Buckling up your child isn't just about safety; it's the law. But if you've ever crossed state lines with little ones in tow, you know the "law" isn't always so easy to keep up with. Navigating this intricate web of rules can be daunting for any parent. We want it to be simple. So we compiled cliff notes on your state and some links to the regulations below .
Since the laws are the minimum requirements for safety and not necessarily the 'best', we included some general guidelines to make sure your most precious cargo is treated as such.
GENERAL CAR SEAT GUIDELINES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
While car seat regulations can vary depending on where you live, your child's safety in the car is important everywhere you are. Here are some general guidelines for keeping your most important cargo secure and safe.
Always follow the manufacturer instructions for your seat
Use either LATCH or seat belt to install the seat, but not both. The installation should move less than 1".
Keep your child rear‑facing as long as possible, ideally until they reach the seats maximum size limits.
Same for the 5-point harness
Utilize the 5‑step booster test (lap belt low on hips, shoulder belt on shoulder, knees bend edge of seat, feet flat, child stays seated for the entire ride)
Register your seat and check for recalls
Always replace after a crash (We recommend referencing the 5-point checklist from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that defines a minor crash where a seat may not need replacement. If a crash does not meet all five criteria, the seat must be replaced.)
Always replace a car seat if expired.
Avoid jackets and other bulky clothing in the car seat
State-by-State
Alabama Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Until 1 year old or 20 lbs (best practice: until age 2+ or outgrown limits).
Forward-Facing (Harnessed): From 1 year/20 lbs until age 5 or40 lbs.
Booster Seat: From age 5 or 40 lbs until age 6.
Seat Belt: From age 6 until 15 years.
https://www.alea.gov/dps/highway-patrol/child-restraints-law
Alaska Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Children under 1 year or under 20 lbs.
Forward-Facing (Harnessed): Children 1 up to 5 years AND over 20 lbs.
Booster Seat: Children over 4 to less than 8 years old, under 65 lbs AND under 57 inches tall.
Seat Belt: Children eight years of age but less than 16 years of age who don't meet the height and weight requirements for a booster seat (i.e., they are not less than 57 inches tall AND less than 65 pounds) must be properly secured in an appropriate child safety device or a safety belt. All occupants 16 years of age or older are required to wear seat belts.
Arizona Car Seat Laws
Children Under 5 Years Old: Must be properly secured in a child restraint system as appropriate for the child's size and the seat's manufacturer instructions.
Children Under 8 Years Old AND Under 4'9" Tall: Must be properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system or booster seat.
https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=http://www.azleg.gov/ars/28/00907.htm
Arkansas Car Seat Laws
Children Under 6 Years Old and Under 60 Pounds: Must be restrained in a child passenger safety seat that is properly secured to the vehicle and meets applicable federal standards.
Children 6 Years Old or 60 Pounds and Over (Up to 15 Years Old): A safety belt properly secured to the vehicle is sufficient to meet the requirements.
Children Under 15 Years Old: All children under 15 years of age must be properly secured in a child passenger restraint system or seat belt, regardless of where they are seated in the vehicle.
California Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Children under 2 years old (unless 40 lbs or more OR over 40 inches tall) must be rear-facing in a rear seat following manufacturer instructions for use.
Child Safety Seat/Booster: Children under 8 years old must be in a child safety seat or booster seat in the back seat.
Seat Belt: Children 8 years or older OR at least 57 inches tall must at a minimum be secured by a seat belt.
https://www.chp.ca.gov/programs-services/programs/child-safety-seats
Colorado Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Children under 2 years old AND weighing less than 40 lbs in the back seat.
Rear or Forward-Facing: Children 2 -4 years old AND weighing at least 20 lbs (or under 2 and over 40 lbs) may use a rear or forward-facing child restraint in the back seat
Child Restraint/Booster: Children 4-9 years old must be properly secured in a child restraint system (e.g., booster seat) according to manufacturer instructions.
