Who is excused from using a seat belt when seat belts are available?

• A. The driver of a taxicab when carrying a passenger for hire
• B. School bus drivers
• C. Dangerous goods carriers
• D. Emergency medical responders

Answer: (A)

Wearing a seat belt is required in almost all driving situations when a belt is available, because it greatly improves safety in a crash. There is a narrow exception for taxi drivers: the driver of a taxicab who is carrying a passenger for hire is exempt from using a seat belt when one is available. This allowance exists to let the driver focus on safely operating the taxi and assisting the passenger without the belt getting in the way. The exemption is limited to when the taxi is actively transporting a passenger for hire; if that situation isn’t present, the belt should be worn.

Other roles listed don’t have that exemption in the standard rules. School bus drivers must wear seat belts if the bus is equipped, and there isn’t a general exemption for dangerous goods carriers or emergency medical responders under the basic seat belt requirements.