Child Car Seat Information

Arizona law requires that children in vehicles must be properly restrained. Title 28 of Arizona Revised Statutes covers Transportation laws. See below regarding statutes that apply to child restraints.

ARS 28-907 (A)
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.

ARS 28-907 (B)
The operator of a motor vehicle that is designed for carrying ten or fewer passengers, 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.

ARS 28-907 (D)
A person who violates this section is subject to a civil penalty of fifty dollars, except that a civil penalty shall not be imposed if the person makes a sufficient showing that the motor vehicle has been subsequently equipped with a child restraint system that meets the standards adopted pursuant to this section.

ARS 28-907 (H)
The following situations are exempt from this law:

  • A person who operates a motor vehicle that was originally manufactured without passenger restraint devices (prior to 1972).
  • recreational vehicles defined in section 41-4001
  • public transportation
  • buses
  • school buses
  • A person who transports more than one child under eight years of age in a motor vehicle that, because of the restricted size of the passenger area, does not provide sufficient area for the required number of child restraint systems, if both of the following conditions are met: (a) At least one child is restrained or seated as required by this section; (b) The person has secured as many of the other children in child restraint systems pursuant to this section as is reasonable given the restricted size of the passenger area and the number of passengers being transported in the motor vehicle.

Infant Seats

(Birth to age 1 , designed for children from 7 - 20 pounds)
Infants should be in a reclined infant car seat, or convertible seat, in the infant position to protect the delicate neck and head. All straps should be pulled snugly. The car seat must face the rear of the car and should never be used in a front seat where there is an air bag. The infant must face the rear so that in the event of a crash, swerve, or sudden stop, the infant's back and shoulders can better absorb the impact. Household infant carriers and cloth carriers are not designed to protect an infant in a car and should never be used.

Convertible Seats

(7 - 40 Pounds)
The convertible car seat is placed in a reclined rear-facing position. After children reach at least 1 year and 20 pounds, the convertible seat can be turned forward and placed in the upright position in the back seat of the vehicle.

Booster Seats

(40 - 60 Pounds)
When a child reaches about 40 pounds they will outgrow the convertible seat. Either a belt positioning (backless) or high-back booster seat can be used with a lap/shoulder belt in the back seat of the vehicle.

Buckle Up, Baby Campaign

If you see a vehicle transporting a child under the age of 8 who is not properly restrained, you are encouraged to call the "Buckle Up, Baby" hotline: 1-800-505-BABY. When calling, leave the following information:

  1. Vehicle license number and state
  2. Where the vehicle was seen
  3. Where the child was sitting in the vehicle
The purpose of the program is not to punish, but rather to inform. When the Police Department receives this information from you, they will send a packet of information to the owner of the vehicle. The materials describe the hazards of transporting unrestrained children under the age of 8, and encourages the owner to purchase a child restraint system. No one else is notified, and the car owner doesn't get in any trouble and is not fined. It is hoped that they will use the information to obtain the proper equipment for the vehicle and the child.

Training Sessions

Arizona participates in the program Children Are Priceless Passengers whereby for a small fee you can attend a training session on child seat safety. The C.A.P.P. Program offers child safety seat classes at locations around the Valley. Classes are instructed by NHTSA certified technicians. If you have received a citation for not having your child properly restrained, you may have some, or all of the violation, removed after attending the class. Sessions are available in English and Spanish. Visit Children Are Priceless Passengers to find a training location near you.