Seat belts and child seats in Northwest Territories (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: The driver and passengers over 15 must wear a seat belt, and a passenger under 15 must wear one too; the specified penalty is CAD 172. A passenger of the prescribed size or weight must be in a prescribed child restraint system, and a rear-facing seat may not be used where the front air bag is on.
| 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 | An infant under 9 kg must be secured in a rear-facing child restraint system and a toddler of 9 kg or more but under 18 kg in a child restraint system, used as the manufacturer instructs and meeting the CMVSS standards. Any passenger under 15 must wear a complete seat belt assembly. [2] |
| Children in the front seatPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars | No [2] |
| Fine for not wearing a seat beltPassenger cars | Specified penalty CAD 172 (fine of CAD 150 plus CAD 22 surcharge) for a driver or passenger not properly wearing a seat belt. [3] |
Sources
- Government of the Northwest Territories: Motor Vehicles Act, RSNWT 1988, c. M-16, section 146 (Internet Archive snapshot of 28 September 2026) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Justice: Seat Belt Assembly and Child Restraint System Regulations (Motor Vehicles Act) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
- Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Justice: Summary Conviction Procedures Regulations, section 7 and Schedule A (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
Northwest Territories 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Territories | Yes | Yes | Infant <9 kg rear-facing; 9-18 kg restraint; <15 belt | ⚠ Not yet verified | No |
| Yukon | Yes | Yes | Under 6: prescribed child restraint | ⚠ 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 |
| Alberta | Yes | Yes | Under 6 and 18 kg or less; no booster law | ⚠ 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 |
| Nunavut | Yes | Yes | Under 18 kg: child restraint system | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Northwest Territories
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal within limits (19+) · Growing at home: Yes, up to 4 plants per household
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 90 km/h
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (Class 5P, after a year as a learner) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15, with a supervisor (24 months' experience)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle rules · Minimum age: No minimum (12 advised)
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No, unless the Fire Marshal authorises
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $17.20 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Hands-free allowed
- 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
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.05% (24-hour suspension) · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: Zero (novice, under 22)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.