Seat belts, child seats and phone laws in District of Columbia

By the end of this topic you can

• You can explain who must wear a seat belt in DC.
• You can choose the right child restraint for a child's age.
• You can state the phone rules for adult drivers and for new drivers.
• You can list the fines and points for these offenses.
• You can set up your car to avoid distraction before you move off.

What you need to know and understand

• The driver and all passengers, front and back, must wear a properly fastened seat belt.
• A seat belt violation carries a $50 fine and adds points to your driving record.
• Children under 8 must ride in an infant, convertible or booster seat used as the maker instructs. A booster must be used with a lap and shoulder belt.
• Children under 3 must be in a child restraint seat, and those under 2 who are under 40 pounds or under 40 inches tall must face the rear.
• Children 8 to 15 must use a child restraint or a seat belt.
• All DC drivers must use a hands-free accessory and may not hold a phone while driving.
• Learner permit holders and drivers under 18 may not use any phone, even hands-free, except in an emergency.
• Phone violations carry a $100 fine.

Buckling up everyone

As the driver, check that everyone is buckled before you move off. Under the GRAD rules, a driver under 18 with a full license with conditions may not drive at all if anyone in the car is unbelted. If there are more passengers than belts, children 16 and under get priority for the belted seats, and an unrestrained child may never ride in the front seat.

Child restraint fines

A first child restraint offense means a $75 fine or a child restraint safety class for a $25 charge. The first fine can be waived if you show that you got an approved seat after the stop. A conviction adds 2 points to the driver's record.

Phones: what is allowed, and for whom

For a first hands-free violation, the $100 fine can be suspended if you prove you bought a hands-free accessory, but this does not apply to texting-related violations.

• Adult fully licensed drivers: hands-free only. You may not hold the phone.
• Learner permit holders and drivers under 18: no phone use at all, including hands-free.
• Everyone: you may call 911 or 311, a hospital, fire department or police in an emergency.
• Pulling over: the ban does not apply when the car is stopped somewhere it can safely remain.

Before you move off

1. Set your route in the navigation app and mount the phone.
2. Turn on a driving focus or do-not-disturb mode.
3. Choose music or audio and adjust mirrors, seat and climate.
4. Check that every passenger is buckled.
5. Only then move off.

Common mistakes

• Thinking back-seat passengers do not need belts. DC law covers all passengers.
• Moving a child out of a booster too early. Under 8, a child seat or booster is required.
• Using hands-free calls as a 17-year-old. Drivers under 18 may not use phones at all.
• Holding the phone at a red light while the car is in traffic. That still counts as driving.

Test yourself: Seat belts, child seats and phone laws in District of Columbia

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• DC Permit Practice Test