The Government is considering implementing tougher penalties for drivers who fail to wear seat belts, following alarming new research from MoneySuperMarket revealing that 5.9 million UK drivers—equivalent to 14%—regularly drive without buckling up. Data from the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) highlights the critical importance of seat belt usage: in 2023, 25% of car occupants who died in collisions in Great Britain, where seat belt status was recorded, were not wearing a seat belt.
Alicia Hempsted, a car insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, stresses the legal requirements and risks associated with not wearing a seat belt. Under current laws, drivers can be fined up to £500 for failing to buckle up, unless exempt for medical reasons or specific circumstances such as reversing.
The MoneySuperMarket survey found that 18% of drivers admitted to driving without a seat belt at some point, but only around a third of those—including the 14% who regularly forgo belts—had received fines within the past five years. Drivers are reminded that exceptions exist only for certain cases, including licensed taxi drivers under specific conditions, some delivery drivers, and individuals medically exempt who must carry a certificate and notify their insurer.
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Hempsted commented, “Seat belts remain one of the simplest yet most effective ways to save lives on the road. With a significant number of drivers admitting to neglecting this safety measure, the proposed tougher penalties—including the addition of penalty points—could impact insurance premiums alongside fines."
The Government’s consultation states that since 1991, seat belts have been mandatory for all vehicle occupants except in defined cases. Currently, failing to wear a seat belt leads to a fixed penalty notice of £100 or a court fine of up to £500 but no penalty points on the driving licence. The new proposal aims to add three penalty points for drivers and passengers who do not comply with seat belt rules, and for drivers failing to ensure children are properly restrained.
Legislation emphasizes that drivers must wear seat belts where fitted and make sure all passengers do the same. Children must use an appropriate car seat or restraint until they reach 135 centimetres in height or their 12th birthday, and thereafter wear a seat belt until the age of 14.
The survey underpinning these findings was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of MoneySuperMarket, polling 1,000 UK drivers aged 17 and over in January 2026. According to the DVLA, there are over 42 million fully licensed drivers in the UK.
Drivers are urged to adhere to seat belt laws not only to avoid fines and penalty points but to protect themselves and others on the road.