Seat belts and car seats save lives—but only when used correctly.
New Jersey law mandates safety restraints for all vehicle occupants:

• Adult Seat Belt Law:
  • Drivers and front-seat passengers (all ages) must wear lap & shoulder belts.
  • Children under 18 must be buckled anywhere in the vehicle.
  • Violations are a primary offense—officers can stop you solely for an unbelted occupant .
• Child Passenger Safety:
  • Under 2 years or < 30 lbs: Rear-facing child restraint with five-point harness.
  • Age 2–4 and < 40 lbs: Forward-facing child restraint with five-point harness.
  • Under 8 years and < 57 inches: Booster seat in rear; once outgrown, still use a booster until age 8 or height limit .
• Air Bag Awareness:
  • Front-seat airbags supplement—not replace—seat belts.
  • Never place rear-facing seats in front of an active passenger-side air bag.

Tips for Proper Use

• Position lap belt low across hips, shoulder belt over collarbone.
• Read and follow every car seat manufacturer’s instructions.
• Replace car seats after a crash or once they exceed the manufacturer’s date.

Your next DMVSlots alert could help you snag a testing appointment—just remember: once you hit the road, buckle everyone up. Safe journeys start with safety first!