What are the seatbelt and child car seat requirements when I am a passenger in a taxi?
There are no seatbelt exemptions for passengers in taxis—only for the driver when carrying passengers for hire. Therefore, you must use your seatbelt. If you are 16 years of age or older, you can be charged and face a fine of $110, if convicted. If you are under the age of 16, the taxi driver is responsible for ensuring you use the seatbelt properly. Taxi drivers who fail to ensure children are using a seatbelt properly can be charged, and if convicted, face a fine of $110 and two demerit points on their driver record. Taxi drivers are exempt from the child car and booster seat requirements when transporting a passenger for hire. However, taxicab drivers transporting children for personal reasons or those that operate a taxi while under contract with a school board or other authority for the transportation of children are required to comply with the child car seat and booster seat requirements.
