The Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts by adults) (Jersey) Order 2009

Anyone travelling in the front or rear of a vehicle, a small goods van or a minibus must wear seat-belts. Some drivers and passengers are exempt.

Passengers over the age of fourteen are responsible for making sure that they have fastened their own seat belt. The driver of the vehicle is responsible for passengers under the age of fourteen. A fine of £50 may be given to the driver and passenger (if over 18 years of age).

Further information can be found on here

Children under the age of 14 – Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts by Children) (Jersey) Order 1998

Children under the age of 3 years must wear an appropriate child restraint. Children over the age of 3 and under 11 can wear either a children’s restraint, if available, or an adult seat belt.

Children aged 12 or 13 must wear an adult seat belt. A fine of £50 may be given to the driver.

Further information can be found on here.

Vehicles that are exempt from having seat belts fitted

Certain vehicles are exempt from having seat belts fitted. These include the following vehicles:

• Cars manufactured before 31 August 1966 and first registered before 1 January 1967
• Goods vehicles with an un-laden weight of 1525 kilos and over
• Mini-buses licensed to carry more than 16 passengers
• Tractors
• Work trucks
• Electrically powered delivery vehicles such as milk floats
• Pedestrian controlled vehicles
• Imported vehicle which has not been fitted with seat belt anchorage points. The vehicle is exempt when it is being driven between the entry point into Jersey and the owner’s home, then from the owner’s home to a garage where an appointment has been pre-booked to have seat belts fitted.

Drivers and passengers exempted from wearing seat belts

Sometimes, drivers and/or passengers are exempt from wearing seat belts.

Some examples are:

• Delivery drivers who make lots of stops, for example postmen when delivering the mail. They should wear a seat belt driving to and from their rounds. Drivers who do not make many stops are not exempt from wearing seat belts.
• You don’t have to wear a seat belt while doing certain things in a vehicle, such as reversing or driving slowly into a parking space.
• A learner driver’s passenger when the driver is reversing or manoeuvring into a parking space.
• Taxi and cab drivers need not wear a seat belt when engaged in their duties.
• Fire Service personnel when answering emergency calls and donning operational clothing.
• Police drivers when testing a vehicle.
• Police when escorting or protecting another person.
• Mechanics investigating faults when riding as a passenger in a car with a trade plate.
• People holding a current exemption certificate on health grounds

Note: A full list can be seen in the Motor Vehicle (Wearing of Seat Belts by Adults) (Jersey) Order 2009

Exemption on medical grounds

It is possible to be exempt from wearing a seat belt on health grounds. This will vary from short-term exemptions for something like a temporary back problem, to long-term exemptions. If requested to produce a medical certificate by the police, the person must do so within five days.

Who issues the certificates of exemption on medical grounds?

For short-term exemptions for periods not exceeding one month, the person’s doctor can issue a certificate of exemption. For periods of over one month, it is necessary to get an exemption certificate from the Medical Office of Health.

Further information can be found in Article 41 to 43 of the Road Traffic Law (Jersey) 1956