Massachusetts: Seat belts and child safety Practice Test
The Massachusetts safety belt law, child passenger safety seats and boosters, and air bags.
Independent educational site · not affiliated with any government agency or DMV
Ready? Test yourself
- Instant feedback with an explanation
- Every answer cites its source in the manual
- Your best score is saved on this device
Questions are original and based on the official manual "Massachusetts Driver's Manual" (Revised April 2026), Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.
All 26 questions in this practice test
Take the test above first, then use this list to study. Tap “Show answer” to see the correct answer and explanation.
Show the questions and answersHide the questions
-
Massachusetts safety belt law covers vans and small trucks under what weight?
- 8,000 lbs.
- 10,000 lbs.
- 18,000 lbs.
- 12,000 lbs.
Show answer
Correct answer: 18,000 lbs.
The law covers every person in a passenger motor vehicle, including vans and small trucks under 18,000 lbs.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 35 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 35)
-
What is the fine for a driver who is not wearing a safety belt?
- $25
- $50
- $100
- $250
Show answer
Correct answer: $25
Any driver who is not wearing a safety belt can be fined $25.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 35 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 35)
-
A passenger of what age or older who is not wearing a safety belt can be fined $25?
- 16
- 18
- 19
- 21
Show answer
Correct answer: 16
Any passenger 16 years old or older who is not wearing a safety belt can be fined $25.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 35 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 35)
-
What can happen to a driver if a passenger age 12, 13, 14, or 15 is not wearing a safety belt?
- Only the passenger can be fined, not the driver
- The driver can be fined $100 for each such passenger
- The driver can be fined $25 for each such passenger
- The driver's license is suspended for 30 days
Show answer
Correct answer: The driver can be fined $25 for each such passenger
A driver can be fined $25 for each passenger age 12, 13, 14, or 15 who is not wearing a safety belt.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 35 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 35)
-
When can you get a fine for the safety belt law?
- Any time a police officer sees you without a belt
- Only when you are stopped for a traffic violation
- Only at a police checkpoint
- Only when you are in a crash
Show answer
Correct answer: Only when you are stopped for a traffic violation
The manual says you can only get a fine for the safety belt law when you are stopped for a traffic violation.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 35 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 35)
-
Drivers and passengers of vehicles made before what date do not need to wear safety belts?
- July 1976
- January 1986
- January 1956
- July 1966
Show answer
Correct answer: July 1966
The manual lists drivers and passengers of vehicles made before July 1966 among those who do not need to wear safety belts.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 35 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 35)
-
Who must certify that a person physically cannot wear a safety belt because of a disability?
- A police officer
- A driving school instructor
- A physician
- The vehicle's manufacturer
Show answer
Correct answer: A physician
A person who physically cannot wear a safety belt because of a disability is exempt, but a physician must certify the disability.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 35 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 35)
-
Which driver does not need to wear a safety belt?
- A U.S. Postal Service employee driving while working
- A driver of a pickup truck weighing under 18,000 pounds
- A driver whose vehicle has front air bags
- A driver who is only making a short trip near home
Show answer
Correct answer: A U.S. Postal Service employee driving while working
The manual lists an employee of the U.S. Postal Service who is driving a motor vehicle while working among those who do not need to wear safety belts.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 35 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 35)
-
Until what point must infants and small children sit in federally approved child passenger restraints?
- They are at least five years old or at least forty inches tall
- They are at least ten years old or at least fifty inches tall
- They are at least twelve years old and at least sixty inches tall
- They are at least eight years old or at least fifty-seven inches tall
Show answer
Correct answer: They are at least eight years old or at least fifty-seven inches tall
Children at least eight years old or at least fifty-seven inches tall must wear safety belts instead of a child restraint.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 36 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 36)
-
What must a child restraint have to show that it meets the necessary standards?
- A registration card issued by the RMV
- A sticker saying it meets the standards
- A stamped serial number plate
- A certificate signed by a physician
Show answer
Correct answer: A sticker saying it meets the standards
The child restraint must have a sticker that says it meets the necessary standards.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 36 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 36)
-
How must a child restraint be attached in a motor vehicle?
- Held in place by an adult passenger sitting beside it
- Permanently attached, or by a safety belt or attachment system
- Placed loose on the seat with the child's belt fastened
- Set on the floor behind the front seat, tied with a strap
Show answer
Correct answer: Permanently attached, or by a safety belt or attachment system
The restraint must be permanently attached to a motor vehicle or attached by a safety belt or an attachment system.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 36 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 36)
-
When must you never put a back-facing child safety seat in the front passenger seat?
