You can claim a seatbelt exemption for a camera-detected fine issued for the offences:

• Driver with incorrectly worn seatbelt.
• Driver failing to ensure passenger wearing seatbelt.

Nominating seatbelt offences

For a seatbelt offence, you can only nominate another driver. You cannot nominate a passenger for failing to wear a seatbelt.

Fines issued to an individual

If your fine is at Infringement or Penalty Reminder stage and you were not driving the vehicle at the time of the offence, you should nominate the person who was driving. You should nominate the driver quickly, as once the fine reaches Notice of Final Demand stage it is too late to nominate.

Fines issued to a company

If the fine is at Infringement or Penalty Reminder stage a company cannot claim a seatbelt exemption. The company must nominate the person who was driving the vehicle. You should nominate the driver quickly, as once the fine reaches Notice of Final Demand stage it is too late to nominate.

Once the fine has been reissued to the nominated driver, they may be eligible to claim a seatbelt exemption.

What fines are not eligible for a seatbelt exemption? 

If you were stopped by a member of Victoria Police and received a fine for incorrectly wearing a seatbelt or failing to ensure a passenger is wearing a seatbelt, you needed to provide evidence of your exemption at the time you were stopped. 

If you did not provide evidence of your exemption at the time you were stopped, you are not eligible to claim a seatbelt exemption. You may be eligible to submit an internal review.

What are eligible exemptions? 

You can claim a seatbelt exemption for a camera-detected fine under the following categories: 

1. Door-to-door service exemption if you were required to get in or out of the vehicle frequently, the vehicle was not travelling over 25km/h and you were:
   • engaged professionally in delivering or collecting goods door-to-door, or
   • engaged professionally in collecting waste.
2. Medical exemption if your doctor, or your passenger’s doctor, has written a medical certificate exempting you or your passenger from wearing a seatbelt. Medical exemptions only apply to the person the certificate was issued for and are not available to companies.
3. Secretary exemption if you, or your passenger, have an exemption from the Secretary, Department of Transport and Planning from wearing a seatbelt (not available for fines issued to companies).
4. No seatbelt fitted exemption if you or your passenger were sitting in a position in the vehicle that was not fitted with a seatbelt, and there is no requirement for that position to be fitted with a seatbelt.

If you think there is a reason why the fine should be reviewed, for example, if you were not wearing a seatbelt because you were providing urgent medical care, you may be eligible to submit a review.

What evidence is required? 

You need to provide supporting evidence with your seatbelt exemption statement, or your application may not be successful. The type of evidence required will depend on the exemption you are claiming. 

Supporting evidence includes:

• Door-to-door service exemption - evidence showing you or your passenger were engaged in eligible professional duties at the time of the offence, such as a copy of a delivery run sheet.
• Medical exemption - a certificate from a doctor confirming that you or your passenger had a medical reason exempting you from wearing a seatbelt at the time of the offence. You had to have the certificate at the time of the offence, it must be signed by the doctor and include an expiry date.
• Secretary exemption - a certificate from the Secretary, Department of Transport and Planning confirming you or your passenger were exempt from wearing a seatbelt.
• No seatbelt fitted exemption - documentation from the Department of Transport and Planning confirming there is no requirement for the driver or passenger seat to be fitted with a seatbelt.
  
  

How do I claim an exemption? 

1. Complete the PDF application

Download and complete the seatbelt exemption form for the type of fine you are dealing with:

• Individual fine (PDF)
• Company fine (PDF)

The form can be completed electronically as a PDF or printed out and filled in by hand.

If you are unable to download or print the form you can call or message us, quote your fine obligation number and ask us to send you a form by post.

2. Upload the completed PDF form and supporting documentation using the button below

Submit your application online

You can also submit the completed form and supporting documents:

What happens after you submit your claim? 

If your fine is at Infringement or Penalty Reminder stage, your seatbelt exemption statement will be processed by Victoria Police, and you will be notified of the outcome by post. If your fine is at Notice of Final Demand stage, your seatbelt exemption statement will be processed by Fines Victoria as an Enforcement Review under the ground of Contrary to Law. You will be notified of the outcome by post. 

Are there other options for dealing with this fine? 

If you are not eligible to claim a seatbelt exemption, the options available for dealing with your fine depends on the stage your fine is at. 

If your fine is at Infringement or Penalty Reminder stage, information on your options is available on the Infringement and Penalty Reminder pages on this website. 

If your fine is at Notice of Final Demand or Enforcement Warrant stage, information on your options is available on the Notice of Final Demand or Enforcement Warrant pages on this website. 

For assistance, please call Fines Victoria on (03) 9200 8111 or submit an online enquiry.