Can police pull you over for not wearing your seat belt in Kansas or Missouri?
Wearing your seat belt while traveling on the road is always recommended. It helps keep drivers and passengers safe.
But when you see flashing lights in the rearview mirror, you may want to make sure you and your passengers are buckled up to avoid a ticket.
One reader, who was pulled over recently for not wearing her seat belt, wondered if police officers are required to issue a citation for that.
It turns out that Kansas and Missouri laws differ regarding who is required to wear a seat belt, whether police can make a traffic stop for that reason only, and what legal penalties exist for traveling unsecured.
Here’s what to know about seat belt laws on each side of the state line.
Can I be pulled over in Missouri for not wearing a seat belt?
According to Missouri law, police cannot pull you over purely because you don’t have a seat belt on.
“No person shall be stopped, inspected, or detained solely to determine compliance with this subsection,” Missouri’s seat belt law reads. “Noncompliance with this subsection shall not constitute probable cause for violation of any other provision of law.”
However, if you’re pulled over for other reasons, officials can fine you $10 for not wearing a seat belt. Issuing this citation is up to officers’ discretion, Missouri State Highway Patrol spokesperson Andrew Bell said — they may send you on your way with just a verbal warning and no fine.
Seat belts are required for all drivers and front seat passengers in Missouri, as well as all children under age 16 in cars and under age 18 in trucks.
There are a few exceptions to Missouri’s seat belt law. You don’t have to wear a seat belt if:
Your vehicle was made before 1968
You are a U.S. Postal Service employee
You have a medical condition that prevents you from wearing a seat belt
You are in the vehicle for “agricultural work-related activities”
Can I be pulled over in Kansas for not wearing a seat belt?
In Kansas, you can be pulled over simply for not wearing a seat belt in the front seat of a car. However, police cannot pull you over for someone in the back seat not wearing a seat belt.
“Law enforcement officers shall not stop drivers for violations of (the seat belt law) by a back seat occupant in the absence of another violation of law,” Kansas statute reads.
Kansas’ seat belt laws are stricter than Missouri’s. In Kansas, all the passengers of a vehicle are required to wear seat belts — not just those in the front seats. The fine for not wearing your seat belt in Kansas is $30, and jumps to $60 for those aged 14 through 18.
While officers don’t have to issue this citation, they usually will, said Jodi Clary, a Topeka-based state trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol.
“It’s a discretionary thing, but in a lot of cases they issue citations — especially if you’re talking about child passengers,” she said.
You are not required to wear your seat belt in Kansas if:
Your vehicle was not made with seat belts
You have a doctor’s note stating you are not medically able to wear a seat belt
You work as a mail carrier
You work as a newspaper delivery person
Do you have more questions about transportation in Missouri or Kansas? Ask the service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
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