Car Seat Laws in the US by State

Each state in the United States sets car seat and booster seat laws. That can be confusing for parents and caregivers who travel between states often or for families that move to a different state. State car seat and booster seat laws are also updated occasionally, so if you haven't looked at the requirements for a few years, they may be entirely different from what you used for an older child.

The complete list of state car seat laws is provided below. You'll also find information about the phrases commonly appearing in the laws and what those might mean for you and your baby.

"And/Or" Requirements

Many state car seat laws have lists of requirements joined by "and," which generally means the car seat or your child should meet every item to comply with the law. If the law says your child must be one year old and 20 pounds to use a forward-facing car seat, both requirements must be met.

There are other requirements where "or" is used instead. In that case, only one of the requirements must be met to comply with the law. Booster seat laws often follow this pattern: a child can legally move out of a booster seat when they reach 8 years old, or 80 pounds, or 4'9", whichever comes first.

Safety Standards

There are federal standards regarding the manufacture of car seats. In addition to these standards and proper car seat use, there are additional ways to keep your child safe when riding in a car.

Federal safety standards

While car seat laws are up to each state, the federal government covers the approval process for car seats and booster seats. Manufacturers test their own car seats according to a set of federal standards before putting a car seat on the market. They self-certify that the car seat meets the standards and then the federal government does spot checks to ensure compliance.

Some state laws require that your child's car seat must be federally approved. That means it has been through the testing and certification process.

It's rare for a car seat to make it to the mass market in the US if it doesn't meet federal standards. This phrase in the state law is more likely to apply to you if you're using a car seat from a different country, you're using something that looks like a car seat but isn't (like a bassinet baby carrier with a handle), or you've tried to build your own car seat.

Safety standards at home

Although many state car seat laws reasonably guide parents in protecting babies and toddlers in the car, you should consider going beyond the requirements in most cases.

Today, convertible and 3-in-1 car seats can accommodate a toddler rear-facing until age 3 or 4. Car seat safety experts and many manufacturers recommend keeping your child rear-facing until they reach the limits of the car seat.

Similarly, it's safest for children to remain in a forward-facing 5-point harness for as long as possible before moving to a booster seat and to stay in a booster seat until they properly fit in the adult seatbelt using the 5-step test. The state car seat law may only require a harnessed car seat until age 3 or 4, but car seats are available for much larger or older children.

The harness spreads crash forces over a more significant body area than a seatbelt. For booster seats, a child who can legally move out of a booster seat at age 8 might be too small to fit well in a seatbelt and is at greater risk of severe injuries in a crash.

The laws of physics and crash dynamics don't change based on your state's car seat law. A child who is restrained according to best practices will be well-protected and in compliance with the laws in any state.

Children who are not optimally protected are at higher risk of injury, even if they comply with state law. Consider using your state car seat law as a bare minimum, and then go beyond it for the best possible protection.

Car Seat Laws by State

The laws governing car seat use depend on where you live and where you are traveling. Familiarize yourself with your home state's regulations and those of the states you plan to visit.

Alabama

Alabama law requires children under 6 to be restrained in a federally approved car seat or booster seat. Rear-facing car seats are required until the child is at least 1 year old and weighs at least 20 pounds. Convertible or forward-facing car seats should be used until the child is at least 5 years old or weighs 40 pounds.

Alabama law further requires that children ride in booster seats until they are at least 6.

Alaska

If your child is under the age of 1 or weighs under 20 pounds, they must ride in a rear-facing car seat. Then, until the age of 4, the child must be properly restrained in an appropriate child restraint.

Children between ages 4 and 8 must ride in a booster seat (unless they are still riding in a harnessed car seat) unless they are taller than 4'9" or weigh more than 65 pounds. Alaska law requires all passengers to use a seat belt if they aren't in a child restraint.

Arizona

Arizona law requires all children under the age of 8 to be properly restrained in a federally approved child restraint system appropriate for their age, height, and weight. Rear-facing car seats are recommended for children until at least age 2.

