Hitting the open road in your RV with your family is the classic American vacation. Discovering magnificent new locations is what makes the whole trip so exhilarating. Since you’ll likely be traveling on the interstates and highways, it’s important to familiarize yourself with RV seatbelt laws to avoid getting caught up on the wrong side of the law.
Can you ride in an RV without a seatbelt? This article explores the answer to that question and more.
RV Seat Belt Laws by State
Seat belt laws for RVs vary widely by state. Things can get a little dicey if you’re crossing state lines. As a rule of thumb, it’s always easier to abide by the rules in the state with the most stringent regulations. That way, you know you won’t be breaking any laws regardless of which state you travel to.
As far as RV seat belt laws go, you can sit in any location in your vehicle. However, it doesn’t mean that every spot in your RV is safe to ride in. It’s always a good idea to strap up wherever you’re seated as opposed to not being strapped in at all.
Here’s a brief overview of the RV seat belt laws in various states across the country.
- Alabama: passengers in the back and not required to buckle up.
- Alaska: all passengers in the RV should wear a seatbelt.
- Arizona: children aged 15 years and below should wear a seatbelt in the backseats.
- Arkansas: all passengers in the RV should be buckled up at all times.
- California: all passengers in RV should wear a seatbelt at all times.
- Colorado: all passengers in the vehicle should be buckled up at all times.
- Connecticut: children in the backseat aged 16 years and below should be buckled up at all times.
- Delaware: every passenger in the RV should wear a seatbelt at all times.
- Florida: passengers in the backseat aged 18 years and below should wear a seatbelt at all times.
- Georgia: passengers in the back seats aged 18 years and below are required to wear seat belts at all times.
- Hawaii: every passenger in the RV should be buckled up at all times.
- Idaho: every passenger in the RV should wear a seat belt at all times. This rule does not apply for RVs that weigh 8000 pounds and above.
- Illinois: all passengers aged 15 years and below should be buckled up at all times.
- Indiana: passengers in the back of the RV can ride without a seatbelt.
- Iowa: all passengers need to be buckled up at all times.
- Kansas: children age 14 years and below riding in the back seats need to be buckled up at all times.
- Kentucky: the law requires all passengers in the RV to be buckled up while the vehicle is in motion.
- Louisiana: children aged 12 years and below need to have seat belts on while riding in the backseat.
- Maine: all passengers in the RV are required to buckle up.
- Maryland: adults riding in the back seats do not need to wear a seatbelt. On the other hand, all children need to be buckled up at all times.
- Massachusetts: all passengers are required to wear a seatbelt.
- Michigan: all children riding in the backseat aged 15 years and below have to wear a seatbelt at all times.
- Minnesota: children aged 10 years and below riding the back seats need to wear seat belts at all times.
- Mississippi: children aged 10 years and under need to be buckled up at all times when riding in the backseat.
- Missouri: children aged 15 years and below need to be buckled up at all times when riding in the back seats.
- Montana: all passengers riding in the RV need to wear seat belts at all times.
- Nebraska: all passengers aged 18 years and below need to be strapped in at all times.
- Nevada: all passengers riding in the RV need to wear seat belts at all times if the vehicle is traveling at more than 15 mph.
- New Hampshire: all passengers in the RV are required to wear a seatbelt unless the RV is a 1968 model or older.
- New Jersey: children aged 17 years and below are required to wear a seatbelt at all times.
- New Mexico: all passengers in the RV need to be buckled up at all times.
- New York: children aged 15 years and below are required to wear seat belts if they’re riding in the backseats.
- North Carolina: children aged 16 years and below are required to wear seat belts at all times if they’re riding in the backseats.
- North Dakota: children aged 17 years and below are required to buckle up at all times when riding in the backseats.
- Ohio: only riders in the front seats are required to buckle up while the RV is in motion.
- Oklahoma: children aged 12 years and below are required to wear seat belts when riding in the backseats.
- Oregon: all passengers are required to buckle up while the RV is moving.
- Pennsylvania: children aged 18 years and below need to be strapped in at all times when riding in the backseats.
- Rhode Island: all passengers are required to wear a seatbelt at all times.
- South Carolina: all passengers need to be buckled up at all times.
- Tennessee: children aged 16 years and below need to be buckled up at all times when riding in the back seats.
- Texas: children aged 17 years and below are required to wear seat belts at all times when riding in the RV.
- Utah: everyone in the RV is required to wear a seatbelt
- Vermont: all passengers need to be strapped in a moving RV.
- Virginia: children aged 16 years and below need to be buckled up when riding in the backseats.
- Washington: all passengers in the RV need to have the seatbelt on while the vehicle is in motion.
- West Virginia: children aged 17 years and below are required to wear seat belts at all times while riding in the backseats.
- Wisconsin: children aged 15 years and below are required to wear seat belts while riding in the back seats.
- Wyoming: all passengers have to be buckled up while the RV is in motion.
FAQ
Can You Ride in a Towable RV?
In most states across the country, it is illegal for passengers to ride inside any towable RV. It’s important to look up what the state law has to say about it. For instance, Kansas and Alabama allow passengers to ride inside a towable RV.
Is It Legal to Ride in a 5th Wheel RV?
5th wheel RV laws vary by state. It is illegal in some states and prohibited in others. Be sure to check the laws in the state you’re driving through to avoid getting caught up on the wrong side of the law.
Is It Legal to Ride in an RV Trailer?
It is legal in some states and illegal in others. In states where riding in RV trailers is legal, additional laws may require all windows of the camper trailer to be made of safety glass before any passenger can ride inside.
Can You Sleep in RV Bed While Driving?
The answer to this depends on the state you’re traveling in. In most states, it is generally legal to sleep in a towable travel trailer if state law does not prohibit you from riding in it. It is generally legal for adults to sleep in an RV bed if state law allows them to ride in the backseat without being buckled up.
Can You Put Child Seats in an RV?
RV child seat laws require children to be buckled in at all times when riding in a moving vehicle, RVs included. Ensure the sitting positions in the RV cabs are appropriate for car seat installations.
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