What are the Arizona car seat laws?
According to Arizona State Law, all children under the age of 8 must be secured with a child safety seat or device that meets federal standards and requirements and in accordance with the car seat manufacturer’s instructions.
That’s a brief introduction to Arizona car seat laws. Here in this guide for AZ car seat laws, we try to provide as many details as possible to explain the Arizona car seat laws on booster seat age and height requirements, rear-facing and forward-facing rules, and when a child can sit in the front seat in Arizona.
Arizona Car Seat Laws Overview
The Arizona Legislature Law Section 28-907 A and B on Child Passenger Safety reads: A. [...] A person shall not operate a motor vehicle on the highways in this state when transporting a child who is under five years of age unless that child is properly secured in a child restraint system. B. The operator of a motor vehicle that is designed for carrying ten or fewer passengers, that is manufactured for[...] shall require each passenger who is at least five years of age, who is under eight years of age and who is not more than four feet nine inches tall to be restrained in a child restraint system.
The car seat laws go into three car seat stages – rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster. So we also talk about Arizona child seat laws in these three categories.
Can’t wait to know the AZ booster seat laws? Just click the booster field below.
Before that, you may also want to know what’s the meaning of the ‘child restraint system’ in AZ car seat laws.
"Child restraint system" means an add-on child restraint system, a built-in child restraint system, a factory-installed built-in child restraint system, a rear-facing child restraint system or a booster seat as defined in 49 Code of Federal Regulations section 571.213.
Rear-Facing
Arizona Rear-facing Car Seat Laws
Forward-Facing
Arizona Forward facing Car Seat Rules
Booster
Arizona Booster Seat Laws
Arizona Car Seat Laws Rear-Facing
The Arizona laws in sections 28-907 A do not specify the rules for rear-facing riding. It just requires that a child who is under five years of age should be properly secured in a child restraint system.
But the minimum requirement in other States is that a child must be rear-facing for at least 1 year and 20 pounds.
However, it is recommended that children remain rear-facing as long as they meet the seat manufacturers’ specifications.
Not specified
Not specified
Arizona Forward Facing Car Seat Laws
Arizona laws in sections 28-907 A and B do not specifically list the requirements for forward-facing child car seats either, but only ask the operators to use an appropriate child restraint system for children under five years old.
Except as provided in subsection H of this section, a person shall not operate a motor vehicle on the highways in this state when transporting a child who is under five years of age unless that child is properly secured in a child restraint system.
At this point, the guidelines from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration should be helpful to give parents tips – forward-facing car seats can be used for children aged between 1 and 7.
Under 5 years old
Not specified
Further Information
Arizona Booster Seats Laws
Arizona law in section 28-907 B requires children who are at least 5 years of age or under 8 years old but not more than 4 feet 9 inches tall to ride in a child restraint system.
The operator of a motor vehicle that is designed for carrying ten or fewer passengers, that is manufactured for the model year 1972 and thereafter and that is required to be equipped with an integrated lap and shoulder belt or a lap belt pursuant to the federal motor vehicle safety standards prescribed in 49 Code of Federal Regulations section 571.208 shall require each passenger who is at least five years of age, who is under eight years of age and who is not more than four feet nine inches tall to be restrained in a child restraint system.
The laws do not specifically mention booster seats, which should be good for big kids above 4 years old.
Supplement for this booster seat law is that a child is no longer required to ride in a booster seat once a child is more than 4 feet 9 inches, regardless of age.
However, it’s not recommended to get your child out of a car seat too soon.
You need to make sure the seat belt fits your child properly in size.
At least 5 years old
Under 8 years old
Not more than 57 inches tall
Further Information
Arizona Seat Belt Laws for Child
There are no age and weight and height requirements for a child to wear a seat belt in Arizona law.
But the common laws among US states require a child over 8 years old to be secured in a seat belt like an adult.
However, you can keep using a booster seat for big kids as long as possible until they outgrow the weight or height limits allowed by the car seat manufacturer.
Arizona law emphasizes on the operator who drives ten or fewer passengers to be equipped with an integrated lap and shoulder belt or a lap belt pursuant to the federal motor vehicle safety standards.
8 years or older
57 inches or taller
Arizona Front Seat Laws
When can a child sit in the front seat in Arizona?
There is no age mentioned in the Arizona State Law for a child to sit in the front seat.
However, it’s NOT recommended to place children under the age of 13 years old in the front seat.
Implements on car seat laws from Arizona City of Mesa state:
Most organizations recommend that children 12 and under always ride in the back seat. If for some reason your child must sit in the front seat (two-seat vehicles or pick-up trucks with tight extended cabs, for example) make sure that the passenger side airbag is either deactivated or operates on an automatic sensor turning it off under a certain weight application and the vehicle seat is pushed back as far as possible.
Legal Age to Sit in the Front Seat
Not mention
Recommended Age to Sit in the Front Seat
at least 12 years old
Penalty for Breaking Car Seat Laws in Arizona
The regulation in section 28-907 D makes it clear on punishment is not obeying the Arizona laws. Violators will be fined $50 for the offense.
Arizona Car Seat Laws Apply for
If driving in Arizona, the drivers are responsible for a child passenger’s safety in the motor vehicle, except below situations.
Exceptions:
1. The motor vehicle does not have passenger restraint devices.
2. The motor vehicle is a recreational vehicle.
3. A commercial motor vehicle.
4. An emergency case.
5. An authorized emergency vehicle.
6. The child restraint devices are not enough for the child passengers in the motor vehicle.
Taxi Car Seat Law in Arizona
Taxis are supposed to be exempt from following the Arizona law. Section 28-907 H lists the regulations for exceptional situations. The third rule says:
“3. A person who operates a commercial motor vehicle and who holds a current commercial driver license issued pursuant to chapter 8 of this title.”
