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USA Car Seat Laws by State – Child Car Seats in the US

Child seat laws in the USA are set by state, so if you’re visiting the USA with children and renting a car or travelling by car otherwise you need to know the rules and laws around child car seat provision. As with many driving rules in the US such as speed limits and the minimum driving age, car seat laws are set at state level and you should check before travelling the legal requirement for the state(s) in which you plan to drive with children in the car.

Rear-Facing Baby Seat Laws in the US by State (age / weight)

baby seat laws by state in usa
Half of all states in the US have a minimum age of 12 months or maximum weight of 20lb at which point children should travel in a rear-facing seat. All of the remaining states have a minimum age of 24 months with varying maximum weights of between 30-40 pounds, or the maximum weight / height of the specific car seat as specified by the manufacturer. Only Oklahoma and Oregon differ and state that all children under 24 months of age, regardless of weight should travel in a rear facing car seat. Only Florida and West Virginia have no age / weight restrictions and state that children should meet the weight or height limitations as determined by the car seat manufacturer.

Forward-Facing Child Seat Laws in the US by State (age / weight / height)

child car seat laws in us by state
25 of all states in the USA have no fixed upper age limit for the use of forward-facing car seats with 13 of those requiring children to meet the weight or height limitations as set by the car seat manufacturer. Where no minimum age is set, some states specify a maximum weight for the use of car seats with Rhode Island being the strictest setting a weight limit of 80lb before children can in a car not in a forward-facing car seat (they are still then required to use a booster seat until aged 8). Indiana as the lowest limit of just 30lb where children can start to use a booster seat, however police will encourage parents / carers to use a use a forward-facing car seat until at least 40lb inline with most other states that set no minimum age.

child car seat weight laws in usa by state

The remaining 24 states have minimum age or weight requirements ranging from 4 years and 40lb at the lowest to 6 years and 65lb, or the maximum weight or height limitations as determined by the car seat manufacturer.

Booster Seat Laws in the US by State (age / weight / height)

booster seat age laws in usa by state
Transitioning from a forward facing car seat to a booster seat is often one of the grey areas that cause the most confusion as forward facing car seats range from harness type to ones that use the regular seat belt of the car. Some booster seats have backs and some don’t so it’s always wise to check to type of seat first. Generally, the progression from forward facing car seat to booster seat is determined by weights / height, whereas booster seats are generally determined by height as they are designed to ensure that the regular seat belt fits the occupant as intended to provide maximum protection and prevent injury in the event of an accident. Most states have a minimum height of 4’9” (57 inches / 144.78cm / 1.44m) and generally minimum age of 8, although some states are lower. Ohio has the strictest requirement with a minimum height of 4’10” (58 inches / 147.32cm / 1.47m).
booster seat height laws in usa by state
Whichever US state you are driving in with children in the car, it is wise to check the requirements before you travel to ensure you comply with the law. If renting a car, you can pre-book child-seats and check its suitability on arrival with the rental agent.
 
