Seat belts and child seats in Hawaii (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Hawaii has a universal seat belt law: every occupant in every seat must be restrained by a seat belt or child restraint. Children under 4 ride in a child safety seat, and children aged 4 to under 10 in a harnessed seat or booster unless they are 7 or older and over 4 ft 9 in. A seat-belt violation costs a $45 fine plus surcharges of $10 to $20.
| 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 2 must be in a rear-facing harness restraint; ages 2 to under 4 in a rear- or forward-facing harness restraint; ages 4 to under 10 in a harness restraint or booster seat. A child aged 7 to under 10 who is over 4 ft 9 in may instead use a lap and shoulder belt. [2] |
| Children in the front seatPassenger cars | Section 291-11.5 sets no rule on which seat a child must use. [2] |
| Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Booster seat untilPassenger cars | Children aged 4 to under 10 must ride in a harnessed child restraint or a booster seat. From age 7 a child over 4 ft 9 in may use a lap-and-shoulder seat belt instead. [2] |
| Fine for not wearing a seat beltPassenger cars | $45 per violation plus a $10 neurotrauma surcharge, and possibly up to $10 more for the trauma system fund. The driver is cited for each unrestrained occupant. [1] |
Notes
- The statute read does not state a rule on rear-facing seats and front airbags. A Hawaii Department of Transportation brochure advises never to install a rear-facing seat in a front seat with an airbag, which is guidance rather than statutory text.
Sources
- Hawaii State Legislature: Hawaii Revised Statutes 291-11.6 Mandatory use of seat belts, when, penalty (Internet Archive snapshot of 24 August 2025) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Hawaii State Legislature: Hawaii Revised Statutes 291-11.5 Child passenger restraints (Internet Archive snapshot of 23 February 2024) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
More rules in Hawaii
- Cannabis
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: Set by county ordinance or signs · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): Set by county ordinance or signs
- 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 · Minimum age: Class 2/3: 16 or supervised
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Oahu: No (firecrackers with permit) · Minimum age to buy: Oahu: 18 (firecracker permit)
- Knives and pepper sprayLocking or one-handed knives: Switchblade or butterfly knife: concealed carry banned
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $16.00 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned (holding) · Hands-free use: Allowed (not under 18)
- 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: Zero (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.