Seat Belt: Children 9 - 18 years old must be properly restrained by a seat belt.
https://www.codot.gov/safety/carseats/colorado-child-passenger-safety-law-1
Connecticut Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Children under 2 years old OR weighing less than 30 lbs.
Child Restraint (5-point harness): Children 2-5 years old OR weighing less than 40 lbs.
Booster Seat/5-point Harness: Children 5-8 years old OR weighing between 40-60 lbs (booster must use lap and shoulder belt).
Seat Belt: Children 8 years or older AND weighing 60 lbs or more (seat belt or booster seat) .
https://portal.ct.gov/dmv/resources/child-passenger-safety?language=en_US
Delaware Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Children under 2 years old AND 30 lbs.
Harnessed Car Seat: Children under 4 years old AND 40 lbs.
Booster Seat: Children until reaching manufacturer's height or weight maximum (no booster with a height maximum lower than 4'4").
District of Columbia Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Children under 2 years old OR under 40 lbs OR under 40 inches tall.
Forward-Facing: Children 2-3 years old AND under 30 lbs in the back seat.
Child Restraint/Booster: Children under 8 years old AND under 57 inches tall must be in a child restraint or booster seat in the back seat.
Seat Belt: Children over 8 and under 16 years old.
https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/50-1703
Florida Car Seat Laws
Child Restraint (General): Children 5 years old or younger must be in a child restraint system.
Seat Belt: Children 6 years or older.
Georgia Car Seat Laws
Child Safety Seat (General): Children 8 years of age and younger AND 57 inches or shorter must be in a child safety seat (in the rear seat, if available).
Hawaii Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Infants under 2 years old.
Rear/Forward-Facing: Children 2 years old but under 4 years old.
Child Safety Seat/Booster: Children 4 years old but under 10 years old (unless over 4'9" tall).
Seat Belt: 7-9 yrs, and over 4'9" or 10+ yrs
Rear Seat: Children should ride in the back seat until at least 13 years old.
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/vol05_ch0261-0319/hrs0291/hrs_0291-0011_0005.htm
Idaho Car Seat Laws
Appropriate Child Safety Restraint: Children under 7 must be properly secured in an appropriate child safety restraint.
Seat Belt: 7 years and older
https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/title49/t49ch6/sect49-672/
Illinois Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Children under 2 years old, unless 40 lbs or heavier or 40″ or taller.
Child Restraint (unspecified): All children under 8 must be properly restrained in an appropriate child restraint system.
Seat Belt: 8-15 yrs, or over 40 lbs
https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Articles?ActID=1819&ChapterID=49
Indiana Car Seat Laws
Child Restraint (General): All children under 8 must be properly restrained in a child safety seat or booster seat according to manufacturer's instructions.
Seat Belt: 8-15 yrs, or 40 lbs or heavier (can use lap belt if lap/shoulder belt unavailable in rear seat)
Iowa Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Children under 1 year old AND less than 20 lbs.
Child Restraint (General): All children under 6 must be in a child restraint system (car seat or booster).
Seat Belt: Children 6-17 years of age must be restrained with a seat belt
Kansas Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Children under 1 year old AND 20 lbs.
Forward-Facing (Harnessed): Children ages 1-up to age 4.
Booster Seat: Children ages 4-7 (unless over 80 lbs, taller than 4'9", or only lap belt available).
Seat Belt: Children ages 8-13.
https://kansashighwaypatrol.gov/about-us/child-passenger-safety/
Kentucky Car Seat Laws
Child Restraint (General): Children less than 40 inches tall must be properly installed in a car seat.
Booster Seat: Children younger than 8 years old AND between 40-57 inches tall.
Seat Belt: Over 57 inches tall
https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=45204
Louisiana Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Birth to at least 2 years old until weight or height limit reached.
Forward-Facing (Harnessed): At least 2 years old to 4 years old (or outgrown by height/weight).
Booster Seat: At least 4 years old (and outgrown forward-facing) to 9 years old
Seat Belt: 9 years old or has outgrown booster and passes 5-step test.
