Pursuant to section 3(a) and (b)(4) of the Mandatory Use of Seat Belt Act of 1985 (Seat Belt Act), effective December 12, 1985 (D.C. Law 6-73; D.C. Official Code § 50-1802(a) and (b)(4) (2009 Repl.)), all drivers and passengers in a motor vehicle being operated in the District of Columbia must wear a seat belt. However, operators of taxicabs are exempt from this requirement when operating for hire between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Pursuant to section 7(f) of the Seat Belt Act, D.C. Official Code § 50-1806(f) (2009 Repl.), operators of public vehicles for hire are NOT responsible for ensuring that passengers comply with the seat belt requirement.
All public vehicles for hire shall have operating seat belts for each passenger and display a sign which states the following:
"District of Columbia law requires mandatory use of seat belts. A fifty dollar ($50) fine applies for violations."
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 31, r. 31-607