---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 30124"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "30124"
heading: "Nonuse of safety belts"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/30124"
units:
  - "Subtitle VI — Motor Vehicle and Driver Programs"
  - "Part A — General"
  - "Chapter 301 — Motor Vehicle Safety"
  - "Subchapter II — Standards and Compliance"
---

# §30124. Nonuse of safety belts


A [motor vehicle safety standard](/usc/49/30102.md?p=a-10) prescribed under this chapter may not require a [manufacturer](/usc/49/30102.md?p=a-6) to comply with the standard by using a safety belt interlock designed to prevent starting or operating a [motor vehicle](/usc/49/30102.md?p=a-7) if an occupant is not using a safety belt.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 957; Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title I, § 31202(a)(2), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 757.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 30124 | 15:1410b. | Sept. 9, 1966, Pub. L. 89–563, 80 Stat. 718, § 125; added Oct. 27, 1974, Pub. L. 93–492, § 109, 88 Stat. 1482. |

The text of 15:1410b(a) and (c)–(e) is omitted as obsolete. The text of 15:1410b(b)(2) and (3) and (f)(2) and (3) is omitted as unnecessary because of the restatement. The words “After the effective date of the amendment prescribed under subsection (a) of this section” are omitted as executed. The words “prescribed under this chapter” are substituted for “Federal” for consistency in this chapter.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2012—Pub. L. 112–141 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “A motor vehicle safety standard prescribed under this chapter may not require or allow a manufacturer to comply with the standard by using a safety belt interlock designed to prevent starting or operating a motor vehicle if an occupant is not using a safety belt or a buzzer designed to indicate a safety belt is not in use, except a buzzer that operates only during the 8-second period after the ignition is turned to the ‘start’ or ‘on’ position.”

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of Title 23, Highways.