Booster Seat Regulations in Indiana

As of August 2010, 47 states have laws requiring booster seats. Arizona, Florida and South Dakota do not have laws requiring booster seats. In Indiana, the booster seat law took effect on July 1, 2005.

Purpose

A booster seat is for an older child who has outgrown a forward-facing car seat. It provides a way for a child to ride safely in a car using an adult seat belt. A booster seat raises a child up so that the shoulder and lap belt fit properly.

Indiana Law

In Indiana, by law, a child must ride in a car using a booster seat until she is 8 years old, unless she is 57 inches tall. The Indiana State Government website states, "Never use with lap-only belts—belt-positioning boosters are always used with lap and shoulder belts." Children between the ages of 8 and 15 can use an adult seat belt. A child should use a booster seat until she is between 80 and 100 lbs., is 57 inches tall and can pass a seat belt fit test.

Fines

The minimum fine for a first offense is $25. A driver receives one point on his driving record when he receives a ticket for not restraining a child in a car seat or booster seat.

References

• Insurance Institute of Highway Safety: Child Restraint Laws
• Govenors Highway Safety Association: Child Passenger Safety Laws
• Healthy Children: Safety and Prevention
• Jefferson County Health Department: Child Passenger Safety
• Indiana Government: General Child Seat Use Information