Seat Belts and Car Seats
Ala. Code § 32-5B-4 — a belt for every occupant, and a child seat or booster until 6
Every occupant of a passenger car made with seat belts wears one properly fastened at all times when the car is moving, and an adult occupant is the one charged for their own belt. Outside the front seat, a missing belt is a secondary violation, charged only after a lawful stop for another violation.
Who handles this in Alabama: Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Alabama directory.
A seat belt violation may be fined up to $25. It is not probable cause to search the vehicle, it does not go on the driving record, and not wearing a belt is not evidence of contributory negligence.
| The child | The restraint |
|---|---|
| The childUntil at least one year of age or 20 pounds | The restraintAn infant seat, or a convertible seat facing the rear |
| The childUntil at least five years of age or 40 pounds | The restraintA convertible seat facing forward, or a forward facing seat |
| The childUntil six years of age | The restraintA booster seat |
| The childUntil 15 years of age | The restraintA seat belt |
A person who does not use the right child restraint may be fined $25 for each offense. The judge may dismiss the charge, with no court costs, on proof that a proper restraint was acquired.
- The belt rule does not cover someone with a physician's written statement that they cannot wear one for medical reasons.
- It does not cover a rural mail carrier on duty, or someone delivering newspapers or mail house to house.
- It does not cover passengers in a car older than model year 1965.
Sources for this section (4)
- Ala. Code § 32-5B-4 — Safety Belt Requirements for Occupants of Passenger Cars; Exemptions
- Ala. Code § 32-5-222 — Requirements for Child Passenger Restraints
- Ala. Code § 32-5B-5 — Penalty for Violations of Chapter
- Ala. Code § 32-5B-7 — Failure to Wear Safety Belt; Not Evidence of Contributory Negligence; Liability of Insurer Not Limited; Driving Record of Individual Charged
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Alabama attorney.