Children over the age of 5 should ride in a booster seat until they are 8 or reach 4'9" in height. Car seat and seatbelt violations are a primary offense in Arizona so that officers can pull over vehicles and issue citations without other cause.

Arkansas

Arkansas laws require children ages 6 and under and weighing less than 60 pounds to be properly secured in a federally approved car seat or booster seat. If a child is at least 6 and at least 60 pounds but under age 15, Arkansas law requires that the child use a seat belt.

California

In California, children under 2 must be secured in a rear-facing car seat. From ages 2 to 8, children must use a child safety seat or booster, depending on their height and weight. Children are required to sit in the back seat until they reach 12 years old, if possible.

Colorado

Colorado law requires that babies ride in a rear-facing car seat until they are 2 years of age and at least 20 pounds.

Connecticut

Connecticut requires that children under 2 years old or weighing less than 30 pounds must use a rear-facing car seat. Children ages 2 to 5 or weighing under 40 pounds must be secured in a child restraint with a 5-point harness.

Children ages 5 to 8 or weighing 40 to 60 pounds must use either a booster seat or a 5-point harness, depending on fit. While children 8 years and older or weighing 60 pounds or more may transition to using a regular seatbelt or continue using a booster seat.

Delaware

Delaware law requires children under age 2 who weigh less than 30 pounds to ride in a rear-facing car seat. Children under age 4 must ride in a harnessed car seat until they weigh over 40 pounds. And children in booster seats are to remain in their booster seats until they reach the height or weight maximum listed by the manufacturer.

District of Columbia

In Washington, D.C., children under 8 years old must be in an infant, convertible, or booster child safety seat. Children under 2 years old must be in a rear-facing child restraint unless they weigh more than 40 pounds or are taller than 40 inches. Children 8 years old and older: Must wear a seatbelt at all times.

Florida

Florida's car seat laws require that all children under 5 years old use a federally approved, crash-tested child restraint system. Children are required to use a forward-facing car seat until they outgrow the height and weight limits specified by the manufacturer. Booster seats are required until the child is over 4 feet 9 inches tall and weighs more than 80 pounds. From ages 4 to 5, children may use either a separate carrier, an integrated child seat, or a booster seat. Once children reach the age of 6, they are permitted to use a booster seat or a regular seat belt. Additionally, Florida law mandates that children sit in the back seat whenever possible, except in school buses, taxis, limousines, or other vehicles used for compensation.

Georgia

Georgia law requires children under the age of 8 to ride in a federally approved car seat or booster seat appropriate for that child's height and weight. These children must ride in the back seat unless they are taller than 57 inches, and their car seat or booster seat should be installed and used according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Children in Georgia are permitted to sit in a front-facing car seat when they are 1 year old and weigh at least 21 pounds. State law mandates that any child 1 year old or younger who weighs 20 pounds or less must remain in a rear-facing position. 

Hawaii

Hawaii law requires that all children under the age of 4 be restrained in a federally approved child safety seat. Until they reach the age of 2, they must be properly restrained in a rear-facing car seat with a harness.

Idaho

Idaho's car seat laws require that all children under the age of 7 must use a car seat or booster seat. Children under 2 should be secured in a rear-facing car seat. Children between the ages of 2 and 3 who weigh under 40 pounds should be placed in a rear-facing or forward-facing car seat. However, those in this age group who weigh over 40 pounds should be in a forward-facing car seat.

Illinois

In Illinois, children under 2 years old must be in a rear-facing child safety seat, unless they weigh 40 lbs or are 40 inches tall. Children under 8 must be secured in a child safety seat, such as a booster seat, whenever they are transported.

Indiana

Indiana law requires children under 8 to ride in a federally approved car seat or booster seat appropriate for their height and weight. The car seat or booster seat must be installed and used according to the manufacturer's instructions. Infants under the age of 1 and weighing under 20 pounds must ride in a rear-facing car seat. Children ages 8 to 16 must ride in a seat belt.

