Minnesota: Seat belts and child safety
Minnesota’s seat belt law and its exceptions, child car seats and booster seats, children in the back seat, air bags and never leaving children alone in a vehicle. Split into 2 shorter tests so you're not stuck in one long quiz.
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All 36 Seat belts and child safety questions with answers
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Who must wear a seat belt or use a child passenger restraint system while you practice driving with an instruction permit?
- Only the driver
- Everyone in the vehicle
- Only the driver and the front-seat passenger
- Only passengers under 18
Show answer
Correct answer: Everyone in the vehicle
Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seat belt or use a child passenger restraint system.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 13
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What does the manual say about seat belts in Minnesota vehicles?
- Only the driver must use a seat belt in a vehicle
- Only front-seat occupants must use seat belts
- Seat belts are required only on highways and freeways
- All vehicles must have seat belts and everyone must use them
Show answer
Correct answer: All vehicles must have seat belts and everyone must use them
In Minnesota, all vehicles must have seat belts and everyone must use them; the manual lists only a few exceptions, such as rural mail carriers on their route.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 23
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What does the manual say about airbags?
- They work with seat belts but do not stop occupants from being ejected
- They replace seat belts for adults in the front seat of a car
- They stop occupants from being ejected in every kind of crash
- They make seat belts unnecessary for back-seat passengers
Show answer
Correct answer: They work with seat belts but do not stop occupants from being ejected
Airbags work with seat belts to prevent injuries but do not stop occupants from being ejected.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 23
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Why should you keep the dashboard free of clutter?
- Objects can block the speedometer
- Objects can distract the front passenger
- Objects can become dangerous if airbags inflate
- Objects can reflect sunlight into your eyes
Show answer
Correct answer: Objects can become dangerous if airbags inflate
Objects on the dashboard can become dangerous if airbags inflate.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 23
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Who is responsible for ensuring the safety of all passengers in the vehicle?
- The driver
- The oldest passenger
- The front-seat passenger
- The owner of the vehicle
Show answer
Correct answer: The driver
It is the driver's responsibility to ensure the safety of all passengers.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 37
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In Minnesota, who must wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt?
- The driver and all passengers, including those in the back seat
- Only the driver and the passengers seated in the front seat
- Only the driver
- Only passengers under 18
Show answer
Correct answer: The driver and all passengers, including those in the back seat
The driver and all passengers, including those in the back seat, must wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 37
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What does the manual say about stopping a motorist for a seat belt violation?
- Officers can stop a motorist only if another violation is also seen
- Officers can stop a motorist only after a warning on an earlier stop
- Law enforcement can stop motorists solely for seat belt violations
- Officers cannot stop a motorist for a seat belt violation at night
Show answer
Correct answer: Law enforcement can stop motorists solely for seat belt violations
Law enforcement can stop motorists solely for seat belt violations.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 37
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Which person is not legally required to wear a seat belt?
- A driver on a short trip in a residential area
- A person driving a passenger vehicle in reverse
- A driver who is running a short errand
- A person riding in a back seat on a short trip
Show answer
Correct answer: A person driving a passenger vehicle in reverse
You are not legally required to wear a seat belt when driving a passenger vehicle in reverse.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 37
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A person engaged in work that involves frequent exiting and entering the vehicle is not required to wear a seat belt as long as they do not drive faster than what speed?
- 15 mph
- 35 mph
- 45 mph
- 25 mph
Show answer
Correct answer: 25 mph
A person doing work that involves frequent exiting and entering the vehicle is not required to wear a seat belt as long as they do not drive faster than 25 mph.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 37
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A person driving a vehicle made before what date is not legally required to wear a seat belt?
- Jan. 1, 1955
- Jan. 1, 1975
- Jan. 1, 1965
- Jan. 1, 1985
Show answer
Correct answer: Jan. 1, 1965
You are not legally required to wear a seat belt when driving a vehicle made before Jan. 1, 1965.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 37
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What written document can excuse a person from wearing a seat belt?
- A written certificate from a physician for medical reasons
- A written note from the person’s employer or supervisor
- A letter from an insurance company
- A written permit from DVS
Show answer
Correct answer: A written certificate from a physician for medical reasons
A person who has a written certificate from a physician for medical reasons is not legally required to wear a seat belt.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 37
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Which person is not legally required to wear a seat belt?
