Seat belts and child seats in Australian Capital Territory (2026)
Last reviewed: 13 October 2026
In short: Drivers must wear a seatbelt and make sure passengers are properly restrained. Children under 7 must use an approved child restraint, and the driver can face 3 demerit points and a fine of AUD 574.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Seat belt compulsory in front seatsPassenger cars | Yes [1] |
| Seat belt compulsory in rear seatsPassenger cars | Yes [1] |
| Child restraint required untilPassenger cars | Children under 7 must use an approved and suitable child restraint. Children 7 and over should continue to use a restraint suitable for their size. The suggested minimum height for an adult seatbelt is 145 cm. [1] |
| Children in the front seatPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Fine for not wearing a seat beltPassenger cars | A driver who does not wear a seatbelt properly, or does not ensure a passenger is properly restrained, faces a maximum of 20 penalty units (AUD 574 infringement notice amount) and 3 demerit points [1] |
| Booster seat untilPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Can police stop you for this alone?Passenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
Notes
- The page describes the penalties for a driver not wearing a seatbelt and the driver's duty to make sure passengers wear theirs. It does not quote the road rule.
- The page sends readers to Kidsafe ACT for the age-by-age types of restraint, so those details are not verified here.
- The page warns that airbags can injure a child, especially in a rear-facing seat, but does not state a legal rule.
- A corporate infringement notice amount of AUD 2,630 (no demerit points) applies unless transferred to an individual driver.
Sources
- ACT Government (City Services): Seatbelts (Internet Archive snapshot of 14 February 2026) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in Australia and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for Australia
| Child restraint required until | Set by each state and territory. The model Australian Road Rules are not national laws in force across Australia: each state and territory has copied them into its own laws, not every provision exactly, and some matters are left to the states and territories to decide. (source: National Transport Commission) |
|---|
More rules in Australian Capital Territory
- E-scootersUse on public roads: Yes, mainly footpaths and shared paths
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal for adults 18+ within the limit · Growing at home: Yes, 2 plants per adult, 4 per home
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h
- Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, container deposit scheme · Deposit per container: 10c refund
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 17 (provisional licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 years 9 months, with a supervisor
- Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Prescribed drug in system is an offence · THC threshold: Any THC present
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Same rights as bicycles
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (licence or permit needed)
- Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, while a visitor · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Permanent visa: ACT licence after 3 months
- Home educationLegal status of home education: Registration required · Nature of the parental duty: School or registration
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence without reasonable excuse · Locking or one-handed knives: Flick and butterfly knives prohibited
- MopedsLicence: Motorcycle licence (class R)
- Motorcycles: helmets and licencesHelmet required for the rider: Yes · Helmet required for a passenger: Yes
- Paid holidayMinimum paid leave a year (weeks): 4 weeks (5 for some shiftworkers) · Minimum paid leave as the law states it: 4 weeks a year; extra week for some shiftworkers
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Mounted or untouched; L/P: no voice use
- Smoke alarms in homesSmoke alarm legally required in homes: Yes, compulsory · Minimum alarms and where: On or near the ceiling in bedrooms or in the corridor that leads to bedrooms, installed as per the manufacturer's instructions and the National Construction Code. A multi-level home needs smoke alarms on each level, interconnected.
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 18
- Towing trailers and caravansTrailer mass allowed with a car licence in any combination: Up to 9,000 kg GVM
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 18 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 18
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.05% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.00% (zero)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.