Vehicle equipment, seat belts and child seats

Key points

1. Each front seat occupant must wear a properly adjusted and fastened belt while the vehicle moves.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “Each front seat occupant of a motor vehicle per federal and state motor vehicle safety standards must either: • Have the lap and shoulder belt properly adjusted and fastened while the vehicle is in motion”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 19

2. The driver must make all passengers under 16 buckle up.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “The operator of a motor vehicle must require all passengers under the age of 16 years to buckle up.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 19

3. A child under 8 must be secured in a child passenger restraint system.

   Source: Handbook p. 22

   “A child less than 8 years old must be properly secured in a child passenger restraint system while being transported in a vehicle in this state.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 22

4. Children 12 and under should never ride in the front seat.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “Children age 12 years and under should never ride in the front seat of a car.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 20

5. Cars and trucks need a foot brake and a parking brake, each working on at least 2 wheels.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “Cars and trucks must have both a foot brake and a parking brake. Each set of brakes must apply to at least two wheels.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 21

6. Your horn must be heard from 200 feet.

   Source: Handbook p. 22

   “A working horn that can be heard for 200 feet is required on your vehicle.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 22

7. A vehicle whose rear view is blocked needs an outside driver side mirror showing 200 feet behind.

   Source: Handbook p. 22

   “must have at least one outside driver side mirror that shows the view of the highway for at least 200 feet to the rear.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 22

8. Muffler cut outs, bypasses and similar devices are illegal.

   Source: Handbook p. 22

   “It is against the law to use a muffler “cut-out,” bypass or similar device.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 22

9. Vehicles from the 1967 model year on must have an exhaust emissions system.

   Source: Handbook p. 22

   “Motor vehicles of 1967 model year and newer must be equipped with an exhaust emissions system to help reduce air pollution.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 22

10. You need a windshield without cracks and working wipers.

    Source: Handbook p. 22

    “Vehicles must have a windshield (without cracks and windshield wipers that are in good working condition.”
    Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 22

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Arizona practice test

1. 1. Under what age must a child in Arizona ride in a child passenger restraint system?

   1. Less than 8 years old
   2. Less than 4 years old
   3. Less than 12 years old
   4. Less than 2 years old
   Show answer

   Less than 8 years old. A child less than 8 years old must be properly secured in a child passenger restraint system while being transported in a vehicle in Arizona. The seat must meet Department of Transportation safety standards and be used according to the seat maker's and the vehicle maker's instructions. If a child must ride in front, turn the passenger side air bag off where the vehicle has a switch.

2. 2. What does Arizona require of a vehicle's muffler?

   1. It may be removed for racing
   2. It is optional on vehicles older than 1967
   3. It must be replaced every year
   4. It must be in good working condition and in constant operation to prevent excessive pollution or unusual noise
   Show answer

   It must be in good working condition and in constant operation to prevent excessive pollution or unusual noise. Every motor vehicle must have a muffler in good working condition and in constant operation to prevent excessive pollution or unusual noise. Cutouts and bypasses that let exhaust skip the muffler are illegal on public roads. Vehicles of the 1967 model year and newer must also have an exhaust emissions system, and the vehicle needs a windshield without cracks and working wipers.

3. 3. Beginning with which model year must Arizona vehicles have an exhaust emissions system?

   1. 1955 and newer
   2. 1980 and newer
   3. 2000 and newer
   4. 1967 and newer
   Show answer

   1967 and newer. Motor vehicles of the 1967 model year and newer must be equipped with an exhaust emissions system to help reduce air pollution. Removing or disabling the system is illegal even if the vehicle seems to run fine. Along with the emissions system, every vehicle needs a working muffler in constant operation, and cracked windshields and worn wipers are equipment violations.

Source: the Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Section 1: Before You Drive. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.