Seatbelts and Car Seats: Tickets, Fines and Demerit Points

In Ontario, every driver and passenger must wear a seatbelt, and children must be in the right car seat or booster seat for their age, weight and height.

Who is responsible

• Adults are responsible for wearing their own seatbelt.
• Drivers are responsible for passengers under 16, including children in car seats and booster seats.

Child seats, in short

1. Rear-facing seats for babies.
2. Forward-facing seats for toddlers who have outgrown rear-facing.
3. Booster seats until the child is big enough for the seatbelt to fit properly.

Always follow the seat maker's instructions and the province's guidelines.

The penalties

• A fine of $200 to $1,000 and 2 demerit points on conviction.

Got a ticket?

• Check the details: who was charged, and for which passenger.
• Request disclosure if you plan to dispute it.
• There may be exemptions, such as for some medical conditions with proper documentation.

Sources

• Highway Traffic Act
• Ontario: car seats and booster seats

Read next: Winter Driving in Ontario: Tickets, Tires and Who's at Fault

General Ontario legal information, not legal advice for your matter, and reading it does not create a retainer. Sources checked 15 October 2026: check the current law, forms and dates before you act.

Photos from Pexels: A car dashboard on an open road · A family walking together on a snowy day.

This article is general information for people in Ontario, not legal advice. Rules, forms and deadlines change, and every situation is different. Check the current rule or speak to a licensed legal professional before you act.