Seatbelt and Child Restraint Laws in New Zealand

In New Zealand, every person travelling in a vehicle must wear a seatbelt if one is fitted. This applies to both front and rear seats. Wearing a seatbelt is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce serious injury or death in a crash.

Legal Requirements

• Seatbelts Must Be Worn: If a seating position has a seatbelt fitted, it must be used.
• Children Under 7 Years: Must be secured in an approved child restraint, such as a car seat or booster seat.
• Children Aged 7 Years: Must use an approved child restraint if one is available. If one is not available, they must wear a seatbelt.
• Children Aged 8 to 14 Years: Must wear a seatbelt if one is fitted and available.
• Children Under 15 Years: The driver is legally responsible for ensuring they are correctly restrained.
• Passengers Aged 15 and Over: Responsible for making sure they are wearing their own seatbelt correctly.

Best Practice for Children

Children are safest in an appropriate booster seat until they are 148cm tall, or until the adult seatbelt fits correctly across the shoulder and hips.

Vehicle Requirements

Most vehicles in New Zealand are fitted with seatbelts in the front and rear seats. If a seatbelt is fitted, it must be worn.

Fines and Penalties

A $150 infringement fine applies for each person who is not correctly restrained. If more than one person in the vehicle is not wearing a seatbelt or is incorrectly restrained, separate fines may apply for each person.

Every Trip, Every Seat, Every Time

Correct restraints save lives. Make sure everyone in the vehicle is buckled up before every journey.

Factsheet

For more information on child restraints please download this factsheet.

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