Wyoming · Handbook chapter 4 · 2 min read
Chapter 4: Safety belts and child restraints
Wyoming's safety belt law, how to wear a belt, the child restraint law for children under 9, booster seats, exemptions and fines.
Why this chapter matters
An average of about 100 people died on Wyoming roads each year from 2015 to 2019, and more than half were not wearing seat belts.
Safety belt law
- Every occupant, including the driver, must wear a belt, and the driver is responsible.
- Wear the lap belt snug across the hip bones, never across the stomach. Do not wear the shoulder strap alone.
- Exemptions include a doctor's written statement, vehicles not built with belts, postal carriers on duty, children in proper restraints and front-seat riders when every belt is in use.
Child restraint law
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who | Children who have not reached their ninth birthday |
| Where | Not in the front seat, unless the vehicle has one row or all belts are used by other children |
| Air bags | Never put a rear-facing seat in front of an active air bag |
| Enforcement | Primary offense: police can stop you for it |
| Fines | Up to $60 first (waived with proof of buying a restraint); up to $110 later |
A child under 9 may use a seat belt instead if the adult lap and shoulder belt sits correctly over the collarbone, chest and hips.
Booster seat tips
A belt-positioning booster protects children over 40 pounds. A child fits an adult belt when they can sit with back against the seat, knees bent over the edge and feet flat for the whole trip, with the shoulder belt across the chest and the lap belt low on the hips.
Frequently asked questions
Until what age must a child use a car seat in Wyoming?
Until the ninth birthday, unless the adult belt fits properly.
Can I be stopped just for a child not being restrained?
Yes. It is a primary offense.
Based on Rules of the Road, the Wyoming Driver License Manual (Wyoming Department of Transportation).