SEAT TYPE
REAR
 FACING
FORWARD
 FACING
BOOSTER
BOOSTER
BOOSTER
STATE
AGE (months)
WEIGHT (lbs)
AGE (years)
WEIGHT (lbs)
AGE (years)
WEIGHT (lbs)
HEIGHT (ft/inches)
Alabama
12
20
5
40
6
na
n/a
Alaska
12
20
4
65
8
65
4'9"
Arizona
12
20
n/a
40
8
40
4'9"
Arkansas
12
20
n/a
by seat
8
n/a
4'9"
California
24
40
n/a
65
8
n/a
4'9"
Colorado
12
20
4
40
8
n/a
n/a
Connecticut
24
30
5
40
8
60
n/a
Delaware
12
20
n/a
by seat
8
65
4'9"
Florida
n/a
by seat
n/a
by seat
5
n/a
n/a
Georgia
12
20
4
40
8
80
4'9"
Hawaii
12
20
4
by seat
8
n/a
n/a
Idaho
24
40
6
40
7
n/a"
4'9"
Illinois
24
40
4
40
8
n/a
n/a
Indiana
12
20
n/a
30
8
n/a
n/a
Iowa
12
20
n/a
40
6
n/a
4'9"
Kansas
12
20
n/a
40
8
n/a
4'9"
Kentucky
12
20
n/a
40
7
80
40-50 inches
Louisiana
24
by seat
n/a
by seat
n/a
by seat
n/a
Maine
24
by seat
n/a
55
8
80
4'9"
Maryland
12
20
n/a
40
8
n/a
4'9"
Massachusetts
12
by seat
4
by seat
8
n/a
4'9"
Michigan
24
by seat
n/a
by seat
8
n/a
4'9"
Minnesota
12
20
n/a
40
8
n/a
4'9"
Mississippi
24
by seat
n/a
by seat
8
n/a
4'9"
Missouri
12
20
4
40
7
80
4'9"
Montana
24
by seat
n/a
40
8
n/a
4'9"
Nebraska
24
by seat
n/a
by seat
8
n/a
n/a
Nevada
12
20
4
by seat
6
60
n/a
New Hampshire
24
by seat
6
by seat
7
n/a
4'9"
New Jersey
24
30
4
40
8
n/a
4'9"
New Mexico
12
20
n/a
by seat
7
n/a
n/a
New York
12
20
4
40
8
80
4'9"
North Carolina
12
by seat
7
by seat
8
by seat
n/a
North Dakota
24
by seat
4
by seat
n/a
by seat
n/a
Ohio
24
by seat
4
by seat
7
n/a
4'10"
Oklahoma
24
n/a
4
n/a
8
n/a
4'9"
Oregon
24
n/a
n/a
40
8
n/a
4'9"
Pennsylvania
24
by seat
4
n/a
8
n/a
n/a
Rhode Island
24
30
n/a
80
8
n/a
n/a
South Carolina
24
by seat
4
by seat
8
n/a
n/a
South Dakota
24
by seat
4
by seat
8
by seat
n/a
Tennessee
12
20
4
by seat
8
n/a
4'9"
Texas
12
by seat
n/a
by seat
8
n/a
4'9"
Utah
24
by seat
4
by seat
8
n/a
n/a
Vermont
12
20
n/a
by seat
8
n/a
n/a
Virginia
24
by seat
n/a
see seat
8
n/a
4'9"
Washington
24
by seat
n/a
by seat
8
n/a
4'9"
West Virginia
n/a
by seat
n/a
by seat
8
n/a
4'9"
Wisconsin
12
20
4
40
8
80
4'9"
Wyoming
12
20
4
40
n/a
n/a
n/a
Notes
by seat: Where limits are set by seat manufacturers, state law are to comply with manufacturer recommendations
Connecticut: Age and weight must meet both requirements for booster seat.
Georgia: Child needs to be BOTH 1 year old and 20 lbs. or more before placed in a forward-facing seat
Indiana: Children at least 30 lbs. may use a booster seat, but troopers encourage parents to keep their children restrained in a forward-facing seat until at least 40 lbs.
New Mexico: The law also states that children ages 7 to 12 must ride in a booster seat until the adult seat belt fits them properly.
Disclaimer / Sources:
All information correct at time of publication to the best of our knowledge, however we recommend you check local legislation for changes / updates to the law(s) and satisfy yourself that you will travel safely with your child in a suitable car seat, compliant with the applicable laws for the individual US state.
 
