Alberta Car Seat Laws

You’ve likely heard that everything changes when you have a child, even your driving habits. You need to be extremely cautious while driving with an infant or young child on board if you want to keep them safe and out of harm's way. The most effective way that you can do this is by following your provincial government's car seat laws.

If you have a young child but aren't familiar with the Alberta car seat laws that are in place, you've come to the right article!

Today's post will go over everything that you need to know about Alberta's car seat rules and regulations.

Continue reading to learn more!

What is a car seat and why are they essential for young children?

A car seat is a protective chair that is made to safeguard infants, toddlers and young children during a major or minor car accident. 

Different types of car seats are best suited for children of various ages (more on this later). Choosing the right kind of car seat not only helps keep your child safe but also helps you follow the provincial car seat rules that are in place.

Please note that each Canadian province has its own rules and regulations regarding the usage of car seats. So, if you've recently moved to Alberta and would like to avoid breaking local restraint laws, it would be best if you learned the Alberta car seat laws that pertain to you.

Car seat rules Alberta drivers need to know

Have you and your family recently relocated to Alberta? Do you regularly drive with infants or young children?

If so, you should familiarize yourself with the following Alberta car seat laws:

Rear-facing car seat regulations Alberta drivers need to know

In the province of Alberta, rear-facing car seats are required under the following circumstances:

1. The driver is travelling with a new-born infant or children under the age of two

Or

1. The child exceeds the physical requirements for the rear-facing car seat (height, weight, etc. requirements as set by the manufacturer)

After your child exceeds the age of two or outgrows their rear-facing car seat, you can begin to transition them into a front-facing car seat.

Front-facing car seat regulations Alberta drivers need to know

According to the provincial laws in Alberta, your child will need a front-facing car seat under the following circumstances:

1. The child falls between the ages of two to six years old

Or

1. The child weighs more than 40 lbs (approximately 18 kg)

Once your child exceeds the weight and/or height limits of the rear-facing car seat, you can start looking for a new booster seat.

Booster seat regulations Alberta drivers need to know

Now that your child has outgrown their old rear-facing car seat, it's time to invest in a new booster seat.

Be sure to familiarize yourself with the following Alberta booster seat laws before hitting the road with your child:

1. The child needs to remain in the booster seat until they exceed the weight requirements (as set by the booster seat manufacturer)

Or

1. The child needs to remain in the booster seat until they exceed the height requirements (as set by the booster seat manufacturer)

*Please note that boost seats are not legally required in the province of Alberta, but they are highly suggested.*

Seat belt regulations Alberta drivers need to know

After your child has finally outgrown their booster seat, they are able to legally use a seat belt. 

Most children are ready to use a traditional seat belt after reaching the age of eight. However, some parents wait until their children reach the age of 12 before allowing them to use a seat belt (we suggest doing whatever makes you feel most comfortable as a parent).

If you're unsure if your child can use a seat belt or not, feel free to reference the following tips the next time your child needs to buckle up:

• Your child's knees bend around the edge of the seat easily
• The shoulder strap of the seat belt stretches across your child's chest comfortably and without obstructing their breathing
• The lap strap of the seat belt stretches across your child's hips, not their stomach or ribs

If you notice that your child isn’t physically comfortable in a traditional seat, it may be best for you to keep your child in a booster seat for the time being.

Four tips for buying a car seat for your child

Are you having a hard time finding the right car seat for your infant or toddler? 

The following tips can make your search quicker and easier:

• Purchase a car seat with the National Safety Mark to ensure quality and longevity
• Double-check that your child is within the height and weight requirements before committing to a purchase
• Avoid "freebies" from friends and family members, especially if the seat was ever in a collision
• Don’t forget to ask about the car seat’s return policy before making a purchase. If the car seat doesn't fit correctly, shopping at a store with a flexible return policy can make the returning process easier.

Save up to 25% on car insurance when you team up with a Surex advisor

Car seats aren't the only thing that you need to have if you want to keep your children safe on the road — you also need car insurance!

Although car insurance is legally required in Alberta, many drivers find that searching for quality car insurance quotes can be time-consuming. But, those drivers haven't teamed up with Surex.

At Surex, our main goal is to provide you with quality insurance quotes without the long wait times. When you reach out to a Surex insurance advisor over the phone or online, they can provide you with a collection of top-rated quotes in ten minutes or less!

So, what are you waiting for? Contact us today to learn how you can save up to 25% when you bundle multiple policies with one of our trusted insurance partners!

Want to learn more about driving in Alberta?

Are you the type of driver who constantly wants to learn about insurance, the rules of the road, etc.? 

Then be sure to visit the Surex blog!

Our blog is packed with valuable articles that go over complicated topics ranging from car insurance to home insurance (and everything in between!).