Seat belts, child seats and phone laws in Vermont

By the end of this topic you can

• You can explain who must wear a seat belt and who is responsible.
• You can match a child's age to the right car seat stage.
• You can describe the phone rules for adults and for drivers under 18.
• You can list practical ways to cut distractions.

What you need to know and understand

• All occupants must use a seat belt or an approved child restraint.
• The driver is responsible for belting passengers under 18.
• For adults 18 and over, the belt law is enforced only when a driver has been stopped for another violation.
• Belt and child restraint fines are $25, then $50, then $100 for repeat violations.
• Adults may not use a handheld portable electronic device while driving, even when stopped in traffic on a public highway. Hands-free use is allowed.
• Drivers under 18 may not use any portable electronic device while driving, including when stopped on a public road.
• Device fines in the manual run from $100 to $200 for a first violation and $250 to $500 after that, with more points in work and school zones.

Car seats stage by stage

• Under 2: rear-facing car seat with a harness.
• Under 5 and out of a rear-facing seat: forward-facing seat with a harness, until the seat's height or weight limit.
• Under 8 and out of a harnessed seat: booster seat.
• Under 18 and out of a booster: seat belt.
• Under 13: ride in the back seat when practical.
• Never place a rear-facing seat in front of an active air bag.

Wearing a belt properly

The lap belt goes low and snug across the hips, not the stomach. The shoulder belt crosses the middle of the chest and over the shoulder. Never tuck it under your arm or behind your back. A belt keeps you inside the vehicle and in position to control it, and stops you being thrown into other passengers.

If you are pulled over, keep your belt fastened until the officer has seen you wearing it.

Phones and other devices

Vermont bans texting, emailing and messaging while driving, and bans handheld use of phones, tablets and laptops. Adults may use a device hands-free, meaning without either hand. Drivers under 18 may not use one at all, hands-free or not. A Junior license holder caught texting also faces a 30-day recall.

If a call is important, let a passenger handle it or stop somewhere safe first. Secure your phone so it does not fly around in a crash.

Other distractions

• Set the radio and navigation before moving, or let a passenger act as co-pilot.
• Avoid eating, drinking and grooming at the wheel.
• Keep pets in a carrier, not on your lap.
• Keep the volume low enough to hear sirens, horns and train whistles.
• If you are upset or angry, take time to calm down before driving.

Common mistakes

• Thinking a quick look at a message at a red light is allowed. The ban applies while stopped on a public highway too.
• Teen drivers using a hands-free call. Under 18, any device use is banned.
• Moving a child to a booster too early. Keep them in a harnessed seat until they outgrow it.
• Wearing the shoulder belt behind the back for comfort.

Test yourself: Seat belts, child seats and phone laws in Vermont

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

Go deeper

• Vermont Permit Practice Test
• Learning to Drive in Vermont
• Vermont Driver’s Ed and the 40-Hour Practice Certification