Carseat Regulations

Car seats were created to keep infants and children safe in motor vehicles, as the seats and safety belts are made for adults and not children. Car seat regulations vary according to the state, but there are general rules and regulations that everyone must follow to stay within the law and to provide optimal safety for your children.

Infant Car Seats

Special seats are made for newborn children. These seats are made to be used in a rear-facing position to protect children should the airbag deploy in an accident. If your child is less than 1 year old and/or less than 20 pounds, he must be placed in a rear-facing car seat. This car seat should always be in the backseat of the vehicle.

Convertible Car Seats

After the child has outgrown the newborn car seat, she may graduate up to a convertible car seat. Convertible car seats generally face forward and are to be used in the back seat of the car. They have five-point seat belt harnesses or an overhead shield. A child must use this seat until she is 40 to 65 pounds. If your vehicle has built-in car seats (many mini-vans do) you may use this seat instead, as long as you follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Booster Seats

School-aged children in kindergarten and above are required to use booster seats until they are 4-foot-9-inches tall or between 8 and 12 years old, depending on locality. Booster seats must also be used in the backseat of the car. These seats look like car seats but use the seat belt in the car, lifting the child up to a height where the seat belt is effective. Parents should not use seat belt clips that are sold in stores to make the seat belt fit better. These are for adults. Children should use the booster seat instead.

Older Children

Children can stop sitting in booster seats when they have reached maximum height and age. They should continue to sit in the backseat of the car until they are 13 years old and should use shoulder and lap belts.

Exemptions

There are a few exemptions to these rules. If a child is in a taxicab or on public transit, the rules are waived. Also, if the vehicle does not have a backseat, such as a pickup truck, a child car seat may be placed in the front seat.