Rear Seat: Children younger than 13 years old should ride in the rear seat when available.
Maine Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Children must ride rear-facing until they turn 2 years of age (unless exceeding manufacturer limits).
Harnessed Child Restraint: Children who weigh 55 lbs or less must ride in a federally approved five-point harness system.
Booster Seat: Children who weigh less than 80 lbs, are less than 4'9" in height, AND are less than 8 years of age.
https://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/29-a/title29-asec2081.html
Maryland Car Seat Laws
Child Safety Seat (General): Children under 8 years old must be in a child safety seat (rear-facing, forward-facing, or booster) unless they are 4'9" or taller.
Rear-Facing: Children under 2 years old must be secured in a rear-facing seat until they reach the weight or height limit specified by the manufacturer.
Seat Belt: Children 8-under 16 years old, or under 8 years old and over 57 inches tall.
Massachusetts Car Seat Laws
Child Restraint (General): Children under 8 years old and under 57 inches tall must be in a child passenger restraint.
Seat Belt: Children 8-12 years old OR 57 inches or taller.
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter90/Section7AA
Michigan Car Seat Laws
Rear Seat: Children must be secured in a rear-facing child restraint system until age 2 or the child reaches the weight or height limit of the child restraint system.
Forward Facing: Children at least age 2 or who outgrew the rear-facing restraint by weight or height, must be restrained in a forward-facing child restraint system with internal harness until age 5 or the child reaches the weight or height limit of the forward facing child restraint.
Seat Belt: Children 8-15 years old OR 57 inches or taller.
Booster Seat: Children age 5 or the weight/height limit of forward restraint must be restrained in a belt-positioning booster seat with lap-shoulder seat belt until the child is at least age 8 or at least 4’9″ tall.
Children age 8 or at least 4’9″ tall but not yet 13 need to be restrained in a properly adjusted seat belt or in a belt-positioning booster seat, if the child still fits manufacturer’s specifications.
Children ages 13 to 16 must be properly secured in a seatbelt.
https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=MCL-257-710D
Minnesota Car Seat Laws
Child Restraint (General): Children 7 years old or younger AND under 57 inches tall must be in a child restraint system.
Rear-Facing: All children under age 2 must be seated in a rear-facing seat with an internal harness until the child reaches the weight or height limit of the child passenger restraint system.
Forward Facing: Children at least 2 years and exceeding the rear-facing weight or height limit of the child passenger restraint system must be properly restrained in a forward-facing child passenger restraint system
Booster Seat: 4 years and older and exceeding the weight and height limit of the forward-facing child passenger restraint system
Seat Belt: Then children at least 9 years of age who exceed the weight or height limit of the child passenger restraint system
Mississippi Car Seat Laws
Child Restraint (General): Children under 4 years old.
Booster Seat: Children 4- less than 7 years old and under 57 inches tall or under 65 lbs.
Seat Belt: Children 7 years old OR 57 inches and taller OR 65 lbs or heavier.
Missouri Car Seat Laws
Child Restraint (General): Children 0-less than 4 years old and less than 40 inches tall.
Child Restraint/Booster: Children 4-7 years old and between 40-80 lbs and under 57 inches tall.
Seat Belt: Children at least eighty pounds or children more than four feet, nine inches in height
https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=307.179&bid=16508&hl=
Montana Car Seat Laws
Child Restraint (General): Children under 6 years old and under 60 lbs.
Seat Belt: Children 6 years and older and 60 lbs and heavier.
https://law.justia.com/codes/montana/2022/title-61/chapter-9/part-4/section-61-9-420/
Nebraska Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Children under 2 years old until they reach the height or weight limit of the car seat.
Child Restraint (General): Children under 8 years old must be in an appropriate child restraint system.
Seat Belt: Children 8-18 years old.
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=60-6,267
Nevada Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Children under 2 years old
Child Restraint (General): Children under 6 years old AND weighing less than 60 lbs must be in a child restraint system.
Booster Seat: Children 6 years old OR 60 lbs or more.
