A similar rule for rear passenger seat belt reminders has been into effect in the European Union since 2019

In a move sure to amplify the voices of backseat drivers, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that seat belt reminder systems for rear passengers will become mandatory in all new cars and trucks sold in the U.S. by September 2027. This aligns with the European Union’s 2019 mandate for rear-seat belt reminders, making the U.S. finally catch up with global safety standards.
But there’s more. Starting September 2026, NHTSA will also extend the duration of seat belt warnings for drivers and front passengers. Currently limited to the driver, these warnings will now include rear-seat reminders—a feature Congress has been advocating for since 2012. If you’ve ever ignored fastening your seatbelt in the back, prepare for persistent alerts to remind you otherwise.
More Noise, Fewer Excuses
The new rule aims to boost passenger safety. Upon startup, a 60-second visual warning will notify drivers about the status of rear seat belts, followed by additional audible and visual alerts if any are unfastened. For drivers, the front seatbelt reminders will include an indefinite visual cue and a two-stage audible signal, with alerts adjusted based on vehicle speed.
The regulation will apply to all new passenger cars, trucks, buses (excluding school buses), and multipurpose passenger vehicles under 10,000 pounds. Automakers can implement these systems ahead of the deadlines, and many already include rear seat belt reminders.

The Stats Don’t Lie
NHTSA estimates the new rules could save 50 lives and prevent over 500 injuries annually, proving that even small safety measures can have a significant impact.
In 2022, rear seat belt usage in the U.S. stood at 81.7%, compared to 91.6% for front-seat passengers. Tragically, half of the passenger vehicle occupants who died in crashes that year were unbelted. These numbers make it clear: rear-seat belt reminders are overdue.
NHTSA Chief Counsel Adam Raviv summed it up well:
“Wearing a seat belt is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent injury and death in a vehicle crash. While seat belt use has improved for decades, there’s still more we can do to make sure everyone buckles up. These new requirements will help increase seat belt use, especially for rear seat passengers, by enhancing reminders for vehicle occupants to buckle up.”
A Small Price to Pay
Ultimately, NHTSA’s move is another small yet meaningful step toward improving road safety. Seat belts save lives—it’s as simple as that. If it takes a bit of dashboard nagging to get everyone on board, it’s a price worth paying. At least it’s not your mom reminding you from the passenger seat about her friend’s kid who didn’t buckle up and learned the hard way.
