Seat belts and child seats in California (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: The driver and all passengers aged 16 or over must wear a safety belt; a first offence carries a fine of up to $20 plus penalty assessments. Children under 8 must be in a car seat or booster seat in a rear seat, with listed exceptions, unless they are 4 ft 9 in or taller, and children aged 8 to under 16 need a restraint or safety belt.
| 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 8 must be secured in an appropriate child passenger restraint system in a rear seat; children under 2 must be rear-facing unless they weigh 40 lb or more or are 40 inches or taller. A child under 8 who is 4 ft 9 in or taller may use a safety belt. Children aged 8 to under 16 need a child restraint or safety belt. [2] |
| Children in the front seatPassenger cars | Children under 8 must ride in a rear seat. Exceptions apply where there is no rear seat, the rear seats are side-facing jump seats or rear-facing seats, the restraint cannot be installed in the rear, all rear seats are occupied by children 7 or under, or medical reasons require it. [3] |
| Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars | No [3] |
| Fine for not wearing a seat beltPassenger cars | A fine of not more than $20 for a first offence and not more than $50 for each later offence, plus penalty assessments; the court may order a traffic school or belt-use course instead for a first offence. [1] |
| Booster seat untilPassenger cars | Children under 8 must be secured in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat. Children who are 8 or have reached 4 ft 9 in may use a booster seat but must at least use a safety belt. [4] |
Sources
- California Legislative Counsel: Vehicle Code, Division 12, Chapter 5, Article 3 (section 27315, Motor Vehicle Safety Act) (Internet Archive snapshot of 2026) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- California Legislative Counsel: Vehicle Code section 27360 (Internet Archive snapshot of 2026) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- California Legislative Counsel: Vehicle Code section 27363 (Internet Archive snapshot of 2026) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- California Highway Patrol: Child Safety Seats (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
California 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Arizona | Yes (secondary enforcement) | Under 16 only | Restraint until age 8 or 4 ft 9 in | No seating rule | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| 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 |
| Oregon | Yes | Yes | Booster until age 8 or over 4 ft 9 in | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in California
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal, 21+, within limits · Growing at home: Up to 6 plants, 21+
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 25 mph · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph (2-lane undivided)
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (provisional licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15½ (instruction permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1-3, bicycle rules · Minimum age: Class 3: 16
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (state-approved "safe and sane" only) · Minimum age to buy: 16 (safe and sane fireworks)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Dagger only if blade exposed and locked · Locking or one-handed knives: Switchblade of 2 in or more banned; thumb-stud OK
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $16.90 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 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.01% (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.