Skip to main content
Clear icon
58º

Ask Trooper Steve: Are there any times a seat belt is NOT required by law?

Florida law requires the use of safety belts for all drivers and passengers in motorized vehicles, with some exceptions, Trooper Steve says

FLORIDA – News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve Montiero answers viewer questions about the rules of the road every week, helping Central Florida residents become better drivers by being better educated.

The question this week: Are there any times a seat belt is NOT required by law?

[TRENDING: Florida flight diverted after man accused of threatening passengers with box cutter | Father calls for answers after 18-year-old daughter found fatally shot in Sanford | Become a News 6 Insider]

“There are some questions out there that make me a little uncomfortable answering because I don’t want anyone going into any situation unsafe,” Trooper Steve said, “although there are times when a seatbelt is not required, I standby what I say when I say, please, if there is a seatbelt present in the vehicle you are in, use it”.

Florida law requires the use of safety belts for all drivers and passengers in motorized vehicles, except:

  • Those with medical certification stating that the use of a seat belt could be dangerous.
    • Those with that certification are urged to keep a copy in their vehicle at all time.
  • Employees of newspaper home delivery services, HOWEVER, drivers must put on a seatbelt as soon as their job is complete.
  • Those travelling in a school bus purchased new prior to Dec. 31
  • Those travelling on a bus used for the transportation of persons of compensation (i.e. Lynx)
  • Those travelling on farm equipment
  • Those driving a truck with a net weight of more than 26,000 pounds.

About the Authors
Steve Montiero headshot

Steven Montiero, better known as “Trooper Steve," joined the News 6 morning team as its Traffic Safety Expert in October 2017. A Central Florida native and decorated combat veteran, Montiero comes to the station following an eight-year assignment with the Florida Highway Patrol.

Penny De La Cruz headshot

Penny De La Cruz started working at WKMG-TV in September 2021. Before joining News 6, Penny worked at KSAT 12 in San Antonio, Texas.

Loading...