State
Source
Alabama
https://www.alea.gov/dps/highway-patrol/child-restraints-law
Alaska
http://www.carseatsak.org/Links/index.cfm?fuseaction=AlaskaLaw
Arizona
https://www.tripsavvy.com/car-booster-seat-law-in-arizona-2682493
Arkansas
https://afbic.com/2019/10/guide-to-arkansas-car-seat-laws/
California
https://www.ocsd.org/gov/sheriff/about/info/safe/car.asp
Colorado
https://leg.colorado.gov/content/child-restraint-requirements
Connecticut
https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Health-Education-Management--Surveillance/The-Office-of-Injury-Prevention/Child-Passenger-Safety
Delaware
https://ohs.delaware.gov/carseat3.shtml
Florida
https://safeconvertiblecarseats.com/safety-resources/florida-car-seat-laws/
Georgia
http://consumer.georgia.gov/consumer-topics/child-car-seats
Hawaii
https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/safe-communites/child-passenger-safety/
Idaho
https://www.drivinglaws.org/resources/traffic-tickets/traffic-laws/idaho-child-restraint-laws.htm
Illinois
https://www.drivinglaws.org/resources/traffic-tickets/traffic-laws/illinois-child-restraint-laws.htm
Indiana
https://www.in.gov/isp/2897.htm
Iowa
http://publications.iowa.gov/9226/1/English_CPS_Guide.pdf
Kansas
https://www.ksdot.org/burtrafficsaf/brochures/pdf/itsthelawprimarymay2010.pdf
Kentucky
https://transportation.ky.gov/HighwaySafety/Documents/childseat_info.pdf
Louisiana
http://legis.la.gov/Legis/law.aspx?d=88231
Maine
https://www.drivinglaws.org/resources/traffic-tickets/traffic-laws/maine-child-restraint-laws.htm
Maryland
https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/ohpetup/kiss/Pages/mdlaw.aspx
Massachusetts
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/important-tips-on-car-seats
Michigan
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/msp/CPS_car_seat_basics_flyer_2013_11_web_433952_7.pdf
Minnesota
https://www.minnesotasafetycouncil.org/facts/factsheet.cfm
Mississippi
https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/4398112.html
Missouri
https://www.modot.org/booster-seats
Montana
https://www.mdt.mt.gov/visionzero/docs/buckleup/childbrochure.pdf
Nebraska
https://safeconvertiblecarseats.com/safety-resources/nebraska-car-seat-laws/
Nevada
https://dmvnv.com/pdfforms/qtbelts.pdf
NewHampshire
https://safeconvertiblecarseats.com/safety-resources/new-hampshire-car-seat-laws/
NewJersey
https://www.nj.gov/oag/hts/childseats/
NewMexico
http://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/resources-forms-information-drivers.aspx
NewYork
https://dmv.ny.gov/more-info/safety-restraints
NorthCarolina
https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats
NorthDakota
https://www.dot.nd.gov/divisions/safety/docs/cpslawfactsheet.pdf
Ohio
https://safeconvertiblecarseats.com/safety-resources/ohio-car-seat-laws/
Oklahoma
https://ohso.ok.gov/laws1
Oregon
https://www.oregon.gov/odot/safety/pages/belts-seats.aspx
Pennsylvania
https://www.penndot.gov/TravelInPA/Safety/TrafficSafetyAndDriverTopics/Pages/Child-Passenger-Safety.aspx
RhodeIsland
https://risp.ri.gov/safety/vehiclesafety/seatbelts.php
SouthCarolina
https://safeconvertiblecarseats.com/safety-resources/south-carolina-car-seat-laws/
SouthDakota
https://dss.sd.gov/childcare/childsafetyseat/faq.aspx
Tennessee
https://www.tn.gov/safety/publicsafety/newcrd.html
Texas
https://www.dps.texas.gov/director_staff/public_information/childpasssafetyfaqs.pdf
Utah
https://health.utah.gov/vipp/kids/child-passenger-safety/prevention.html
Vermont
https://dmv.vermont.gov/enforcement-and-safety/laws/child-passenger-safety
Virginia
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/child-passenger-safety/
Washington
https://wtsc.wa.gov/programs-priorities/seat-belts-child-restraints/
WestVirginia
https://safeconvertiblecarseats.com/safety-resources/west-virginia-car-seat-laws/
Wisconsin
https://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/safety/education/child-safety/cps-law-card.pdf
Wyoming
http://www.whp.dot.state.wy.us/files/live/sites/whp/files/shared/Public_Relations/Doc3.pdf

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