Seat Belts

PURPOSE: This rule describes the procedures and standards for the inspection of seat belts. The inspection of seat belts is a requirement of section 307.365, RSMo. (1) Every four- (4-) wheel passenger car, other than buses, manufactured after June 30, 1964, and designated as a 1965 or later model shall be equipped with at least two (2) sets of seat belts for the front seat of the vehicle. Pickup trucks manufactured on or after July 1, 1971, shall be equipped with at least two (2) sets of seat belts in the forward-most seating area of those vehicles. The inspector/mechanic must latch both sets of seat belts. (2) A seat belt is any strap, webbing, or similar device including all necessary buckles, fasteners, motors, tracks, and all hardware designed for installing that seat belt in a motor vehicle by the manufacturer or its equivalent. Seat belts are classified as: (A) Type 1 seat belt assembly is a lap belt for pelvic restraint; (B) Type 2 seat belt assembly is a combination of pelvic and upper-torso restraint; and (C) Type 2a shoulder belt is an upper-torso restraint for use in conjunction with a lap belt as a type 2 seat belt assembly. Some type 2a shoulder belts are motorized. (3) Inspect Seat Belts. Do not reject vehicles that are equipped by the manufacturer with passive restraints consisting of only a shoulder belt without a lap belt. (4) Reject vehicle if— (A) Any front seat is not equipped with a required seatbelt, equivalent to those installed by the manufacturer; (B) Front seat is covered so as to prohibit the use of required belts; (C) The seat in the driver’s position is not capable of working HIGHWAY PATROL in conjunction with a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt; (D) The seat in the driver’s position is not securely attached to the vehicle; (E) The seat in the driver’s position cannot maintain a stable position; (F) A belt, buckle, bracket, or motor is inoperative which prohibits designed function; or (G) Belt webbing is frayed, split, or torn. AUTHORITY: section 307.360, RSMo 2016.* Original rule filed Nov. 4, 1968, effective Nov. 14, 1968. Amended: Filed March 9, 1970, effective March 19, 1970. Amended: Filed Nov. 9, 1971, effective Nov. 19, 1971. Amended: Filed May 21, 1974, effective May 31, 1974. Amended: Filed Aug. 26, 1985, effective Nov. 28, 1985. Amended: Filed April 2, 1992, effective Sept. 6, 1992. Amended: Filed June 2, 1993, effective Nov. 8, 1993. Emergency rescission and rule Oct. 1, 1997, effective Nov. 2, 1997, expired April 30, 1998. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Oct. 1, 1997, effective March 30, 1998. Amended: Filed July 14, 1998, effective Jan. 30, 1999. Amended: Filed Oct. 30, 2020, effective June 30, 2021. *Original authority: 307.360, RSMo 1967, amended 1971, 1973, 1979, 1999.