)
A person 16 years of age or over shall not be a passenger in a motor vehicle on a highway unless that person is properly restrained by a safety belt.
Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 983, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2000.
Fine & Penalty Amounts
Estimated totals include all mandatory state and county penalty assessments. Actual amounts vary by county court.
Violation Range
Est. Total with Assessments
Notes
Driver not wearing seat belt
~$162
Non-point infraction.
Passenger not wearing seat belt
~$162
Driver is cited for unrestrained passengers under 16.
Base fines are low but California's mandatory penalty assessments bring the total to approximately $162 per violation. The driver can receive separate citations for each unrestrained minor passenger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions drivers search for after receiving this citation.
Under VC 27315, the driver is responsible for ensuring all passengers are properly restrained. The driver receives the citation for any unrestrained passenger who is under 16. Passengers 16 and older can be cited independently for not wearing their own belt.
No. Seat belt violations under VC 27315 are non-point infractions in California. A conviction does not add DMV points to your driving record.
The base fine is $20. After California's mandatory penalty assessments, the total typically reaches approximately $162. The exact total varies by county.
Yes. VC 27315 provides limited exemptions including drivers with a physician-certified medical condition, postal carriers making frequent stops at low speed, and certain emergency vehicle operators. The exemption must be documented — an officer can still stop a vehicle to verify.
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California drivers who receive this citation often have questions about these related violations.
