Car Seat Law Checker by State
Enter your state and your child's age, weight and height to see what the car seat law requires, the front-seat rule and the AAP advice side by side.
Many US states require a car seat or booster until age 8 unless the child reaches 4 ft 9 in (57 inches), but the rule ends at 5 in South Dakota and runs to 9 in Colorado, Louisiana, Minnesota, Tennessee and Wyoming. The AAP advises a booster until the belt fits and the back seat until 13.
Car Seat Law Checker by State
Frequently asked
Can a 12 year old sit in the front seat?
In most states, yes. The front-seat rules that reach age 12 are Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Vermont and Washington (under 13, where a back seat is available or practical), Maine (under 12) and Delaware (under 12 and 65 in or shorter, with an active airbag). The AAP and NHTSA advise the back seat for every child under 13.
When can a child stop using a booster seat?
Most state laws allow a seat belt alone at 8 or once a child is 4 ft 9 in, but Colorado, Louisiana, Minnesota, Tennessee and Wyoming require a seat to 9, Hawaii to 10, and Washington until 4 ft 9 in at any age under 16. The AAP says to keep the booster until the belt fits, usually between 8 and 12.
Is rear-facing until age 2 the law?
In 25 states and DC, including California, Illinois, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania (some with a 30 lb, 40 lb or 40 in exception). Texas, Florida, Ohio, Georgia and others have no rear-facing law. The AAP advises rear-facing for as long as the seat allows.
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