New Hampshire Car Seat Laws
Child Restraint (General): Children under 7 years old AND under 57 inches tall must be in a child safety seat or booster seat.
Rear Facing: Children up to two years of age
Seat Belt: Children 7-18 years old, or under 7 years old and 57 inches or taller.
New Jersey Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Children under 2 years old AND under 30 lbs, equipped with a 5-point harness
Forward-Facing (Harnessed): Children under 4 years old AND under 40 lbs until they reach height/weight limit.
Booster Seat: Children under 8 years old AND under 57 inches tall until height/weight limit reached.
Seat Belt: Children 8 years old OR 57 inches or taller.
Rear Seat: Children under 8 and less than 57 inches must ride in the back seat.
https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/2015/title-39/section-39-3-76.2a
New Mexico Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Children under 1 year old (in a rear seat, if available).
Forward-Facing (Harnessed): Children 1-4 years old OR under 40 lbs.
Booster Seat: Children 5-6 years old OR under 60 lbs.
Seat Belt: Children 7- up to 18 years old.
https://www.nmlegis.gov/sessions/13%20Regular/bills/house/HB0116.html
New York Car Seat Laws
Child Restraint (General): Children under 8 years old must be in an appropriate child restraint system.
Rear-Facing: Children under 2 years old unless exceeds weight/heigh limits
Forward-Facing (Harnessed)/Booster: Children 4-7 years old should use a car seat or booster seat.
Seat Belt: Children 8 years old through 16 years old, or more than 40 lbs.
https://dmv.ny.gov/more-info/safety-restraints
North Carolina Car Seat Laws
Child Restraint (General): Children under 8 years old AND under 80 lbs must be in a weight appropriate child restraint system.
Seat Belt: Children 8 or older or over 80 lbs
Rear Seat: If there is a passenger side airbag, children under 5 and less than 40 lbs must be in the back seat.
https://www.buckleupnc.org/laws/child-passenger-safety-law-summary/
North Dakota Car Seat Laws
Child Restraint (General): Children under 8 years old or under 57 inches tall must be in an appropriate child restraint system.
Seat Belt: Children ages 8- under 18
Ohio Car Seat Laws
Child Restraint (General): Children under 4 years old or less than 40 lbs must be in a car seat.
Booster Seat: Children under 8 years old or less than 4'9" tall must be in a booster seat.
Seat Belt : Children 8 - 15 must be in an approved child restraint system or seat belt
Oklahoma Car Seat Laws
Child Restraint (General): All children under 4 years old must be secured in a child passenger restraint system. Children under 8 years old must be in a child passenger restraint system, unless they are 4'9" or taller.
Rear-Facing: Children under 2 years old
Booster Seat: Children from 4 to 8 years of age who are less than 4’9” tall must be in a booster seat or approved child restraint system
Seat Belt: Children who are 8 or older or taller than 4’9” need to be restrained with a seat belt.
https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=438589
Oregon Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Children under 2 years old or under 20 lbs
General Restraint System: Children who weigh less than 40lbs must be properly secured with a child safety system that meets the minimum standards established by the DOT ORS 815.055 for child safety systems designed for children weighing less than 40lbs.
Booster Seat or seat belt: Children who weigh more than 40 pounds and are 4’9″ or shorter must be properly secured with a child safety system that elevates the person so that a safety belt or safety harness properly fits the person.
Rear Seat: Children must ride in the back seat if under 40 lbs.
https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors811.html
Pennsylvania Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Children under 2 years old (until outgrowing limits).
Child Safety Seat (General): Children under 4 years old.
Booster Seat: Children 4-8 years old.
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/75/00.045.081.000..HTM
Rhode Island Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Children under 2 years old or less than 30 lbs.
Forward-Facing (Harnessed): All children 2+ or who have outgrown their rear-facing car seat by height or weight should use a forward-facing car seat with a harness up the maximum allowed by the child restraint manufacturer.
Seat Belt: Children 8 years old OR 80 lbs OR 57 inches tall.
