New Hampshire law requires that any child under the age of eighteen riding as a passenger in a motor vehicle be secured by either a seat belt or a child safety seat and that any child under the age of seven be secured by an approved child restraint (RSA 265:107-a). It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that all child-passengers are properly restrained. There are only four exceptions to this requirement. Children do not have to be restrained:
- in taxis and buses
- in vehicles manufactured prior to 1968
- when they have physical conditions that prevent the use of seat belts or child safety seats, and
- under certain special-education conditions.
If you fail to have a child passenger "buckle up," you face a first offense fine of $50, and a second offense fine of $100.
Source:
New Hampshire Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General
