Except for New Hampshire, all states and the District of Columbia require adult front-seat occupants of motor vehicles to use seat belts. Adult rear-seat passengers are also covered by the laws in 31 states and the District of Columbia. Children are covered by separate laws.

State seat belt laws are divided into two categories: primary and secondary. Primary seat belt laws allow law enforcement officers to stop a motor vehicle and to issue a ticket or citation to a driver or passenger for not wearing a seat belt without any other traffic offense having occurred. Secondary seat belt laws only allow law enforcement officers to issue a ticket or citation for not wearing a seat belt when there has been another traffic offense by an occupant of the vehicle for which the occupant may be issued a ticket or citation.

In Nevada, seat belt use is mandated by law for both drivers and passengers, with specific regulations requiring adult front-seat occupants to wear seat belts. Nevada operates under a primary seat belt law, which means that law enforcement officers have the authority to stop a vehicle and issue a citation solely for a seat belt violation without the need for any other traffic offense to have occurred. This law applies to both front-seat and rear-seat occupants, although the requirements for rear-seat passengers may vary. Additionally, Nevada has separate child restraint laws that provide specific guidelines for the safety of children in motor vehicles. These laws outline the appropriate restraints for children based on their age, weight, and height, ensuring enhanced protection for young passengers.