Seat belts and child seats in New Hampshire (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: A passenger under 18 must wear a seat or safety belt, and a driver under 18 must wear one. A child under 7 must be in a child restraint system unless 57 inches (1.45 m) or taller, and a child under 2 in a rear-facing system. The statute read is a snapshot of 26 January 2024.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Seat belt compulsory in front seatsPassenger cars | No [1] |
| Seat belt compulsory in rear seatsPassenger cars | No [1] |
| Child restraint required untilPassenger cars | A passenger under age 7 must be properly secured by a child restraint system meeting 49 C.F.R. 571.213, unless the passenger is 57 inches (1.45 m) or more in height. A passenger under age 2 must be in a rear-facing child restraint system. A passenger under 18 must wear a seat or safety belt. [1] |
| Children in the front seatPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Rear-facing child seat in front with active airbagPassenger cars | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Fine for not wearing a seat beltPassenger cars | New Hampshire has no seat-belt law for adults. Breaching the rule for passengers and drivers under 18 is a violation with a $50 fine for a first offence ($100 for a repeat). [1] |
Notes
- RSA 265:107-a is the only seat belt or restraint section in chapter 265 (Rules of the Road); it requires a belt only for passengers and drivers under 18. Other chapters were not searched.
Sources
- New Hampshire General Court: RSA 265:107-a Child Passenger Restraints Required (Internet Archive snapshot of 26 January 2024) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
New Hampshire 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | Under 18 only | Under 18 only | Under 7 unless 57 in+; under 2 rear-facing | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Yes | Under 8 unless over 57 in; under 13 belt | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Maine | Yes, all seats | Yes, all seats | Booster under 8 yrs, 57 in and 80 lb; belt to 18 | Under 12 in rear seat if possible | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Vermont | Yes | Yes | Booster under 8; belt under 18 | Rear seat if practical (under 13) | Not allowed |
More rules in New Hampshire
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Violation: $100 fine up to 3/4 oz
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 30 mph · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph (45 mph on unimproved rural highway)
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (youth operator licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15½ (learning to drive, accompanied)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1, 2, 3 (bicycle) · Minimum age: 16+ for Class 3
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (permissible fireworks, licensed sellers) · Minimum age to buy: 21 (18+ if on active duty)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Knives not named in the carry offence · Locking or one-handed knives: Not named in the carry offence
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $7.25 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Hands-free allowed (18+)
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.