Seat belts and child seats in Victoria (2026)
Last reviewed: 13 October 2026
In short: Everyone in a vehicle with seat belts fitted must wear one, and the driver is responsible for passengers. Children under 7 must use a restraint for their age, and children under 4 must travel in the back unless the vehicle has one row 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 | Under 7: rear-facing seat from birth to 6 months; rear-facing seat first, then forward-facing with an inbuilt harness, from 7 months to under 4 years; forward-facing seat with an inbuilt harness, then a booster seat, from 4 to under 7. From 7 to 16: a booster or forward-facing seat, then an adult seat belt once it fits. [2] |
| Children in the front seatPassenger cars | Children under 4 must travel in the back seat unless the vehicle has only one row of seats. The page's table says children aged 5 to 7 may sit in the front only if all the back seats are taken by passengers under 7, in a suitable child restraint. [2] |
| Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Fine for not wearing a seat beltPassenger cars | Drivers can be fined if a person in the vehicle is not properly restrained. Passengers aged 16 and over can also be fined. [1] |
| Booster seat untilPassenger cars | Booster seat after the forward-facing seat with inbuilt harness from 4 to under 7. From 7 to 16 a booster seat or harness seat until the lap-sash seat belt fits, tested with a five step test. [2] |
| Can police stop you for this alone?Passenger cars | Distracted driver and seatbelt detection cameras are used on Victorian roads to detect drivers or passengers not wearing a seatbelt correctly [3] |
Notes
- The age band is written '5 to 7 years' on the page. The page does not state the rule for exactly 4 years old, so check the Road Safety Road Rules 2017 (r 266A).
- The page advises not to use a rear-facing child restraint where there is a passenger airbag. Whether this is a legal rule was not checked.
- The amounts are not given on the pages read.
Sources
- Transport Victoria: Seat belts (Internet Archive snapshot of 24 September 2026) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
- Transport Victoria: Child car seat and restraint road rules (Internet Archive snapshot of 1 October 2025) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
- Cameras Save Lives (Victorian Government): Distracted driver and seatbelt detection cameras (consulted 15 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 Victoria
- E-scootersUse on public roads: Yes, paths and roads up to 60 km/h · Minimum age: 16
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Criminal offence; small amounts max 5 penalty units · Growing at home: Banned
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 100 km/h
- Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, CDS Vic · Deposit per container: 10c refund
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 18 (probationary licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 16
- Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Any amount of THC is an offence · THC threshold: Any amount of THC
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle rules
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (licensed only)
- Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, if living in Victoria under 6 months · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Convert if living in Victoria 6+ months
- Home educationLegal status of home education: Registration required · Nature of the parental duty: School or registration
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Controlled weapon; excuse needed · Locking or one-handed knives: Flick and butterfly knives prohibited
- 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/built-in only; L/P: none
- Smoke alarms in homesSmoke alarm legally required in homes: Yes, all homes · Minimum alarms and where: One per level, plus by bedrooms
- 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% · 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.