My Seatbelt Doesn’t Lock-Or Does It?

Seatbelts in passenger vehicles in the United States have been required to have a locking mechanism for car seat installation since 1996. While most lock at the shoulder retractor, some vehicles have locking latch plates instead! That means a mechanism within the “male” end of the buckle keeps the lap portion securely tightened around the car seat.
Some vehicles have locking latch plates in all rear seating positions, but others only have them in certain seats, like a third row or the center seat.
Common examples of vehicles with a locking latch plate in the center seat:
-Dodge Journey
-3rd row of Dodge Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country
-Certain Dodge Ram pickup trucks
Always read and follow your car seat AND vehicle owner’s manuals!