It sounds as if you had a speeding ticket that was dismissed and only a seat belt violation offense remained as part of the ticket since we have not heard of a reduction from speeding to a safety belt violation unless you were actually found to be driving without a safety belt.

As you mentioned in Indiana a seat belt violation (Indiana Code 9-19-10) usually only cost $25 however it likely goes on your driving record. What we have read is that in IN most traffic offenses are infractions. Although an infraction is an offense against the State, it is not a crime; it is a civil offense. All determinations by the court are normally forwarded to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) and become part of your permanent driving record.

You are likely aware that as of July 1, 2007 practically any person in any motor vehicle traveling on an Indiana road must wear a seat belt or proper child restraint.

Public Law 214 (House Bill 1237) amended Indiana state law to require seat belt use for passengers in the back seats of vehicles and anyone driving or riding in a vehicle plated as a truck, including pick-ups, minivans and SUVs. Indiana law had already required all children under 16 years of age to wear seat belts, as well as passengers in the front seats of vehicles.

As part of House Bill 1237, law enforcement officers are no longer permitted to conduct seat belt enforcement zones as a means of detecting unbelted motorists after July 1, 2007. However due to the fact that Indiana is a primary seat belt law state, motorists can still be specifically stopped and cited for failing to wear their seat belts.

You will need to ask the court or BMV if this seat belt ticket will go on your driving record. If it is then your insurance company would see it the next time they pulled your MVR. It would depend upon your insurer's rating system if this ticket would affect your rates or not.

In general this type of ticket or violation will not cause your insurance premiums to rise. However, there are situations when it might raise your rates if you have a high frequency of being cited for this. Also some carriers may remove discounts for safe driver which would cause your rates to rise.

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