Traffic Safety · Car Seat & Booster
Car Seat & Booster Laws in Alaska
When your child can move from a booster to a seat belt in Alaska, plus rear-facing, front-seat, and the fine, with the law kept separate from best practice.
Prefer a quick check? Run your child's age, height, and weight through the Alaska car seat checker →
Check your child's stage in Alaska
Enter age, height, and weight. We show the Alaska law separately from best practice.
4′9″ = 57 in. Enter only the boxes you have; this state uses required while over 4 AND under 8 AND under 4′9″ AND under 65 lb; reaching age 8, 4′9″, or 65 lb exits.
Educational guide to the minimum legal requirement, not legal or safety advice. Best practice is often stricter than the law. Always follow your car seat’s manufacturer instructions, and confirm the current rule with the official source below (last reviewed 2026-07-11).
The four stages in Alaska
Each rung is tagged Law or best practice.
A child under 1 year of age, or age 1 or older who weighs less than 20 pounds, must ride in a rear-facing child safety seat. Alaska codifies the rear-facing stage, so this is law.
A child age 1 up to 4 who weighs 20 pounds or more must be secured in a child restraint device (a forward-facing harness seat). The statute sets this stage by age and weight.
A child over 4 but under 8 who is under 57 inches (4′9″) tall and weighs 20 to under 65 pounds must ride in a booster seat. Reaching age 8, 4′9″, or 65 pounds ends the booster requirement.
Exit rule: required while over 4 AND under 8 AND under 4′9″ AND under 65 lb; reaching age 8, 4′9″, or 65 lb exits. The adult belt must fit — lap low across the hips, shoulder belt across the chest.
Front seat, the fine & the source
Seating rule, the exact booster logic, and any recent change.
Alaska’s statute does not require children to ride in the rear seat. NHTSA recommends keeping children under 13 in the back seat, but that is guidance, not Alaska law.
| Booster exit logic | Age 8 or 4′9″ — whichever first |
| Seat belt OK | At age 8, or once the child reaches 4′9″ or 65 lb |
| First-offense fine | Up to $50 A child-restraint violation is an infraction fined up to $50 (AS 28.05.099). If the driver shows proof of buying and installing an approved device within 30 days of the citation, the court dismisses it and assesses no points. |
| Statute | AS 28.05.095 |
What Alaska parents get wrong
Alaska legislates every stage of the ladder, including a booster rule that stacks three factors. Under AS 28.05.095 a child rides rear-facing until age 1 or 20 pounds, then in a forward-facing child restraint from age 1 to 4, then in a booster while over 4 and under 8 AND shorter than 4′9″ AND under 65 pounds. Because the booster window closes when the child reaches age 8, 4′9″, or 65 pounds, a taller or heavier child can move to a belt before 8. Alaska does not require a back-seat position for children. The fine reaches $50, but there is a real off-ramp: buy and install an approved seat and show proof within 30 days, and the court dismisses the citation with no points.
Common questions
When can a child stop using a booster in Alaska?
When the child reaches age 8, 4′9″ (57 inches), or 65 pounds, whichever comes first. Alaska requires a booster while a child is over 4 and under 8 AND under 4′9″ AND under 65 pounds.
Does Alaska require rear-facing car seats by age?
Yes. Alaska law requires a rear-facing seat for a child under 1 year, or age 1 or older who weighs under 20 pounds. This is codified, not just best practice.
Do children have to ride in the back seat in Alaska?
No. Alaska’s statute does not require a rear-seat position. NHTSA recommends the back seat for children under 13, but that is a recommendation, not state law.
What is the fine for a car-seat violation in Alaska?
Up to $50. If you buy and install an approved seat and show proof within 30 days of the citation, the court dismisses it and assesses no points.
Not legal advicePlainStatute provides plain-language summaries of public law for general information only. This is not legal advice. Statutes change; always confirm current requirements with the official source linked above before acting.