Can I sit in the back seat without a seatbelt?
No: the seatbelt is mandatory for all occupants, including in the back seat. Under the Road Code, wearing a seatbelt is mandatory for all vehicle occupants, regardless of where they sit — front or back, in or out of town. There are no exceptions for rear passengers. An adult passenger not wearing the belt can be sanctioned directly, not just the driver. The sanction is class I (2–3 fine points, about 405–607 lei). The driver must warn passengers about the need to wear the belt; if they don't, they can also be sanctioned. Exceptions are rare and must be justified with documents (e.g. proven medical conditions). In short: put on your belt in the back seat too — it saves lives and avoids a fine.
📋 The rules
- The belt is mandatory for all occupants
- Applies in the back seat too, with no usual exceptions
- An adult passenger can be sanctioned directly
- Class I fine: 2–3 points (~405–607 lei)
- The driver must warn passengers
🔓 Exceptions
- Medical conditions proven with official documents: a rare exception
- Special vehicles specifically provided by law
- Children: own rules on the car seat (up to 135 cm)
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Not using the belt in the back seat is sanctioned as a class I breach: 2–3 fine points, i.e. about 405–607 lei. For adult passengers, the fine can be applied directly to the person not wearing the belt, not only to the driver. The driver is liable if they didn't warn passengers and can be fined up to about 607 lei. Beyond the fine, the real risk is in a crash: without a belt, a rear passenger can be thrown forward, seriously injured and endangering the front occupants too. To stay compliant and safe: wear your belt wherever you sit, make sure all passengers wear theirs and, if you have children, use the right car seat.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Is the seatbelt mandatory in the back seat?
Yes. The Road Code requires the seatbelt for all vehicle occupants, regardless of where they sit, front or back, in or out of town. There are no usual exceptions for rear passengers, and not wearing the belt is sanctioned.
Who is fined if the rear passenger has no belt?
For adult passengers, the fine can be applied directly to the person not wearing the belt, not just the driver. In addition, the driver must warn passengers about the need to wear the belt and can be sanctioned if they don't. Liability is therefore shared.
What's the fine for no seatbelt?
Not using the belt is a class I breach, fined with 2–3 fine points, i.e. about 405–607 lei. The same sanction applies whether it's a front or rear passenger. From July 2026, the fine-point value rises, so the amount can be higher.
Are there exceptions to wearing the belt?
Exceptions are rare and must be justified with official documents, for example for certain people with proven medical conditions or for certain special vehicles provided by law. Otherwise, the belt is mandatory for all occupants, and children use a car seat up to 135 cm.
Why does the rear belt matter?
In a crash, a rear passenger without a belt can be thrown forward with great force, seriously injured and potentially injuring the front occupants too. The belt greatly reduces the risk of serious injury. So wearing it in the back seat is just as important as in front.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “rear seatbelt mandatory”
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