Can you drive without a seat belt during pregnancy?

In general, you must wear a seat belt during pregnancy. Article 172 of the Italian Road Code allows an exemption only when the attending gynaecologist certifies specific risk conditions resulting from belt use. Pregnancy alone is not enough: the certificate must attest to the particular condition and be presented as required by law.

The general rule is to wear the belt

Article 172 requires drivers and passengers in vehicles fitted with seat belts to use them while travelling. The law includes an exception for pregnant women, but only on the basis of a certificate from the attending gynaecologist confirming particular risk conditions related to belt use. A pregnancy certificate or a statement that the belt feels uncomfortable is not enough.

The certificate concerns the individual condition and specific risk; it is not a general exemption for every stage of pregnancy. Unless you have documentation that falls within the provision, the ordinary rule remains to wear the belt correctly. If you are unsure how to position it for your circumstances, ask the health professional who is caring for you.

What to carry if you have an exemption

Article 172 says the exemption must be based on a certificate from the attending gynaecologist and that the document must be available in the vehicle as required by the rule. Ask the clinician to clearly state the risk condition; do not use a self-declaration or generic note instead. Follow any conditions or duration stated and clarify them before driving.

For example, a pregnant person without documented risk conditions must continue wearing a seat belt; a person with a qualifying certificate may rely on the exemption within its terms. This article summarises the road rule and does not assess individual medical safety. Do not modify or disable the vehicle’s restraint systems.

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