N.D. Cent. Code § 39-21-41.2 (2026)

1. If a child, under eight years of age, is present in a motor vehicle, that motor vehicle must be equipped with at least one child restraint system for the child. However, a child under the age of eight who is at least fifty-seven inches [1.45 meters] tall is not required to use a child restraint system, but must be correctly buckled in a safety belt. The child restraint system must meet the standards adopted by the United States department of transportation for those systems [49 CFR 571.213]. While the motor vehicle is in motion, the child must be properly secured in the child restraint system in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. While the motor vehicle is moving, each child of eight through seventeen years of age who is in the motor vehicle must be in an approved child restraint system in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions or correctly buckled in a safety belt. Use of child restraint systems and safety belts is not required in motor vehicles that were not equipped with safety belts when manufactured. If a child is being transported in an emergency situation, this section does not apply.

2. Violation of this section is not, in itself, evidence of negligence. The fact of a violation of this section is not admissible in any proceeding other than one charging the violation.