Car seat & booster law

Alaska

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

Once the child is 8 years old, over 57 inches, or over 65 pounds. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child in a booster until the seat belt actually fits.

Q: Until what age does my child need a rear-facing car seat in Alaska?

Alaska requires a rear-facing seat for any child under 1 year old, and also for a child age 1 or older who still weighs under 20 pounds. Once your child is at least 1 year old and over 20 pounds, the law allows a forward-facing child restraint, though pediatricians recommend staying rear-facing as long as the car seat allows.

Q: Do children have to ride in the back seat in Alaska?

No. Alaska law does not require children to ride in the back seat. It is still recommended, since the back seat is the safest place to ride for all children younger than 13.

Verified · JUN 2026

Quick answer · Alaska

A car seat or booster is required until your child is 8 years old or taller than 4'9".

Children under 1 or under 20 pounds ride rear-facing; ages 1 to 3 over 20 pounds in a child restraint; ages 4 to 7 under 57 inches and under 65 pounds in a booster. From age 8, or once over 57 inches or 65 pounds, a seat belt is allowed.

Rear-facing < 1 yr Forward 1+ yr Booster < 8 yr Belt 8+ yr

Alaska Stat. § 28.05.095 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 8 or 4'9"
Back seat: Not required

Pediatricians recommend

AAP — safer, not the law

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

AAP guidance is a safety best practice and is separate from Alaska's legal minimum. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child in each stage longer than the law requires.

Every stage, by the law

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

Alaska car seat law requirements by restraint stage, age, height, weight, and statutory citation.
Stage	Age	Height	Weight	Citation
Rear-facing	Birth – 1 yr	—	—	Alaska Stat. § 28.05.095
Forward-facing	1 yr – 8 yr	—	—	Alaska Stat. § 28.05.095
Booster	until 8 yr	< 4'9" / 145 cm	—	Alaska Stat. § 28.05.095
Seat belt	8 yr +	or ≥ 4'9" / 145 cm	—	Alaska Stat. § 28.05.095
Back seat	Recommended < 13	—	—	Guidance

Rear-facing Alaska Stat. § 28.05.095

Age: Birth – 1 yr

Forward-facing Alaska Stat. § 28.05.095

Age: 1 yr – 8 yr

Booster Alaska Stat. § 28.05.095

Age: until 8 yr
Height: < 4'9" / 145 cm

Seat belt Alaska Stat. § 28.05.095

Age: 8 yr +
Height: or ≥ 4'9" / 145 cm

Back seat Guidance

Age: Recommended < 13

Frequently asked questions

What is the car seat law in Alaska in 2026?

When can my child stop using a booster in Alaska?

Once the child is 8 years old, over 57 inches, or over 65 pounds. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child in a booster until the seat belt actually fits.

Until what age does my child need a rear-facing car seat in Alaska?

Alaska requires a rear-facing seat for any child under 1 year old, and also for a child age 1 or older who still weighs under 20 pounds. Once your child is at least 1 year old and over 20 pounds, the law allows a forward-facing child restraint, though pediatricians recommend staying rear-facing as long as the car seat allows.

Do children have to ride in the back seat in Alaska?

No. Alaska law does not require children to ride in the back seat. It is still recommended, since the back seat is the safest place to ride for all children younger than 13.

Sources

Verified · JUN 2026

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