What are the seat belt laws in Arizona?

Every state has its own seat belt laws. While they are often fairly consistent across borders, this can lead to some confusion for tourists and those who only live in Arizona for part of the year. It’s also difficult for those who have moved permanently from another state to adjust their thinking if the laws are different.

With all of that in mind, let’s take a look at Arizona’s seat belt laws to make sure you know exactly what is expected of you.

If you are in the front seat of a car or truck built from 1972 through the present, you have to have a seat belt on while driving or riding. There are no exceptions to this part of the rule.

If you are in the back seat, you need to wear a seat belt if you are under 16 years old. If you are older than 16, you have the choice. The age limit only applies to the back seat, not the front.

Here’s another important note: The police can’t stop you if they see that you don’t have a belt on. It is a secondary offense, not a primary offense. It does not warrant a traffic stop. If they pull you over for speeding, though, and then see that you do not have your belt on, that’s legal. They can give you a ticket for the belt violation.

Do you think that you were pulled over illegally, just because you didn’t wear a seat belt? Or were you accused of not having yours on when you actually did? If so, make sure you know what defense options you have.