Seat belts and child seats in Mexico City (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Drivers must make sure all passengers wear the seat belt; the fine is 5, 7 or 10 UMA and 1 licence point. Passengers under 12 or under 1.45 m must ride in a child restraint or booster seat in a rear seat, with a front-seat exception only when the vehicle has no rear seat and the airbag is deactivated.
| 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 | Passengers under 12 years old or under 1.45 m tall must be carried in a child restraint system or booster seat that meets certified standards and is correctly fitted. [1] |
| Children in the front seatPassenger cars | Passengers under 12 or under 1.45 m must ride in the rear seat row directly behind the driver or front passenger that has a three-point belt. They may ride in the front only if the vehicle has no rear seat, there is room for a suitable restraint and the airbag system is deactivated. [1] |
| Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars | No [1] |
| Booster seat untilPassenger cars | Passengers under 12 or under 1.45 m must use a certified child restraint system or booster seat (asiento elevador) in a rear seat. Annex 4 describes a booster seat as for children over 4 (over 15 kg), with the group 3 booster for about 22 to 36 kg (about 6 to 11 years). [2] |
| Fine for not wearing a seat beltPassenger cars | A driver who does not wear a seat belt or does not make sure all passengers wear one correctly is fined 5, 7 or 10 UMA and gets 1 penalty point on the licence; if caught by a camera system, 1 penalty point goes on the vehicle plate. [2] |
Notes
- The driver must make sure all passengers wear the belt correctly. Occupants of emergency vehicles are excepted, and taxi drivers are not required to do this for their passengers.
Sources
- Consejería Jurídica y de Servicios Legales de la Ciudad de México: Reglamento de Tránsito de la Ciudad de México (texto vigente, última reforma 11-02-2020) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Consejería Jurídica y de Servicios Legales de la Ciudad de México: Reglamento de Tránsito de la Ciudad de México (texto vigente, última reforma G.O. CDMX 30 de junio de 2026) (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 Mexico City
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 18
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.