Booster and Car Seat Laws by State
Rear-facing, car seat, booster, seat belt and front-seat rules for all 50 states and DC in one table, from each state's code, checked October 2026.
As of 18 October 2026, 25 states and DC require a rear-facing seat under age 2, most states require a car seat or booster until 8 or 4 ft 9 in, and 21 states set a front-seat rule, from under 2 in Nevada to under 13 in Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Vermont and Washington.
Booster and Car Seat Laws by State
Frequently asked
Which states changed their car seat laws recently?
Colorado (from 1 January 2025: rear-facing under 2 and a seat until 9), Michigan (from 2 April 2025: rear-facing to 2, harness to 5, booster to 8 or 4 ft 9 in, back seat under 13), Montana (2025), Minnesota (2024) and Vermont (July 2024). California adds a belt-fit test for 8 to 15 year olds from 1 January 2027.
Which states have no rear-facing car seat law?
Among them Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming. A child still has to be in a suitable car seat, and the AAP advises rear-facing as long as possible.
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