Arizona Car Seat Laws: What You Need to Know

Arizona takes child passenger safety seriously, and the state’s car seat laws are in place to protect kids every time they ride in a vehicle. If you are a parent, grandparent, or caregiver, understanding what the law requires will help keep your children safe and help you avoid a ticket.

Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-907:

• Children under 8 years old must be in a car seat or booster seat.
• Children under 4 years old must ride in a rear-facing seat until they reach the weight or height limit set by the manufacturer.
• Any child shorter than 4 feet 9 inches, even if they are already 8, must stay in a booster seat until they grow taller or reach the age limit.
• The fine for not following the law is about $50, but it can be waived if you show proof you got the right seat afterward.

You can also check with the Arizona Department of Transportation for more information about child passenger safety rules.

Here is a simple guide based on age and size. For more details, check Safe Kids Worldwide, which is a trusted source for child passenger safety.

NHTSA has a helpful tool to match your child’s age, height, and weight to the right seat.

Car seats save lives. According to the CDC, using a car seat the right way can cut the risk of injury in a crash by as much as 82 percent.

Starting June 30, 2025, all new car seats made in the U.S. will have to pass tougher side-impact tests. Older car seats do not need to be replaced unless they are expired, damaged, or recalled. You can check your seat’s label for the manufacture date and visit the NHTSA recall search tool to see if it is on a recall list.

1. Read your car seat manual and follow the instructions.
2. Check the height and weight limits so you don’t move your child to the next seat too soon.
3. Keep kids in the back seat. The American Academy of Pediatrics says kids should stay there until they are at least 13.
4. Register your car seat so you’ll know if there is ever a recall. You can do that on NHTSA’s site.

Here is the takeaway.

• If your child is under 8 or shorter than 4 feet 9 inches, they need a car seat or booster.
• If your child is under 4, they need to stay rear-facing.
• If your child is over 8 and taller than 4 feet 9 inches, a regular seat belt is fine if it fits correctly.

Following Arizona’s car seat laws is about more than avoiding a ticket. It is about giving your child the best chance of staying safe every time they ride.

For more resources, visit AAA’s Car Seat Safety Program or find a car seat inspection station near you.