Children at least 40 pounds may use a booster seat, but troopers encourage parents to keep their children restrained in a forward-facing seat until at least 65 pounds, according to the Indiana state police.

Iowa

Iowa Law states that children up to 6-years-old must be properly restrained in a federally approved car seat or booster seat that is appropriate for the child and installed and used according to the manufacturer's instructions. Babies under the age of 1 and weighing less than 20 pounds must ride in a rear-facing car seat. From age 6 to 11, children must use a car seat or a seat belt and continue using it until they are 18.

Kansas

Kansas law requires children to use car seats, booster seats, or safety belts based on their age, height, and weight to ensure their safety in vehicles. Children under 4 years old must be secured in a federally approved child safety seat. Children aged 4 to 7 are required to be in a booster seat, unless they are over 80 pounds, taller than 4 feet 9 inches, or if only a lap belt is available.

Kentucky

In Kentucky, children under 8 years old must ride in a car seat or booster appropriate for their size. Once a child reaches 8 years old or is taller than 57 inches, they may transition to using a seatbelt.

Louisiana

Louisiana law requires babies under 2 years of age to ride in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the height or weight maximum listed by the manufacturer. Children between the ages of 2 and 4 must ride in a forward-facing car seat and those over the age of 4 must ride in a belt-positioning booster car seat, again until they exceed the manufacturer's height and weight recommendations.

Children over age 9 who are not riding in a car seat must use a lap/shoulder seat belt. Louisiana recommends that children who fall into more than one category by age and weight be placed in the car seat that gives the most protection in a crash. Keep children rear-facing as long as possible, in a forward-facing harness to the limit of the car seat, and a booster seat until the seat belt fits.

Maine

Maine law requires babies and children weighing under 55 pounds to be properly secured in a federally approved car seat. Children under age 8 and under 80 pounds can ride in a car or booster seat. Children under age 18 must wear seat belts if they are not in a car seat or booster seat, and children under age 12 and weighing less than 100 pounds must ride in a rear seat if possible.

Maryland

Maryland requires that children under 8 years old or weighing less than 65 pounds use a car seat or booster. Children under 4 years must use a rear-facing or forward-facing car seat, depending on their size. After 8 years or 65 pounds, children may use a seatbelt.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts law requires that all children under age 8 and less than 57 inches tall be properly fastened and secured according to manufacturer's instructions, in a federally approved car seat or booster seat. Children at least 8 years of age or taller than 57 inches should use a vehicle seatbelt if the seatbelt fits properly.

Fit is defined as a lap belt low and snug across the hips, a shoulder belt across mid-chest and shoulder, back and hips against the vehicle seat without slouching, knees bent over the edge of the chair, feet flat on the floor, and staying in that position for the entire trip.

Michigan

Michigan law requires children under 4 to ride in a car seat in the vehicle's rear seat. If other kids occupy all rear seats under the age of 4, or there is no rear seat, the child may ride in the front seat and must still be properly restrained in the car seat. Children in rear-facing car seats can only ride in a vehicle seat with a frontal airbag if it is turned off.

Children must be adequately restrained from age 4 until age 8 in a car seat or booster seat. Children under the age of 8 but taller than 4'9" may use the vehicle seat belt.

Minnesota

Minnesota law requires that children under age 9 be restrained in an appropriate, federally approved car seat or booster seat. Car seats must be installed and used according to the manufacturer's instructions. Infants under the age of 2 must ride in a rear-facing car seat.

Mississippi

Mississippi law requires all children under 4 to ride in a car seat. Children ages 4 to 7 must use a child restraint system that meets their age, height, and weight requirements, regardless of where in the vehicle they sit.

Missouri

Missouri laws require children under age 4 or under 40 pounds to ride in a federally approved child car seat that is appropriate for the child's age and size. Children ages 4 through 7 who weigh more than 40 pounds but less than 80 pounds or are not at least 4'9" tall must ride in an appropriate child car seat or booster seat.

