Seat belts and child seats in New Brunswick (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Drivers and passengers must wear the seat belt where the seat has one. A passenger under 9 who weighs under 36 kg and is under 145 cm tall must be in a prescribed child seating and restraint system, which may be a booster cushion. The fine is CAD 140 to CAD 1,100, and a driver without a belt also gets 2 demerit points.
| 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 | A child restraint system is required for a passenger who is under 9 years old, weighs under 36 kg and is under 145 cm tall (all three conditions). [2] |
| Children in the front seatPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Booster seat untilPassenger cars | There is no separate booster stage: a passenger under 9 who weighs under 36 kg and is under 145 cm tall must be in a child seating and restraint system, which may be a booster cushion meeting CMVSS 213.2. [2] |
| Fine for not wearing a seat beltPassenger cars | Category C offence: a fine of CAD 140 to CAD 1,100. A driver convicted of not wearing a seat belt also gets 2 demerit points. [3] |
Sources
- Government of New Brunswick: Motor Vehicle Act, RSNB 1973, c M-17, section 200.1 (Internet Archive snapshot of 1 October 2026) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Government of New Brunswick: Seat Belt Regulation - Motor Vehicle Act, NB Reg 83-163 (Internet Archive snapshot of 13 March 2026) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Government of New Brunswick: Provincial Offences Procedure Act, S.N.B. 1987, c. P-22.1, section 56 (Internet Archive snapshot of 1 October 2026) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
New Brunswick and neighbouring provinces and territories
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Brunswick | Yes | Yes | Under 9, 36 kg and 145 cm (all three) | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Quebec | Yes | Yes | Under 9 or under 145 cm | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| 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 |
More rules in New Brunswick
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal within limits (19+) · Growing at home: Yes, up to 4 plants, locked
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 80 km/h
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceEarliest age to drive a car supervised: 16 (stage one learner's licence)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle rules
- Fireworks
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $15.90 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Voice or one touch only
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 19 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 19
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 19 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 19
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.