Rear Seat: Children younger than 8 and shorter than 57 inches tall must sit in the back seat.
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText17/HouseText17/H5456.pdf
South Carolina Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Children under 2 years old until the child exceeds the height or weight limit allowed by the manufacturer of the child restraint being used.
Forward -Facing: Children 2+, or under if they’ve outgrown their rear-facing seat, must be secured in a forward-facing child passenger restraint system with a harness until the child exceeds the height or weight limit allowed by the manufacturer.
Booster Seat: A child at least 4 years old who has outgrown their forward-facing child passenger restraint system seat
Child Restraint (General): Children under 8 years old must be in an appropriate child restraint system unless 4'9" or taller.
South Dakota Car Seat Laws
Child Restraint (General): Children under 5 years of age shall be properly secured in a federally approved child restraint system according to manufacturer’s instructions
Tennessee Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Children under 1 year old or 20 lbs
Forward-Facing (Harnessed): Children 1-3 years old and 40 - lbs.
Booster Seat: Children 4-8 years old and 40-79 lbs or under 4'9" tall.
Seat Belt: Children 9 years old or 4'9" tall.
Front Seat: Children must be at least 9 years old and 4'9" tall to legally sit in the front seat. Children should sit in the back until age 13.
https://www.tn.gov/safety/publicsafety/newcrd.html
Texas Car Seat Laws
Child Passenger Safety Seat (General): Children under 8 years old OR under 4'9" tall must be in a child passenger safety seat system.
http://txdot.gov/en/home/safety/traffic-safety-campaigns/child-passenger-safety.html
Utah Car Seat Laws
General Child Safety Seat/Booster Seat: Children up to 9 years old must be restrained by using a child restraint device to restrain each person in the manner prescribed by the manufacturer of the device
https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title41/Chapter6a/41-6a-S1803.html
Vermont Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Children under age 2 must be properly secured in a rear-facing child restraint with a harness.
Forward-Facing: Children under age 5 who are not properly restrained in a rear-facing child restraint must be properly restrained in a forward-facing child restraint with a harness until the child reaches the weight or height limit of the restraint.
Booster Seat: Children 5 then up to age 8
Seat Belt: Children under age 18 who are not properly secured as mentioned above must be restrained with the seat belt.
https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/23/013/01258
Virginia Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Children until 2 years old (or outgrowing limits).
Child Restraint (General): Children through age 7 must be in a child restraint device.
Seat Belt: Children 8 - 18
Washington Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Until age 2 or until they meet manufacturer's maximum height or weight limit.
Forward-Facing (Harnessed): Until age 4 or child meets manufacturer's maximum height or weight limit.
Booster Seat: Until child is at least 4'9"
West Virginia Car Seat Laws
Child Passenger Safety Device (General): Children under 8 years old AND shorter than 4'9".
https://code.wvlegislature.gov/17C-15-46/
Wisconsin Car Seat Laws
Rear-Facing: Children until 1 year old AND 20 lbs
Forward-Facing/Rear-Facing: Children who are at least one year and weighs at least 20 pounds but is less than 4 years old or weighs less than 40 pounds
Child Safety Seat/Booster: Children who are at least 4 years old and at least 40 pounds but less than 8 years old and weighs less than 80 pounds and is not more than 57 inches tall shall be properly restrained
Seat Belt: Children may remain in a booster seat until the seat belt fits properly which is typically between the ages of 8 and 12.
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/347/III/48
Wyoming Car Seat Laws
Child Safety Restraint System (General): Children under 9 years old.
https://law.justia.com/codes/wyoming/2022/title-31/chapter-5/article-13/section-31-5-1303/
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional safety advice. All car seats must be installed and used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and all applicable laws. As the laws may be updated frequently, please refer directly to your states legal document for further details and updates. Quality Quest Club is not a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST). We strongly recommend having your car seat installation checked by a certified CPST in your area. Quality Quest Club assumes no liability for any injuries or damages resulting from the use or misuse of information contained in this article.