Seat belts, child seats and phone laws in Washington

By the end of this topic you can

• You can say who must wear a seat belt and who is responsible for children.
• You can describe the stages of child restraint required in Washington.
• You can explain what the E-DUI law bans, including at red lights.
• You can explain the stricter device rule for permit and intermediate drivers.
• You can set up your car to avoid distraction before you drive.

What you need to know and understand

• Everyone 16 or older must wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt.
• The driver must make sure every passenger under 16 is belted or in a proper child restraint.
• Children under 2 ride rear-facing; under 4, in a harnessed seat; then a booster until 4 feet 9 inches tall.
• Children under 13 should ride in the back seat where practical.
• Under the E-DUI law, you may not hold a phone or other personal electronic device while driving, even when stopped in traffic or at a light.
• A second E-DUI offense carries twice the penalty.
• Permit and intermediate drivers may not use any wireless device while driving, hands-free included, except in emergencies.

Buckling up everyone

All drivers and passengers aged 16 and over must wear a seat belt that is fastened and adjusted properly. As the driver, you are responsible for every passenger under 16.

Washington's child restraint law sets these stages:

• Under 2: rear-facing car seat, until the seat maker's height or weight limit.
• Under 4: forward-facing seat with a harness, once they outgrow rear-facing.
• Under 4 feet 9 inches: a booster seat until the lap and shoulder belt fit properly, often around ages 8 to 12.
• Under 13: in the back seat where practical.

The E-DUI law for every driver

Washington's law on driving under the influence of electronics bans holding a phone, tablet or similar device in one or both hands while driving. It also bans using your fingers to type, read, browse or view messages, photos or data, and watching video. Minimal finger use to switch a function on or off is allowed, and you may always contact emergency services.

Driving includes being stopped in traffic or at a light. You are only exempt once you have pulled off the active roadway to a safe spot. A second offense costs twice as much. A separate dangerously distracted infraction, with a $30 base penalty, can be added if any distraction affects your driving after you are stopped for something else.

Stricter rules while you are learning

On a permit or intermediate license, you may not use a wireless device at all while driving, except to report illegal activity, call for emergency help or prevent injury. There is no hands-free exception, and police can enforce this rule on its own. Set your music and navigation before you move, and switch on a driving focus mode. Our guide to the Washington E-DUI distracted driving law explains the details.

Common mistakes

• Checking a text at a red light. Stopped in traffic still counts as driving.
• Assuming teen drivers may use hands-free calling. Permit and intermediate drivers may not use any wireless device while driving.
• Moving a child to a booster too early. Follow the age, height and seat maker's limits.
• Letting a passenger under 16 ride unbelted. The driver is responsible.

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

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

Go deeper

• Washington E-DUI Distracted Driving Law Explained
• Washington Permit Practice Test
• Learning to Drive in Washington State