What are Arizona's car seat and booster seat requirements?

Question

Accepted Answer

Arizona requires a child restraint system for any child under five years of age.

Children who are at least five years old, under eight years old, and not more than four feet nine inches tall must also be restrained in a child restraint system.  For this older group, the operator duty applies to motor vehicles designed for carrying ten or fewer passengers, manufactured for model year 1972 and thereafter, and required to be equipped with a lap and shoulder belt or lap belt under federal motor vehicle safety standards.

Additional details:

- A "child restraint system" includes an add-on child restraint system, a built-in or factory-installed built-in system, a rear-facing child restraint system, or a booster seat, as defined in 49 Code of Federal Regulations section 571.213, and systems must meet that federal standard's performance, design, and installation requirements. 
- A violation carries a civil penalty of $50, but no penalty is imposed if the person sufficiently shows the vehicle was subsequently equipped with a compliant child restraint system — for example, by mailing a receipt evidencing purchase or acquisition to the appropriate court officer. 
- Exemptions include, among others, vehicles originally manufactured without passenger restraint devices, recreational vehicles, commercial motor vehicle operators with a current commercial driver license, emergency transport to obtain necessary medical care, authorized emergency vehicles transporting a child for medical care, and certain situations where a vehicle's restricted passenger area cannot fit the required number of restraint systems (if at least one child is properly restrained and as many others as reasonable are secured). 
- If an officer stops a vehicle for an apparent violation, the officer must determine the child's age and height from the driver, and a stop for this violation is not probable cause to search the vehicle unless probable cause exists for another violation. 
- Before a newborn is released from a hospital, the hospital and attending physician must give the parents a copy of this law and information about any community loaner or rental programs for child restraint systems, and indigent persons may borrow a restraint system at no charge through a responsible agency, subject to availability.

For questions about how these requirements apply to a specific situation, consult a licensed Arizona attorney.