- A person in the front seat of a vehicle with a broken belt buckle
- A person who is sitting in the back seat
- A person riding in a vehicle on a freeway
- A person in a seat where all seat belts are being used by other passengers
Show answer
Correct answer: A person in a seat where all seat belts are being used by other passengers
You are not legally required to wear a seat belt if you are in a seat where all seat belts are being used by other passengers.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 37
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Which person is not legally required to wear a seat belt?
- A taxi driver who is carrying passengers on city streets
- A rural mail carrier delivering mail for the U.S. Postal Service
- A school bus driver on a route
- A delivery driver traveling at highway speed
Show answer
Correct answer: A rural mail carrier delivering mail for the U.S. Postal Service
A rural mail carrier delivering mail for the U.S. Postal Service is not legally required to wear a seat belt.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 37
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Where should a lap belt fit?
- Snugly across your lower ribs and waist
- Snugly across your hipbones or upper thighs
- Loosely across your abdomen
- Across the soft part of your stomach
Show answer
Correct answer: Snugly across your hipbones or upper thighs
A lap belt should fit snugly across the hipbones or upper thighs, never across the abdomen or the soft part of the stomach.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 37
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Where should a shoulder belt fit?
- Loosely across your neck and the top of your upper arm
- Snugly under your arm and across your lower ribs and stomach
- Across your abdomen and lap
- Snugly across your chest and the middle of your shoulder
Show answer
Correct answer: Snugly across your chest and the middle of your shoulder
A shoulder belt should fit snugly across the chest and the middle of the shoulder.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 37
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Which way of wearing seat belts makes you more likely to survive a car crash?
- Using both the lap and shoulder belts together
- Using only the lap belt
- Using only the shoulder belt
- Wearing the shoulder belt under your arm
Show answer
Correct answer: Using both the lap and shoulder belts together
You are more likely to survive a crash if you use both the lap and shoulder belts together.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 37
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Children under what age must ride in the back seat if it is available?
- 8
- 10
- 13
- 16
Show answer
Correct answer: 13
Children under 13 must ride in the back seat if it is available.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 38
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Car seats and booster seats must be installed according to what?
- Local police guidelines
- The age of the driver
- The vehicle dealer’s preference
- The manufacturer’s instructions
Show answer
Correct answer: The manufacturer’s instructions
Car seats and booster seats must be federally approved and installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 38
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Car seats and booster seats must be what kind of restraint system?
- Registered with DVS
- Federally approved
- Bought new from a retailer
- Approved by an insurance company
Show answer
Correct answer: Federally approved
Car seats and booster seats, also known as child safety restraint systems, must be federally approved.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 38
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Children under 2 years of age must ride in what kind of seat until they reach its weight or height limit?
- A forward-facing car seat
- A booster seat
- A rear-facing car seat
- A regular seat with a seat belt
Show answer
Correct answer: A rear-facing car seat
Children under 2 years of age must ride in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the weight or height limit of the car seat.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 38
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A child older than 2 who exceeds the rear-facing height or weight limit of the car seat must sit in what?
- A forward-facing car seat until reaching its height or weight limit
- A booster seat secured with only the lap portion of a belt
- A regular seat with a seat belt
- The front seat with the airbag turned off
Show answer
Correct answer: A forward-facing car seat until reaching its height or weight limit
Children older than 2 who exceed the rear-facing limit must sit in a forward-facing car seat until they reach the height or weight limit.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 38
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The manual says the height or weight limit of a forward-facing car seat is typically what weight?
- 40-60 pounds
- 20-30 pounds
- 30-40 pounds
- 60-80 pounds
Show answer
Correct answer: 40-60 pounds
The manual says forward-facing car seat limits are typically 40-60 pounds, depending on the manufacturer.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 38
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A child from 4 to 9 years old who is too tall or too heavy for the car seat must use what?
- A forward-facing car seat with a harness only
- A lap belt with no booster seat
- A booster seat and be secured with a safety belt
- A rear-facing car seat
Show answer
Correct answer: A booster seat and be secured with a safety belt
A child from 4 to 9 years old must use a booster seat and be secured with a safety belt if they are too tall or too heavy for the car seat.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 38
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At what age must a child sit without a booster seat and be secured with a seat belt, if they have not outgrown it earlier?