- If the child is asleep
- If the child weighs more than 20 pounds
- If the seat has a lap belt only
- If your vehicle has an air bag for that seat
Show answer
Correct answer: If your vehicle has an air bag for that seat
The manual says never to put a back-facing child safety seat in the front passenger seat if the vehicle has an air bag for that seat.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 36 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 36)
-
Which seat is best for a child to sit in?
- The back middle seat
- The front passenger seat
- The back seat behind the driver
- The back seat behind the front passenger
Show answer
Correct answer: The back middle seat
The safest place for a child is the back seat, and the back middle seat is best.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 36 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 36)
-
Which way must infant seats face?
- The front of the vehicle
- The driver's side door
- The back of the vehicle
- The passenger-side door
Show answer
Correct answer: The back of the vehicle
Infant seats must face the back of the vehicle.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 36 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 36)
-
Which weight range does the manual's guide to child safety seats give for a booster seat?
- Up to 20 pounds
- 20-40 pounds
- 80-100 pounds
- 40-80 pounds
Show answer
Correct answer: 40-80 pounds
The manual lists booster seats for children of 40-80 pounds.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 36 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 36)
-
Which weight range does the manual's guide to child safety seats give for a toddler convertible seat?
- Up to 20 pounds
- 20-40 pounds
- 40-80 pounds
- 80-100 pounds
Show answer
Correct answer: 20-40 pounds
The manual lists toddler convertible seats for children of 20-40 pounds.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 36 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 36)
-
Which weight range does the manual's guide to child safety seats give for an infant seat?
- 20-40 pounds
- 40-80 pounds
- Up to 20 pounds
- 80-100 pounds
Show answer
Correct answer: Up to 20 pounds
The manual lists infant seats for babies up to 20 pounds.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 36 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 36)
-
How should a lap belt fit?
- Low, tight, and flat over the hips
- High and snug across the stomach
- Loosely across the lower ribs
- Twisted once so it stays in place
Show answer
Correct answer: Low, tight, and flat over the hips
A lap belt should fit low, tight, and flat over the hips, and it should not be twisted.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
-
How should a shoulder belt be worn?
- Across the shoulder and chest
- Under the arm and across the stomach
- Across the neck and one shoulder
- Across the stomach and hips
Show answer
Correct answer: Across the shoulder and chest
A shoulder belt should be worn across the shoulder and chest, never under the arm or across the face or neck.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
-
If you are not wearing a safety belt in a head-on crash, why will you hit the windshield?
- The windshield moves toward you when the vehicle stops
- The air bag pushes you forward into the glass
- Your body keeps moving after the vehicle stops
- The seat slides forward in the crash
Show answer
Correct answer: Your body keeps moving after the vehicle stops
The vehicle stops moving in a head-on crash, but without a belt your body keeps moving until it hits something hard, like the windshield.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
-
Even if you are upside down, how long does it take to undo your safety belt?
- About ten seconds
- Less than a second
- About thirty seconds
- About a minute
Show answer
Correct answer: Less than a second
The manual says it takes less than a second to undo your belt, even if you are upside down.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
-
Front air bags are made only for which type of crash?
- Side crashes
- Rear-end crashes
- Rollover crashes
- Head-on crashes
Show answer
Correct answer: Head-on crashes
Front air bags are only made for head-on crashes and do not protect you in crashes from the side or back.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
-
What does the manual say about air bags and safety belts?
- An air bag replaces the need for a belt for adult drivers
- An air bag makes a belt unnecessary on short trips
- An air bag is made to work with safety belts, not instead of them
- An air bag works alone if the driver sits far back
Show answer
Correct answer: An air bag is made to work with safety belts, not instead of them
An air bag is made to work with safety belts, not instead of them, so you still need to wear a safety belt.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 37 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 37)
-
How far back from the dashboard should you move the driver's seat and front passenger seat?
- As far back as you can
- As far forward as you can
- About one foot from the dashboard
- Only far enough to reach the pedals
Show answer
Correct answer: As far back as you can
You should move the driver's seat and front passenger seat as far back from the dashboard as you can.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 38 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 38)
-
Children under what age are not allowed to ride in the beds of pickup trucks?
- 8
- 10
- 12
- 16
Show answer
Correct answer: 12
Children under 12 years old are not allowed to ride in the beds of pickup trucks, with very limited exceptions.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 39 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 39)
-
A child under 12 may ride in a pickup truck bed only under very limited exceptions, and never at speeds above what?
- Ten mph
- Fifteen mph
- Twenty-five mph
- Five mph
Show answer
Correct answer: Five mph
The manual says the very limited exceptions never apply at speeds of more than five mph.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 39 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 39)