In Arizona in 2026, seat belts are required for all drivers and passengers in the front seat and all children under the age of 16 in any seat. Failing to buckle up is a $10 base fine per violation, up to $50 for child seat violations. Arizona’s seat belt law is a primary offense for minors under 16 and a secondary offense for adults.

Charged with a seat belt violation? Contact our traffic violation attorneys in Scottsdale today for a free case review.

Are Seat Belts Mandatory in Arizona?

Arizona does not have a universal seat belt law requiring all motor vehicle occupants to buckle up, regardless of age or position in the car. As of 2026, the seat belt requirement only applies to adults in the front seat and children anywhere in the vehicle. People 16 or older riding in the back seat legally do not have to buckle up.

In the front seat, drivers and passengers must all buckle up, regardless of age. In the back seat, only children 15 and younger are required to buckle up. These seat belt laws apply to all motor vehicles equipped with safety belts.

Arizona Child Car Seat Laws 2026

Arizona has special requirements when it comes to buckling up children. Any child under the age of five must be properly secured in a car seat, while children between five and eight need booster seats.

According to Arizona Revised Statute §28-907, certain types of car seats should be used based on the age and height of the child: 

  • Rear-facing car seat: children under the age of two must be secured in rear-facing car seats. A rear-facing seat should be used until the child reaches the height or weight limit listed by the manufacturer.
  • Forward-facing car seat: children between the ages of two and four should be placed in forward-facing car seats, where they should remain until reaching the limits of the seat.
  • Booster seat: any child who is at least five years old but less than eight, and who has not yet reached 4’9” in height, must use a booster seat with a seat belt until reaching these parameters.

Parents have a responsibility to ensure young children are always correctly buckled into the right car seat or booster seat on drives. The seats should also be properly installed; Arizona hosts free car seat safety classes to help ensure child passenger safety.

Primary vs. Secondary Enforcement

Arizona’s child safety restraint laws are subject to primary enforcement. This means a law enforcement officer can stop a vehicle for this infraction alone. Upon stopping a vehicle, the officer will ask the driver about the ages and heights of children in the car to determine whether there has been a violation. If so, the driver can be ticketed and fined per offense.

Seat belt laws pertaining to those over the age of 16 come with secondary enforcement laws in Arizona, meaning a vehicle must be stopped for a reason other than a seat belt violation. Officers are not permitted to pull a driver over only for an adult not wearing a seat belt.

Can I Fight a Seat Belt Ticket in Arizona?

Yes, you can fight a ticket you were issued for a seat belt or car seat violation in Arizona. Seat belt infractions are penalized with a fine of $50 per offense, plus additional civil penalties and surcharges. A strong defense – such as exceptions to the seat belt rule – can protect you from the repercussions of this traffic ticket. 

Hiring a defense lawyer in Arizona can allow you to fight a seat belt ticket without the stress. Your lawyer can attend court appearances on your behalf to plead not guilty, potentially protecting you from having to pay a fine and accumulating points against your license. 

If you were recently ticketed for an alleged seat belt or car seat violation in Arizona, contact Corso Law Group for a free consultation to find out how we can help.

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