What year model vehicles are required to have seatbelts?

Vehicles manufactured in 1966 or later are required to have seatbelts due to federal regulations that became law following the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966. This act mandated the installation of seatbelts in all new passenger cars, significantly improving passenger safety by reducing the risk of injury in the event of an accident. Consequently, vehicles built after 1965 were required to have at least lap belts, and further regulations over the years have expanded these requirements to include shoulder belts.

Earlier model vehicles, such as those from 1965 and before, were not subject to these regulations, and therefore may not have been manufactured with seatbelts at all. Many vehicles from 1975 onward may feature more advanced seatbelt systems, but the key requirement for seatbelt installation began with models made in 1966.