Taxis are generally considered one type of commercial motor vehicle. If this rule works for a taxicab, it’s supposed to be applicable for ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft.
Age, Weight, Height Requirements in Arizona Laws
Arizona laws do not say much about the age, weight, and height requirements, but only things listed below.
Under 5 years of age
Use a child restraint system
Through 5 to 8 years old & less than 57 inches in height
Stick to a child restraint system
Check the meaning of the child restraint system before purchasing a car seat for your child.
Further Information
What you Need to Know – Four Car Seat Stages
Best Car Seats for Travel in Arizona
Based on the AZ child car seat laws, here are the best car seats that will ride your boys or girls safely without breaking the rules.
To help parents quickly find the best option based on their child’s current age, this list is made by age.
Birth - 2 Years
30-lb rear-facing maximum weight
35-lb rear-facing maximum weight
Further Information
More than this Doona car seat and stroller combo, there are a few excellent options available for riding infants rear-facing. But not all will perform as well as it to allow 1-year-old infants to face the back for this long time, Chicco KeyFit 30 for example, features a low 30-lb weight limit that might not go through the first year.
Doona Infant Car Seat Stroller Combo
- Weight Range: 4-35 lbs.
- Height Limit: 32 inches
- Lifespan: 6 years
- Type: Infant
- Stage: 1st
- Suitable for: Birth to 18 months old
The Good
- Combine a car seat and stroller
- Easy in and out
- Support installation without a car seat base
- Smooth transition between car seat and stroller
- Compact size design for storage and carrying
- Friendly and portable to take for air travel
- The handle can be used as an anti-rebound bar
- 2 years manufacturer's warranty
The Bad
- Short handle not friendly for tall people
- A little expensive
- Not include undercarriage basket for storage
- A bit heavy
40-lb rear-facing maximum weight
50-lb rear-facing maximum weight
Further Information
Birth - 5 Years
65-lb forward-facing maximum weight
49-inch forward-facing maximum height
Further Information
Further Information
This convertible car seat is great enough to meet the parent’s need to ride their kids in the rear- and front-facing for a longer time. It features 50-lb rear-facing weight limit to be one of the best rear-facing car seats for 2 years old.
Graco Extend2Fit
- Weight Range: 4-50 lb. (RF) & 22-65 lb. (FF)
- Height Limit: 32 in. (RF) & 49 in. (FF)
- Lifespan: 10 years
- Type: Convertible
- Stage: 1st, 2nd
- Suitable for: Birth to 7 years old
The Good
- 50 lbs high rear-facing limit
- Extension panel for more leg room
- Comparatively easy to install
- No rethread harness
- Fuss-free harness storage compartment
- A place to store the buckle
- Budget friendly
- Two cup holders on both sides
- 10 years of lifespan
The Bad
- A bit heavy
- Too wide to fit for small cars
- The mediocre appearance
5-8 Years
100-lb booster maximum weight
120-lb booster maximum weight
57-in booster maximum height
63-in booster maximum height
Further Information
Further Information
The Diono Cambria 2 XL combines a highback and backless booster into one. It provides spacious room for growing big kids.
Diono Cambria 2 XL
- Weight Range: 40-120 lb.
- Height Limit: 63 in.
- Lifespan: 8 years
- Type: Booster
- Stage: 3rd
- Suitable for: 4-10 years old
The Good
- Up to 120 lb weight limit for big kids
- Up to 63-inch height limit
- XL size for roomy space
- Two modes for booster
- 8 years of lifespan
The Bad
- Can’t be installed on airplane
- Not fit 3 across
- Best to Fit 3 Across – Diono Radian 3R
- Best 4-in-1 car seat with backless booster – Graco 4Ever DLX
- Best Booster with 5 point harness – Graco Tranzitions
All 50 US States Car Seat Laws
FAQs on Arizona Car Seat Laws
What are the height and weight requirements for a booster seat in Arizona?
According to the Arizona booster seat laws, children who are not more than 4 feet 9 inches tall should stay in a child restraint system that can be a booster seat.
That’s the booster seat height requirement to ride a child in Arizona. No weight rule was mentioned.
When can a child use a booster seat in AZ?
In Arizona, children who are at least five years old or under eight years old should ride in a booster seat until they reach 57 inches tall.
Can a 4 year old sit in a booster seat Arizona?
Under current Arizona car seat laws, a child must be secured with a car seat or a booster seat if he or she is: Younger than 8 years old, or. Shorter than 4 feet, 9 inches tall (57 inches).
Does 7 years old need a car seat in AZ?
Yes.
According to the Arizona booster seats laws, any child who is at least five years of age, who is under eight years of age, and who is not more than four feet nine inches tall should be restrained in a child restraint system.
Can my 8 year old sit in the front seat in Arizona?
Arizona State Law doesn’t specify when a child can legally sit in the front seat.
However, the documents from Arizona City of MESA implement the front seat rules:
It’s better NOT to place a child in the front seat until they are 13 years old.
Can a 10 year old sit in the front seat in AZ?
It’s the same as the last question.
Arizona State Law doesn’t specify when a child can legally sit in the front seat.
The best practice is to follow NHTSA’s guidelines – put your child in the back seat until they’re 13 years old.
Sources
- Arizona Legislature on child restraint system.
- Arizona City of Mesa on car seat laws.