Car seat & booster law

Arizona

Q: Is the Arizona car seat law changing?

No. As of October 6, 2026, when SeatChecker last checked the statute, no enacted change to the Arizona car seat law is scheduled. Current law: Children under 5 must be in a child restraint system. Children 5 to 7 who are not more than 4 feet 9 inches tall must be in a booster. From age 8, or once more than 4 feet 9 inches tall, a seat belt is allowed.

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

Arizona 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 8 or 4'9". The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the back seat for all children under 13. That is best practice, not a legal requirement in Arizona.

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

A violation is subject to a civil penalty of $50.

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

A child can stop using a booster once they reach age 8, or once they are more than 4 feet 9 inches (57 inches) tall. At that point a seat belt is allowed. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child in a booster until the seat belt fits properly, which is often later.

Q: Does Arizona require children to ride rear-facing, and until what age?

Arizona law does not set a rear-facing age. There is no statutory age at which a child must remain rear-facing; restraints only need to meet the federal standard. Pediatricians still recommend keeping a child rear-facing as long as the seat allows.

Verified · OCT 2026

Quick answer · Arizona

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

Children under 5 must be in a child restraint system. Children 5 to 7 who are not more than 4 feet 9 inches tall must be in a booster. From age 8, or once more than 4 feet 9 inches tall, a seat belt is allowed.

Rear-facing per seat Forward per seat Booster < 8 yr Belt 8+ yr

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 28-907 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: Not specified by law
Booster until: Age 8 or 4'9"
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 Arizona'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 Arizona.

Arizona car seat law requirements by restraint stage, age, height, weight, and statutory citation.
Stage	Age	Height	Weight	Citation
Rear-facing	Infant (per seat)	—	—	Guidance
Forward-facing	Toddler (per seat)	—	—	Guidance
Booster	until 8 yr	≤ 4'9" / 145 cm	—	Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 28-907
Seat belt	8 yr +	or > 4'9" / 145 cm	—	Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 28-907
Back seat / front seat	Recommended < 13	—	—	Guidance

Rear-facing Guidance

Age: Infant (per seat)

Forward-facing Guidance

Age: Toddler (per seat)

Booster Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 28-907

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

Seat belt Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 28-907

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

Back seat / front seat Guidance

Age: Recommended < 13

Frequently asked questions

What is the car seat law in Arizona in 2026?

Is the Arizona car seat law changing?

No. As of October 6, 2026, when SeatChecker last checked the statute, no enacted change to the Arizona car seat law is scheduled. Current law: Children under 5 must be in a child restraint system. Children 5 to 7 who are not more than 4 feet 9 inches tall must be in a booster. From age 8, or once more than 4 feet 9 inches tall, a seat belt is allowed.

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

Arizona 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 8 or 4'9". The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the back seat for all children under 13. That is best practice, not a legal requirement in Arizona.

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

A violation is subject to a civil penalty of $50.

When can my child stop using a booster seat in Arizona?

A child can stop using a booster once they reach age 8, or once they are more than 4 feet 9 inches (57 inches) tall. At that point a seat belt is allowed. Pediatricians recommend keeping a child in a booster until the seat belt fits properly, which is often later.

Does Arizona require children to ride rear-facing, and until what age?

Arizona law does not set a rear-facing age. There is no statutory age at which a child must remain rear-facing; restraints only need to meet the federal standard. Pediatricians still recommend keeping a child rear-facing as long as the seat allows.

Sources

Verified · OCT 2026

How Arizona compares

Where Arizona 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
#29 of 56, tied · 42 / 100
Rear-facing car seat laws by state
No statutory age, not ranked
Booster seat laws by state
#10 of 52, tied · Age 8
Car seat fines by state
#11 of 28, tied · $50
Back seat laws by state
No back-seat law, not ranked

See all car seat law rankings →

Keep exploring

Check your child

Enter age, height, and weight for the exact restraint.

Arizona vs California

See which state is stricter, side by side.

Arizona vs Colorado

See which state is stricter, side by side.

Arizona vs Nevada

See which state is stricter, side by side.

All states

Browse car seat laws for every US state.