Occupant restraint laws

Laws that drivers and occupants must follow while driving.

Seat belts

  • Drivers and passengers must wear an occupant restraint.
  • It is the driver's responsibility to ensure children aged 6 to 15 (or children younger than 6 who weigh more than 18kg/40lbs) are wearing a seat belt.
  • Seat belts must be worn properly adjusted and securely fastened.
  • Seat belts must not be removed from the vehicle or modified.
  • Learner and probationary (GDL) drivers must not have more passengers than there are seat belts.

Child restraints

It is the driver's responsibility to ensure children younger than 6 who weigh 18kg (40lbs) or less are in a properly installed child restraint.

For more details, see Child seats.

Standards

Occupant restraints must meet Canadian standards.

For more information, see:

Exemptions

Seat belts and child restraints are not required (but are still recommended) to be used:

  • in vehicles not designed or equipped with seat belt assemblies by their manufacturers
  • in vehicles being used in the course of making deliveries and being driven at 40km/h or less
  • in vehicles being driven in an authorized municipal parade
  • by a person who has a letter from a qualified medical practitioner certifying that person cannot use a seat belt or child restraint due to medical reasons or physical characteristics

Child restraints are not required (but are still recommended) in:

  • taxis
  • emergency vehicles
  • vehicles rented/leased for 14 days or shorter

Penalties

  • There is a $162 fine for not complying with occupant restraint laws.
  • GDL drivers will also receive 2 demerit points if they drive with more passengers than there are seat belts.