Know these Exceptions to Colorado’s Seatbelt Laws

There's no question that the safest way to travel in a vehicle is with your seatbelt fastened, and in most cases across the state of Colorado, it's the law. However, there are a few instances in which it's technically not illegal to be cruising around unbuckled.

Exceptions to Colorado's Seatbelt Law: Old Cars

One exception made to Colorado's "click it or ticket" philosophy is if the vehicle being operated is old enough that it wasn't mandated to have seatbelts installed. Currently, if a vehicle was manufactured before July 1, 1971, without seatbelts, it's perfectly legal to drive the vehicle as such.

Exceptions to Colorado's Seatbelt Law: Passengers with Disabilities

Another exception to mandatory seatbelts is if a passenger has a mental or physical disability that prevents them from being able to wear one, it's legal for them to ride unbuckled.

Exceptions to Colorado's Seatbelt Law: Adults in the Backseat

This one may come as a surprise to you, but passengers over the age of 18 are not legally required to wear seatbelts if they're riding in the backseat of a vehicle, though it's still recommended.

Exceptions to Colorado's Seatbelt Laws for Children

There are an entirely different set of laws in Colorado regarding seatbelts if the passenger is a child, as well as different exceptions to the law.

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For example, children must always either wear a seatbelt or some kind of restraint depending on the size of the child unless the child is experiencing a medical emergency and proper restraints aren't available, if the child is traveling in a special child care center vehicle, or if the vehicle is something like a limousine or any other vehicle that is not mandated by law to have seatbelts.

In addition, the aforementioned law for vehicles manufactured before July 1, 1971, applies to children as well, though it's never recommended that children ride in any vehicle without proper restraint.