Seat belts and child seats in Alaska (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Everyone aged 16 or older must wear a safety belt, and police may stop a vehicle when an officer observes a violation. Children under 16 must be secured in a safety device suited to their age, weight and height; children over 4 and under 8 who are under 57 inches and under 65 pounds need a booster seat.
| 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 | Children under 16 must be secured in a safety device: rear-facing seat under 1 year or under 20 lb; child restraint from 1 to under 4 years and 20 lb or more; booster over 4 and under 8 years, under 57 inches and 20 to under 65 lb; otherwise a seat belt or device chosen by the driver. [1] |
| Children in the front seatPassenger cars | Section 28.05.095 sets no rule on which seat a child must use. [1] |
| Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Can police stop you for this alone?Passenger cars | An officer may stop a vehicle for a seat-belt violation when the officer personally observed it or otherwise has probable cause, so it can be enforced on its own (primary enforcement). [1] |
| Booster seat untilPassenger cars | A child over 4 and under 8 who is under 57 inches tall and weighs 20 to under 65 pounds must be secured in a booster seat or another approved child restraint. A child over 4 who exceeds those height or weight limits must use a seat belt. [1] |
Notes
- People under 16 are covered by the child safety device rule in subsection (b). Officers may not stop a vehicle only to check the belt duty for persons 16 or older unless they have probable cause of a violation.
- The child restraint statute read does not state a rule on rear-facing child seats and an active front passenger airbag.
Sources
- Alaska Legislature: Alaska Statutes Sec. 28.05.095. Use of seat belts and child safety devices required (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
More rules in Alaska
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- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 20 mph business, 25 mph residential · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (provisional licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 14 (instruction permit)
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (sold by permit holders) · Minimum age to buy: 18
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Excluded from concealed-weapon offences · Locking or one-handed knives: Under 16 needs consent; no sale under 18
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $14.00 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Texting only (voice calls allowed)
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: Any amount (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.