Question about older RV and seatbelt/lapbelt

[zaqoff]

I can't find the law for California or Nevada about lap belts. I have an older RV that only has a lap belt, no shoulder belt. I don't want to be hassled by the cops along the way. Is a shoulder belt required?

[Doctor VonBacon]

If your vehicle ONLY has lap belts (pre-66 or 68, maybe) that is all you are required to use,

Be prepared to be pulled over. Keep a copy of your registration readily available.

[Captain Goddammit]

Seat belt laws aren't retroactive. If the vehicle did dot come with shoulder belts, you aren't required to add them. That '68 stuff is about cars... trucks and vans (and motorhomes) typically had no shoulder belts until much later.
You can even legally drive with no seat belts at all if you are in a car old enough to not come with any, generally pre-'62.
Now, if you do add belts to a car that didn't originally have them, you are then required to use them.

So, if your rig has all the belts it originally came with, even if it's just lap belts, you're legal.

[Eric]

Just remember that ALL passengers are required to wear the belts in Nevada and California - even people sitting back inside. If your table or chairs have seat belts, and people are sitting there, make sure they are on. Here's a breakdown of the laws by state.

[zaqoff]

The RV is a 1983 and only had lap belts. I didn't install shoulder belts when I bought it.
So it sounds like I am legally ok, but could be hassled and pulled over?