Seatbelts: everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt, and the driver is responsible for ensuring passengers under 16 are buckled in.
Child car seats (driver’s legal responsibility for children under 8):
- Rear-facing seat: for infants up to about 9 kg (20 lb) — keep a child rear-facing as long as the seat allows.
- Forward-facing seat: roughly 9–18 kg (20–40 lb).
- Booster seat: for children under 8, roughly 18–36 kg (40–80 lb) and under about 145 cm (4’9”), used with a lap/shoulder belt.
- A child can move to a seatbelt alone once they turn 8, reach about 36 kg (80 lb), or reach about 145 cm — whichever comes first.
- Children under 13 are safest in the back seat.
Equipment: a seat sold in Canada must carry the National Safety Mark. Keep seats, mirrors, lights, and wipers in good working order — equipment violations can result in fines and, for some offences, demerit points.
These weight/height figures can change — always confirm current numbers at ontario.ca before buying or installing a seat.