Car seat & booster law

Alabama

Q: Is the Alabama car seat law changing?

No. As of October 6, 2026, when SeatChecker last checked the statute, no enacted change to the Alabama car seat law is scheduled. Current law: Infants ride rear-facing until at least 1 year or 20 pounds; then forward-facing until at least 5 years or 40 pounds; then a booster until age 6; then a seat belt until age 15.

Q: What age can a child sit in the front seat in Alabama?

Alabama law sets no minimum age for riding in the front seat. The child restraint rules still apply: a car seat or booster is required until age 6. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the back seat for all children under 13. That is best practice, not a legal requirement in Alabama.

Q: When can my child stop using a booster in Alabama?

At age 6. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child in a booster until the seat belt actually fits, often around 4 feet 9 inches and ages 8 to 12.

Q: How long must a child ride rear-facing in Alabama?

Alabama requires infants to ride rear-facing until at least 1 year of age or 20 pounds. After that, the law allows a forward-facing seat with a harness, though safety experts recommend keeping a child rear-facing as long as the car seat allows.

Q: What is the fine for a car seat violation in Alabama?

A violation may be fined $25 per offense. The charge may be dismissed with no court costs if you show proof that you acquired an appropriate child restraint, and $15 of the fine funds restraint vouchers for low-income families.

Verified · OCT 2026

Quick answer · Alabama

A car seat or booster is required until your child is 6 years old.

Infants ride rear-facing until at least 1 year or 20 pounds; then forward-facing until at least 5 years or 40 pounds; then a booster until age 6; then a seat belt until age 15.

Rear-facing < 1 yr Forward 1+ yr Booster < 6 yr Belt 6+ yr

Ala. Code § 32-5-222 Read the statute

Car seat law checker

The legally required restraint, by state.

General information, not legal advice.

SeatChecker

Required vs recommended

What the law enforces, and what pediatricians advise. They are not the same.

The law requires

Minimum, or it's enforceable

Rear-facing until: Age 1
Booster until: Age 6
Front seat: No age set in law

Pediatricians recommend

AAP: safer, not the law

Rear-facing until: To seat limit (often age 2+)
Booster until: 4'9", typically age 8 to 12
Front seat: Back seat until 13

AAP guidance is a safety best practice and is separate from Alabama's legal minimum, which ends the booster requirement at age 6. Pediatricians recommend a booster until the seat belt fits, often closer to 4 feet 9 inches and ages 8 to 12.

Every stage, by the law

Dual units shown throughout (in + cm, lb + kg). Rows marked Guidance are best practice, not a statutory requirement in Alabama.

Alabama car seat law requirements by restraint stage, age, height, weight, and statutory citation.
Stage	Age	Height	Weight	Citation
Rear-facing	Birth – 1 yr	—	or 20 lb / 9 kg	Ala. Code § 32-5-222
Forward-facing	1 yr – 6 yr	—	—	Ala. Code § 32-5-222
Booster	until 6 yr	—	—	Ala. Code § 32-5-222
Seat belt	6 yr +	—	—	Ala. Code § 32-5-222
Back seat / front seat	Recommended < 13	—	—	Guidance

Rear-facing Ala. Code § 32-5-222

Age: Birth – 1 yr
Weight: or 20 lb / 9 kg

Forward-facing Ala. Code § 32-5-222

Age: 1 yr – 6 yr

Booster Ala. Code § 32-5-222

Age: until 6 yr

Seat belt Ala. Code § 32-5-222

Age: 6 yr +

Back seat / front seat Guidance

Age: Recommended < 13

Frequently asked questions

What is the car seat law in Alabama in 2026?

Infants ride rear-facing until at least 1 year or 20 pounds; then forward-facing until at least 5 years or 40 pounds; then a booster until age 6; then a seat belt until age 15.

Is the Alabama car seat law changing?

No. As of October 6, 2026, when SeatChecker last checked the statute, no enacted change to the Alabama car seat law is scheduled. Current law: Infants ride rear-facing until at least 1 year or 20 pounds; then forward-facing until at least 5 years or 40 pounds; then a booster until age 6; then a seat belt until age 15.

What age can a child sit in the front seat in Alabama?

Alabama law sets no minimum age for riding in the front seat. The child restraint rules still apply: a car seat or booster is required until age 6. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the back seat for all children under 13. That is best practice, not a legal requirement in Alabama.

When can my child stop using a booster in Alabama?

At age 6. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child in a booster until the seat belt actually fits, often around 4 feet 9 inches and ages 8 to 12.

How long must a child ride rear-facing in Alabama?

Alabama requires infants to ride rear-facing until at least 1 year of age or 20 pounds. After that, the law allows a forward-facing seat with a harness, though safety experts recommend keeping a child rear-facing as long as the car seat allows.

What is the fine for a car seat violation in Alabama?

A violation may be fined $25 per offense. The charge may be dismissed with no court costs if you show proof that you acquired an appropriate child restraint, and $15 of the fine funds restraint vouchers for low-income families.

Sources

Verified · OCT 2026

How Alabama compares

Where Alabama ranks among all 50 states, DC, and the US territories on each measure. Rankings compare legal minimums only and are not safety ratings.

Strictest car seat laws by state
#48 of 56, tied · 25 / 100
Rear-facing car seat laws by state
#26 of 32, tied · Age 1
Booster seat laws by state
#47 of 52, tied · Age 6
Car seat fines by state
#20 of 28, tied · $25
Back seat laws by state
No back-seat law, not ranked

See all car seat law rankings →

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