According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, NYS law requires all front seat passengers to wear seat belts.

Children under the age of 16 must wear seat belts when they are in the front seat or the back seat. Children under the age of four must ride in safety seats. Children age four, five or six must ride in child restraint systems.

The NYS DMV states that the penalty for a seat belt or car seat violation is a fine of up $50. If a conviction includes a person under the age of 16, the driver receives a maximum fine of $100 and 3 points on the driver license record.

The average fine amount likely differs from one NY jurisdiction to the next depending upon what the local courts have decided to have drivers pay, $50 or less, plus any administrative and court fees. If you have received a ticket as a driver that was not wearing the seat belt / safety belt call the court listed on the ticket to find out your exact fine amount.