Seat belts and child seats in Arizona (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Front-seat occupants must wear a belt, and the driver must require each passenger under 16 to wear one; police may only cite this after stopping a vehicle for another offence, and the civil penalty is up to $10. Children under 5, and children aged 5 to under 8 who are 4 ft 9 in or shorter, must be in a child restraint system, which includes a booster seat.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Seat belt compulsory in front seatsPassenger cars | Yes [1] |
| Seat belt compulsory in rear seatsPassenger cars | No [1] |
| Child restraint required untilPassenger cars | Children under 5 must be properly secured in a child restraint system. Children aged 5 to under 8 who are not more than 4 ft 9 in tall must also be restrained in a child restraint system. [2] |
| Children in the front seatPassenger cars | Section 28-907 sets no rule on which seat a child must use. [2] |
| Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Can police stop you for this alone?Passenger cars | Secondary enforcement: an officer may not stop or cite a driver for a seat-belt violation unless there is reasonable cause to believe another motor vehicle law has been broken. [1] |
| Booster seat untilPassenger cars | Children aged 5 to under 8 who are not more than 4 ft 9 in tall must be in a child restraint system, which by definition includes a booster seat. Children under 5 must be in a child restraint system. [2] |
| Fine for not wearing a seat beltPassenger cars | A civil penalty of up to $10 per violation. It does not count towards licence suspension and is not reported to the motor vehicle department. [1] |
Notes
- An officer may not stop or cite a person for the belt violation alone and needs reasonable cause for another motor vehicle violation. The duty covers vehicles for 10 or fewer passengers of model year 1972 or later that must have belts.
- The statute requires belts of rear-seat passengers only for those under 16; it sets no duty for older rear-seat passengers.
- The child restraint statute read does not state a rule on rear-facing child seats and an active front passenger airbag.
Sources
- Arizona Legislature: 28-909 - Vehicle restraints required; exceptions; civil penalty (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Arizona Legislature: 28-907 - Child restraint system; civil penalty; exemptions; notice; child restraint fund; definitions (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Arizona and neighbouring states
| State | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Yes (secondary enforcement) | Under 16 only | Restraint until age 8 or 4 ft 9 in | No seating rule | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| California | Yes, age 16+ | Yes, age 16+ | Rear-seat restraint under 8 (or 4 ft 9 in); belt 8+ | Under 8 in rear seat, with exceptions | Not allowed |
| New Mexico | Yes | Yes | Child restraint by age and weight to age 12; belt to 17 | Under 1: rear seat if the vehicle has one | No, unless no rear seat and no airbag switch |
| Nevada | Yes | Yes | Under 6 or under 57 in: child restraint system | Under 2: back seat; older children may ride in front | No: infants never in front with an airbag |
| Utah | Yes | Yes | Under 8, unless 57 in (1.45 m) tall | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Arizona
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal for adults 21+ within limits · Growing at home: Yes: 6 plants, 12 per residence
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 25 mph (prima facie) · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 65 mph (prima facie)
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (class G licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 (restricted permit); 15½ (standard permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1-3, bicycle rules
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (ground devices only) · Minimum age to buy: 16
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Concealed pocket knife not an offence · Locking or one-handed knives: No separate rule; 'pocket knife' not defined
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $15.15 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: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 (all alcohol) · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21 (all alcohol)
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: Zero (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.