Seat belts and child seats in Nunavut (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Drivers and passengers must wear the seat belt of the seating position they occupy, and a passenger under 15 must wear it. An infant under 9 kg must be in a rearward-facing child restraint system and a toddler under 18 kg in a child restraint system, with a seat belt allowed in some vehicles not regularly used by the parent.
| 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 rearward-facing child restraint system. A toddler of 9 kg or more but under 18 kg must be secured in a child restraint system; in a vehicle not owned, leased or regularly used by a parent or guardian, a seat belt pelvic restraint may be used instead. [2] |
| Children in the front seatPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
Notes
- The Traffic Safety Act, s. 146(5), also requires a passenger under 15 to wear the seat belt where a belt is provided. The regulations name the Motor Vehicles Act, the former title of the Traffic Safety Act. Both texts are office consolidations; the Act text is current to 6 December 2019.
- Neither the Act nor the regulations read say where a child may sit in the vehicle.
- Neither the Act nor the regulations read mention air bags or rear-facing seats in the front seat.
Sources
- Government of Nunavut, Department of Justice (Nunavut Legislation): Traffic Safety Act, R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. M-16, as it applies in Nunavut, office consolidation current to 6 December 2019 (not an official statement of the law), section 146 (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Government of Nunavut, Department of Justice (Nunavut Legislation): Seat Belt Assembly and Child Restraint System Regulations, R.R.N.W.T. 1990, c. M-35, as it applies in Nunavut, office consolidation (not an official statement of the law) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Nunavut 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nunavut | Yes | Yes | Under 18 kg: child restraint system | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Northwest Territories | Yes | Yes | Infant <9 kg rear-facing; 9-18 kg restraint; <15 belt | ⚠ Not yet verified | No |
| Manitoba | Yes | Yes | Under 9, 36 kg and 145 cm (all three) | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Nunavut
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal within limits (19+)
- 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 5) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 (Class 7 learner's licence)
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No, unless the Fire Marshal authorises
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned (holding or using) · Hands-free use: Allowed
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 19 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 19
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.