- 6 years old
- 9 years old
- 8 years old
- 12 years old
Show answer
Correct answer: 9 years old
When a child is 9 years old, or exceeds the weight or height limit of the booster seat, they must sit without the booster and be secured with a seat belt.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 38
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What should you do with a child safety seat that has been in a crash?
- Use it only for short trips
- Use it only if it looks undamaged
- Use it only in the back seat
- Do not use it
Show answer
Correct answer: Do not use it
The manual says not to use a safety seat that has been in a crash.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 38
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Child restraint systems expire how long after the date of manufacture?
- Two years
- Four years
- Six years
- Ten years
Show answer
Correct answer: Six years
Child restraint systems expire six years from the date of manufacture.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 38
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What does the manual say about placing a rear-facing infant seat in front of an active airbag?
- Never place it there
- Do it only if no other seat is available
- Do it only if the child is under one year old
- Do it only with the seat belt removed
Show answer
Correct answer: Never place it there
Never place rear-facing infant seats in front of an active airbag.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 38
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What does the manual say about holding a child on a passenger’s lap while riding in a vehicle?
- It is fine for infants
- It is fine on short trips
- It is fine if both are belted together
- It should not be done
Show answer
Correct answer: It should not be done
The manual says not to hold children on a passenger's lap while riding in a vehicle.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 38
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Where should children not ride?
- In a forward-facing car seat in the back seat
- In the cargo area of a truck or station wagon
- In a booster seat secured with a safety belt
- In the back seat behind the driver
Show answer
Correct answer: In the cargo area of a truck or station wagon
Children should not ride in the cargo area of a truck or station wagon.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 38
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What does the manual say about leaving children or vulnerable adults alone in a motor vehicle?
- It is fine for a few minutes if the windows are open
- Never leave them alone in it
- It is fine if the engine is running
- It is fine if the doors are locked
Show answer
Correct answer: Never leave them alone in it
The manual says never to leave children or vulnerable adults alone in a motor vehicle, because temperatures can reach dangerous extremes and other dangers can occur.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 38
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What does the manual say about leaving pets in a vehicle?
- Do not leave them, especially on very hot or cold days
- It is fine if the windows are cracked open a few inches
- It is fine for up to 30 minutes
- It is fine in the shade
Show answer
Correct answer: Do not leave them, especially on very hot or cold days
Do not leave pets in vehicles, especially on very hot or cold days, because temperature extremes can be very dangerous to animals.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 39
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Which statement about airbags is correct?
- They are designed to keep occupants from being ejected from the vehicle
- They replace the need for seat belts
- They work with seat belts but are not designed to keep occupants from being ejected
- They work only when seat belts are not worn
Show answer
Correct answer: They work with seat belts but are not designed to keep occupants from being ejected
Airbags work with seat belts to prevent injuries but are not designed to keep occupants from being ejected.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 39
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The manual suggests keeping at least how many inches between yourself and the steering wheel?
- 4 inches
- 6 inches
- 15 inches
- 10 inches
Show answer
Correct answer: 10 inches
The airbag safety suggestions say to try to keep at least 10 inches between yourself and the steering wheel.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 39
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The manual’s airbag safety suggestions say to avoid which hand position on the steering wheel?
- 9 and 3 o’clock
- 10 and 2 o’clock
- 8 and 4 o’clock
- 7 and 5 o’clock
Show answer
Correct answer: 10 and 2 o’clock
The airbag safety suggestions say to keep your hands at 8 and 4 or 9 and 3 o'clock and to avoid the 10 and 2 o'clock position.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 39
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The manual’s airbag safety suggestions say to keep your thumbs in what position on the steering wheel?
- Hooked over the rim
- Tucked inside the rim
- Turned out
- Wrapped around the rim
Show answer
Correct answer: Turned out
The airbag safety suggestions say to keep your thumbs turned out on the steering wheel.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 39
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The manual’s airbag safety suggestions say to move front passenger seats in what way?
- As far back as possible
- As far forward as possible
- To the middle of the seat track
- Up as high as possible
Show answer
Correct answer: As far back as possible
The airbag safety suggestions say to move front passenger seats as far back as possible.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 39