Seat belts and child seats in Canada (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Seat belt and child restraint rules are set by each province and territory, so there are no national rules in this table.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|
Related pages
Canada: rules by state or province
| Province or territory | Seat belt compulsory in front seats | Seat belt compulsory in rear seats | Child restraint required until | Children in the front seat | Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbag |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | Yes | Yes | Under 6 and 18 kg or less; no booster law | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| British Columbia | Yes | Yes | Booster until 145 cm (children under 9) | ⚠ Not yet verified | No: not with an active front airbag |
| Manitoba | Yes | Yes | Under 9, 36 kg and 145 cm (all three) | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| New Brunswick | Yes | Yes | Under 9, 36 kg and 145 cm (all three) | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Yes | Yes | Age 8 or under; booster 18-37 kg, under 145 cm | ⚠ Not yet verified | No: not with an active front air bag |
| Northwest Territories | Yes | Yes | Infant <9 kg rear-facing; 9-18 kg restraint; <15 belt | ⚠ Not yet verified | No |
| Nova Scotia | Yes | Yes | Rear-facing to 2, forward to 4 (18 kg), booster to 9 | Belted child: not in front if rear seats exist | Not allowed |
| Nunavut | Yes | Yes | Under 18 kg: child restraint system | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Ontario | Yes | Yes | Under 8: seat by weight; booster 18-36 kg, under 145 cm | Not with a front air bag that is on or cannot be turned off | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Prince Edward Island | Yes | Yes | Infant/child seat under 18 kg; booster to 9 or 145 cm | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Quebec | Yes | Yes | Under 9 or under 145 cm | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Saskatchewan | Yes | Yes | 18 kg or less: child seat; under 7, to 145 cm: booster | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Yukon | Yes | Yes | Under 6: prescribed child restraint | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.