If your passenger is not wearing a seatbelt and is under 16, who receives the citation?

In this scenario, if a passenger under the age of 16 is not wearing a seatbelt, the responsibility falls on the driver. This is because drivers in many jurisdictions, including Montana, are legally required to ensure that all passengers under a certain age are wearing seatbelts. The laws are designed to protect younger, more vulnerable passengers, as they may not have the understanding or ability to ensure their own safety.

As for the other options, the citation does not go to just the passenger because the law specifically holds the driver accountable for the safety of minors in their vehicle. It is not the case that both the driver and passenger would receive a citation; the law clearly delineates responsibility. Furthermore, no one receiving a citation would suggest a lack of enforcement of safety regulations, which is not applicable here since there are indeed consequences for non-compliance with seatbelt laws, especially for minors.