Montana

Montana law dictates that children under 6 and weighing less than 60 pounds must be in a car seat or booster. Children between 6 and 8 must use a booster unless they exceed 4'9" in height or 80 pounds in weight.

Nebraska

Nebraska law requires all children up to age 8 to ride in a federally approved car seat or booster seat that is appropriate for the child's age, height, and weight. Rear-facing car seats are required for children up to age 2 or until they reach the upper weight or height limit the car seat’s manufacturer allows.

Nevada

Nevada law requires children under age 6 and weighing less than 60 pounds to ride in a federally approved car seat or booster seat appropriate for their age and weight. The car seat or booster must be installed and used according to the manufacturer's instructions.

 New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, children under 2 must ride in a rear-facing car seat. From ages 2 to 4, a forward-facing car seat is required. Children aged 4 to 7 should use a booster seat unless they meet height or weight requirements for a seatbelt.

New Jersey

According to the government of New Jersey, children under the age of 2 and under 30 pounds must be secured in a rear-facing seat equipped with a 5-point harness. Children under the age of 4 and 40 pounds must be secured as described in the same manner until they reach the upper limits of the rear-facing seat, then in a forward-facing child restraint equipped with a 5-point harness.

New Mexico

New Mexico law requires all children under 7 and all children under 60 pounds to ride in a child safety seat. State law also requires children ages 7 to 12 to ride in a booster seat until the adult seat belt fits them properly. All children must remain rear-facing until they are at least 1 year old and 20 pounds.

New York

New York law states that all children under the age of 4 must use a child safety car seat; between the ages of 4 and 8 children must ride in an appropriate car seat or booster seat. Use only safety seats and restraint systems which adhere to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 and follow manufacturer instructions.

North Carolina

North Carolina law requires all children under age 8 and under 80 pounds to ride in a properly used car seat or booster seat. Children may be moved to a seat belt when they reach age 8 or 80 pounds, whichever comes first.

If a lap/shoulder belt is not available for a child who weighs more than 40 pounds, a properly fitted lap belt may be used since booster seats should not be used with lap-only seat belts. Car seats must be installed in the rear seat if the child is under the age of 5 and weighs less than 40 pounds.

North Dakota

North Dakota’s child passenger safety laws mandate that children under 8 years old must be secured in a car seat or booster seat. However, children who are at least 57 inches tall and younger than 8 can use a regular seat belt instead of a car seat or booster. For children aged 8 to 17, they must be restrained in a car seat, booster seat, or regular seat belt, depending on their size and the type of restraint appropriate for their age and height.

Ohio

Ohio law requires children under the age of 4 and under 40 pounds to ride in an appropriate car seat or booster for the child's age and weight. The car seat must be used according to the manufacturer's instructions. Children ages 4 through 7 who are less than 4'9" tall must ride in a federally approved booster seat.

Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, children under the age of 2 must ride in a rear-facing car seat. Children ages 2 to 4 must be secured in a forward-facing car seat, while children ages 4 to 8 should be in a booster seat unless they meet height or weight thresholds.

Oregon

Oregon law requires all children to ride in a federally approved car seat until they weigh at least 40 pounds. Infants must ride in rear-facing car seats until they reach 2 years of age. Children must use a booster seat until they are 4'9" tall unless they are at least 8 years old. Oregon strongly recommends that children under age 12 ride in the back seat. All passengers and drivers are required to wear a seatbelt.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania law requires children under 2 to be secured in a rear-facing car seat until they outgrow the maximum weight and height limits set by the car seat manufacturer. Children under 4 must ride in a federally approved car seat appropriate for their age, height, and weight. The child restraint must be properly used and secured to the vehicle using a seatbelt or the LATCH system. Children ages 4 to 8 must use a booster seat if they are no longer in a car seat.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island law states that children under age 8 who weigh less than 80 pounds and are less than 57 inches tall must be properly restrained in the rear vehicle seat in an approved car seat or booster seat. All passengers over eight must be properly restrained in a seatbelt. Children over age eight who do not yet fit the seatbelt properly may continue to use a booster seat.

