The Highway Code has some little-known guidelines that many of us will not be aware of
When you enter any vehicle, pretty much the first thing you do is put on your seatbelt. But did you know that this isn’t necessary for everyone?
According to the official Highway Code, people “must wear a seatbelt if one is fitted in the seat you’re using”. However, it also noted that “there are only a few exceptions” in which one is not required, the GOV.UK website says.
As almost all of us know, you’re also only allowed one person in each seat fitted with a seat belt. In fact, you can be fined up to £500 if you do not wear a seat belt when you’re supposed to.”
Do I need to wear a seatbelt?
You do not need to wear a seat belt if you’re:
- a driver who is reversing, or supervising a learner driver who is reversing
- in a vehicle being used for police, fire and rescue services
- a passenger in a trade vehicle and you’re investigating a fault
- driving a goods vehicle on deliveries that is travelling no more than 50 metres between stops
- a licensed taxi driver who is looking for customers either by being hailed in the street or by waiting at a taxi rank (known as ‘plying for hire’)
- a licensed taxi driver or a driver of a private hire vehicle who is carrying passengers – private hire vehicles include minicabs, chauffeur services or limousines.
- told by your doctor you do not need to
There are also medical exemptions that may exempt you from wearing one. The officials stated: “Your doctor may say you do not have to wear a seat belt for a medical reason. They’ll give you a ‘Certificate of Exemption from Compulsory Seat Belt Wearing’.
You must keep this in your vehicle and show it to the police if you’re stopped. You’ll also need to tell your car insurer.
Do you have kids in the car?
If you have kids in the car, you must make sure that any children in the vehicle you’re driving are:
- in the correct car seat for their height or weight until they reach 135 centimetres tall or their 12th birthday, whichever is first
- wearing a seatbelt if they’re 12 or 13 years old, or younger and over 135cm tall
Drivers have been warned: “You can be fined up to £500 if a child under 14 is not in the correct car seat or wearing a seatbelt while you’re driving.”
Do I need to wear a seatbelt if I am pregnant or disabled?
Yes, you need to wear one if you’re pregnant, unless your doctor says you do not have to for medical reasons. You also need to put one on if you’re a disabled driver or passenger.
Just like if you are advised not to whilst pregnant, you also do not need to wear one unless you do not have to for medical reasons. You may need to adapt your vehicle, it warns.
I’m worried – my vehicle does not have seatbelts
Don’t panic. The motoring experts have explained that if your vehicle does not have seatbelts, for example, it’s a classic car, then this is ok. However, you can’t “carry any children under 3 years old in it. Children over 3 are only allowed to sit in the back seats. These rules only apply if your vehicle was originally made without seat belts.”