Alabama Booster Seat Law (2026)

Alabama is upgraded to an official-source page because its booster requirement ends earlier than most states, at age 6 rather than 8, which surprises a lot of parents searching for the rule.

For 2026 checks, the direct answer is: rear-facing until 1 or 20 lb, forward-facing with a harness until 5 or 40 lb, booster until the 6th birthday, then a seat belt is required through age 14 under the same statute.

A bill introduced in the 2026 Regular Session (HB32) would escalate the fine for second, third, and later violations; it has not passed as of this review, so the flat $25 fine remains current law.

Rear-facing: an infant seat or convertible seat used rear-facing, required until the child reaches at least 1 year old or 20 pounds.

Forward-facing: a convertible seat in the forward position or a forward-facing seat, required until the child reaches at least 5 years old or 40 pounds.

Booster: required until the child's 6th birthday. Alabama's statute does not add a height or weight exception to this stage the way several other states do.

Seat belt: required from age 6 through 14, under the same statute (32-5-222(b)(4), "seat belts until 15 years of age").

Alabama Code 32-5-222(d) sets a flat $25 fine per offense. The trial judge may dismiss the charge and waive court costs if the driver shows proof of acquiring an appropriate restraint. Fifteen dollars of each fine collected funds a voucher program that helps lower-income families get a properly sized restraint.

A bill introduced in the 2026 Regular Session, HB32, would raise the fine for a second violation to $50, a third to $100, and a fourth or later to $150 within a five-year period. As of this page's review, HB32 had been introduced and referred to committee but had not been enacted, so the flat $25 fine remains current law. Check the bill's status before assuming an escalating fine applies.

Unlike Texas, California, Oklahoma, and several other states, Alabama's statute does not include a height threshold like 4'9" that lets a child under 8 skip the restraint requirement early. In Alabama, the booster stage ends purely on the 6th birthday.

The statute also says a failure to use a child passenger restraint may not be treated as contributory negligence, which matters for civil claims but does not change what a driver must do to avoid a citation.

Alabama Code 32-5-222(d) sets a fine of $25 for each offense, dismissible with no court costs on proof of acquiring an appropriate restraint. A pending bill (HB32, 2026 Regular Session) would raise the fine for repeat violations to $50, $100, and $150, but as of this page's review it had not been enacted.

The base fine is $25 regardless of how many children are unrestrained in a single stop, based on the statute's wording ("for each offense"), though enforcement details can vary by court.

No. Alabama Code 32-5-222 sets restraint requirements for children through age 14; there is no adult provision. A viral notice claiming Alabama requires adults under a certain height to use booster seats is not this law; see the adult booster seat law fact check. Searches using the phrase "adult booster seat" usually mean the point when a child can move from a booster to the adult seat belt.

Not sure which type fits your child? Use the seat finder — enter age, height, and weight to see the stage and a matching seat.