Safety Belts & Child Safety
Search names, statutes, classifications, penalties, points, and enforcement notes.
5 offenses
Child restraint violation
Florida Statute § 316.613
Children age 5 or younger in covered vehicles need a properly used, federally approved restraint: a separate carrier or integrated seat through age 3; a carrier, integrated seat, or booster for ages 4–5. For ages 4–5, a safety belt may substitute during a qualifying gratuitous non-immediate-family ride, the child's medical emergency, or a documented medical condition. Verify age, restraint fit/use, vehicle exclusions, and any exception. Compensated chauffeur transport shifts statutory responsibility to the parent/guardian or person responsible for the child rather than eliminating protection altogether.
Leaving child unattended in motor vehicle
Florida Statute § 316.6135
A responsible person may not leave a child younger than 6 unattended/unsupervised in a motor vehicle for more than 15 minutes, or for any time while the engine runs, the child's health is endangered, or the child appears distressed. The over-15-minute track is criminal; the engine/danger/distress track is civil unless additional facts support an enhanced offense. Causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement invokes a felony track. Document age, duration, responsibility, supervision, and conditions. Officers may use reasonably necessary means to protect and remove the child.
Safety belt violation — driver
Florida Statute § 316.614
A driver of a covered motor vehicle or autocycle must be properly belted and must ensure every occupant under 18 is restrained by a belt or required child restraint. The law also covers a vehicle stationary at a traffic-control device. Check physician certification, specified delivery/collection-route duties, federal-equipment exclusions, and excluded vehicle/living-area categories. Record driver/child age, seating, restraint use, and exception facts. An adult front-seat passenger's own violation is a separate track.
Safety belt violation — passenger
Florida Statute § 316.614
An adult passenger age 18 or older in the front seat of a covered motor vehicle or autocycle must wear a properly fastened and adjusted safety belt while it is moving. This subsection does not impose the same requirement on adult rear-seat passengers; under-18 occupants are covered through the operator's duty. Verify age, seat location, vehicle type, and statutory medical, occupational, or equipment exceptions. A loose or unfastened belt does not meet the restraint definition.
Unlawful riding on exterior of vehicle
Florida Statute § 316.2015
An operator may not let someone ride on specified exterior parts of a passenger vehicle, such as the hood, roof, bumper, or trunk, on publicly maintained roads. Riding elsewhere not designed for passengers has occupational, emergency, and truck-body exceptions. Under-18 riders in an open pickup/flatbed body on limited-access roads need the specified secure seating/restraints, subject to medical-emergency and county exemptions. Exhibitions/parades are separately excepted. Identify vehicle type, rider age/position, road, and exception; operator and rider tracks differ in classification.