Seat belts and child seats in Chihuahua (2026)

Last reviewed: 9 October 2026

In short: In Chihuahua the Ley de Vialidad y Tránsito obliges drivers and passengers to use the seat belt. Children shorter than 1.35 m, and anyone who needs it because of physique, must travel in a special seat secured in the rear seat.

RuleWhat applies
Seat belt compulsory in front seatsPassenger carsYes [1]
Seat belt compulsory in rear seatsPassenger carsYes [1]
Child restraint required untilPassenger carsChildren and adolescents shorter than 1.35 m, and anyone who needs it because of physique, must be carried in a special seat meeting the applicable Mexican standard, secured in the rear seat. [1]
Children in the front seatPassenger carsChildren and adolescents shorter than 1.35 m, and anyone who needs it because of physique, must be carried in a special seat secured in the rear seat. Drivers and passengers may not carry children on their lap while driving. [1]
Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars⚠ Not yet verified

Notes

  • The duties are in the Ley de Vialidad y Tránsito (articles 48 and 50). The Ley de Movilidad y Seguridad Vial (2025) only requires traffic regulations to include these measures (article 107) and uses the same 1.35 m height. Municipal rules may differ.
  • The texts read (Ley de Vialidad y Tránsito, Ley de Movilidad y Seguridad Vial) do not state a rule on rear-facing child seats and an active front passenger airbag.

Sources

  1. H. Congreso del Estado de Chihuahua: Ley de Vialidad y Tránsito para el Estado de Chihuahua (última reforma POE 8 August 2026, No. 63) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources

National rules that also apply

These rules are set at national level in Mexico and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for Mexico

Seat belt compulsory in front seats (Federal roads)Yes (source: Diario Oficial de la Federación (Secretaría de Gobernación))
Seat belt compulsory in rear seats (Federal roads)Yes (source: Diario Oficial de la Federación (Secretaría de Gobernación))
Children in the front seat (Federal roads)In cars and vans (vagonetas), children under 7 must travel in the rear seats. (source: Diario Oficial de la Federación (Secretaría de Gobernación))
Fine for not wearing a seat belt (Federal roads)20 to 25 times the daily quota (cuota diaria), which the regulation defines as one UMA. The same fine applies to a child under 7 in a front seat. (source: Diario Oficial de la Federación (Presidencia de la República))

More rules in Chihuahua

  • Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 30 km/h secondary and local; 50 km/h primary avenues · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 80 km/h state highways; 50 km/h in urban zones
  • Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 18
  • Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.05% (0.25 mg/L breath) · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% novice; zero under 18

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.