South Carolina

South Carolina mandates that children under the age of 2 must use a rear-facing car seat. Children between the ages of 2 and 8 must be in a car seat or booster. After age 8 or 4'9", children may use a seatbelt.

South Dakota

South Dakota law requires all children under age 5 and weighing less than 40 pounds to use an appropriate federally approved car seat or booster in all seating positions. If they are not already in a car seat or booster, all children 18 and under must wear a seat belt.

South Dakota is one of only a few states in the U.S. without a booster seat law. Booster seats are strongly recommended until a child weighs at least 80 pounds and is 4'9" tall.

Tennessee

Tennessee law requires infants under 1 year of age and weighing less than 20 pounds to ride in a rear-facing car seat. If the car seat has a rear-facing weight limit over 20 pounds, you may keep the infant rear-facing beyond one year and 20 pounds, and the state recommends you do so to the limit of the car seat.

Children under four must be properly restrained in an approved car seat according to the manufacturer's instructions. Children ages 4 through 8 who are less than 4'9" tall must use a booster seat.

Texas

Texas law requires children under age 8 to ride in an appropriate car seat or booster seat unless they are 4'9" tall. According to manufacturer recommendations, you must select the appropriate restraint for your child's height and weight.

Additionally, Texas law states that during vehicle operation, the child must be properly secured in the car seat or booster seat according to the instructions of the safety seat system manufacturer. Children under 17 must be buckled into the vehicle with a seat belt.

Utah

Utah’s car seat laws mandate that children should remain in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least two years old. Those under 8 years old must use a car seat or booster seat. Additionally, children under 7 years old and under 57 inches tall must use a child restraint system. Children should continue using a booster seat until they are at least 4'9" tall or until the seat belt fits them properly.

Vermont

Vermont mandates that children under 2 must use a rear-facing car seat. From ages 2 to 4, a forward-facing car seat is required. Children aged 4 to 8 must use a booster unless they are taller than 4'9" or heavier than 80 pounds. Children under 13 should ride in the back seat if possible

Virginia

In Virginia, children under 2 years old must ride in a rear-facing car seat. Children between ages 2 and 8 must use an appropriate car seat or booster. After 8 years old or 4'9" tall, children may use a seatbelt.

Washington

Washington law requires that children be restrained in appropriate child restraint systems (car seats or booster seats) unless the child is 4'9" tall. Babies under the age of 2 must ride in a rear-facing car seat.

Children 4'9" or taller must use a seatbelt or appropriate child safety restraint. Children under 13 must be transported in rear seats where it is practical to do so.

This law is also known as the Anton Skeen Law. It was named for a child who died in a rollover crash because, although he was properly restrained by state law at the time, the vehicle's adult seatbelt could not protect him during the crash.

West Virginia

West Virginia law requires that all children under the age of 8 ride in an appropriate, federally approved car seat or booster seat installed and used according to the manufacturer's instructions. If the child is under 8 but is taller than 4'9", they may ride in a seat belt. A police officer may pull you over if they do not believe your child is appropriately restrained.

Wisconsin

Children younger than 1 should be in a rear-facing car seat, while Wisconsin law requires that children under the age of 8 or shorter than 4'9" use a car seat or booster seat. Children aged 8 or older can use a seatbelt if it fits properly.

Wyoming

In Wyoming, children under 8 years old must be secured in a child safety seat or booster seat appropriate for their age, weight, and height. Children under 2 years old are required to be in a rear-facing car seat, while children 2 to 4 years old can use a forward-facing car seat with a harness or a booster seat. Children between 4 and 8 years old should continue using a booster seat until they are at least 4'9" tall or weigh more than 80 pounds. Once children are 8 years old or exceed the height and weight requirements for a booster seat, they may use a regular seat belt.