Seatbelts, child seats and phone laws in Saskatchewan

By the end of this topic you can

• You can explain who is responsible for each passenger's seatbelt.
• You can decide when a child needs a car seat or booster seat.
• You can state the phone rules for GDL and experienced drivers.
• You can describe the penalties for device use.

What you need to know and understand

• Every occupant must wear a properly adjusted seatbelt where one is provided.
• Drivers are responsible for passengers under 16. Passengers 16 and over are responsible for themselves.
• Children under seven must use an approved car seat or booster seat suited to their size.
• Holding, viewing or manipulating a hand-held phone while driving is illegal for every driver.
• GDL drivers may not use a phone at all, including hands-free.
• Any driver may call 9-1-1, or make a call while parked at the side of the road.
• A device offence carries 4 demerit points, and a seatbelt offence carries 3.

Buckling up correctly

Passengers are limited to the number of seatbelts for all GDL drivers. Airbags work with seatbelts and do not replace them.

1. Sit upright and well back in the seat.
2. Fasten the lap belt low and snug across your pelvis, not your stomach.
3. Adjust the shoulder belt across your chest. Never put it behind your back or under your arm.
4. Check that every passenger is buckled before you move off.

Children in the car

Children under seven must ride in a correctly installed, approved car seat or booster seat that fits their size, weight, height and age. This applies to everyone driving the child, including grandparents, caregivers, taxis and rideshares. SGI says most children are not protected by a seatbelt alone until about age seven and over 36 kg (80 lb). Children belong in the back seat, away from airbags, which can seriously injure or kill a small child.

Phones and screens

Under penalties set in 2020, a first distracted driving ticket was $580 plus 4 demerit points, with higher fines for repeat tickets within a year. Check current amounts with SGI. If you are caught using a device or driving without due care within 12 months of a conviction for either, the vehicle you are driving is impounded for seven days. Our guide to Saskatchewan speeding, stunting and distracted driving penalties covers this in more depth.

• GDL drivers (Learner, Novice 1 and Novice 2): no phone use of any kind while driving.
• Experienced drivers: hands-free only, such as voice-activated or one-touch devices mounted on the dash, visor or a cradle, or built-in Bluetooth.
• Everyone: 9-1-1 calls are allowed, and you can use your phone when parked at the side of the road.
• No driver may watch a TV, video or computer screen unless it only shows information to help you drive.

Other distractions

Eating, grooming, adjusting controls, chatting passengers and things outside the car all pull your attention. Set your music and navigation before you leave, and pull over safely if you need to deal with something.

Common mistakes

• Using a mounted hands-free phone as a novice. It is still illegal for GDL drivers.
• Moving a child out of a booster seat too early.
• Wearing the shoulder belt under the arm.
• Checking a message at a red light. You are still driving.

Test yourself: Seatbelts, child seats and phone laws in Saskatchewan

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Zero Tolerance for New Drivers in Saskatchewan
• Saskatchewan Novice 1 and Novice 2 Rules
• Saskatchewan Gravel and Grid Road Driving for New Drivers