Seat belts and child seats in South Australia (2026)
Last reviewed: 13 October 2026
In short: Seatbelts are compulsory for drivers and passengers, and the driver is responsible for passengers of any age. Children up to 4 may not sit in the front of a vehicle with 2 or more rows of seats.
| 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 | Up to 6 months: approved rearward-facing infant restraint. 6 months to 4 years: rearward-facing restraint or forward-facing seat with an inbuilt harness. 4 to under 7 years: forward-facing seat with an inbuilt harness or a booster seat with a lap-sash seatbelt or child safety harness. 7 to under 16 years: approved child restraint or a properly fastened seatbelt. [1] |
| Children in the front seatPassenger cars | Up to 4 years: not in the front seat of a vehicle with 2 or more rows. 4 to under 7 years: not in the front seat of a vehicle with 2 or more rows unless all other seats are occupied by children also under 7; if there is no space for a third restraint in the back, the child may sit in front if appropriately restrained. [1] |
| Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Fine for not wearing a seat beltPassenger cars | Drivers and passengers aged 16 and over can be fined for not wearing a seatbelt, and demerit points also apply [2] |
| Booster seat untilPassenger cars | 4 to under 7 years: booster seat with a properly fastened and adjusted lap-sash seatbelt or child safety harness. 7 to under 16 years: child safety seat or booster depending on size, or a properly fastened seatbelt. [1] |
| Can police stop you for this alone?Passenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
Notes
- The amounts are not given on the pages read.
- If a child sits in the front seat, a booster seat without a top tether strap is needed because the front seat has no anchorage points.
Sources
- Service SA (My Licence): My Licence - The Driver's Handbook - Seatbelts and restraints (Internet Archive snapshot of 12 December 2025) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
- Service SA (My Licence): My Licence - The Driver's Handbook - Seatbelts (Internet Archive snapshot of 12 December 2025) (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 South Australia
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Offence; usually an expiation notice (fine) · Growing at home: Banned; small numbers expiable
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 100 km/h (110 km/h where signed)
- Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, since 1977 · Deposit per container: 10c refund
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 17 (P1 licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 16, with a supervisor
- Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Prescribed drug in system is an offence · THC threshold: Any THC detected
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (general use only)
- Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes for short-term visitors · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Permanent resident: SA licence within 90 days
- Home educationLegal status of home education: Approval (exemption) needed · Nature of the parental duty: School attendance
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence under s 21E (details not read)
- MopedsLicence: Any SA licence
- 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 used without touching; L/P1: none
- Smoke alarms in homesSmoke alarm legally required in homes: Yes, all homes
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 18
- 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%
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.