Child Safety Seat Laws in each State - Resources
| State | Child Safety Seat Requirements | Adult Seat Belt | Penalty for First Offense |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Rear-facing infant seats must be used for children 1 and under or weighing 20 pounds or less; children between 1 and 4 must use a forward-facing car seat. Children between 5 and 6 should use a booster seat. | May be used by children between the ages of six and fourteen. | $25 plus points added to driving record |
| Alaska | Children 20 pounds or less or under the age of 1 must be in a rear-facing car seat. Children weighing great than 20 pounds or between the ages of 1 and 4 must be in an age appropriate car seat. Children between the ages of 4 and 7 or weighing between 20 and 64 pounds, or are 57” tall must use a booster seat. | An adult seat belt may be used with children older than four-years-old or who weigh more than 65 pounds, or are at least 57” tall. Children between the ages of 8 and 16 may wear a seat belt if the weigh more than 65 pounds or are at least 57” tall. | $50 plus points added to driving record |
| American Samoa | Infant car seats are required for children under four-years-old | Seat belts may be worn by children older than four-years-old. | No information is available |
| Arizona | Infant car seats are required for children five or younger. | Adult seat belts are not allowed for young children. | The Maximum fine for a first time offense is $50. |
| Arkansas | Child safety seats are required for children five-years-old and younger and those who weigh less than 60 pounds. | Seat belts are allowed for children between the ages of six and fourteen and those that weight more than 60 pounds. | The maximum fine for a first offense is $100. |
| California | Child car seats are for children under the age of eight and who are less than 57” tall. | Adult seatbelts may be worn by children between the ages of 8 and 15, or who are more than 57” tall. | The maximum penalty is $435 with points added to the driving record. |
| Colorado | Children younger than one and who weigh 20 pounds or less must use a rear-facing car seat. Children between the ages of 1 and 3 who weight between 20 and 40 pounds may use an appropriate child seat. Children between the ages of 4 and 7 may use a booster seat. | Children between the ages of eight and fifteen may wear seat belts. | The maximum penalty if $82. |
| Connecticut | Children one or younger or who weigh less than 20 pounds must be restrained in a rear-facing car seat. Children between the ages of one and six or who weigh 60 pounds or less must be in an appropriate seat or booster. Boosters must use a lap or lap and shoulder belt. | Children between the ages of 7and 1, or who weigh 60 pounds or more may use adult seat belts. | The maximum penalty is $60. For children 4-16 and weighing more than 40 pounds, the fine is $15. |
| Delaware | Children seven-years-old and younger and weighing 60 pounds or less must be in a child car seat. | Children between the ages of 8 and 15 or weigh 66 pounds or more may wear a seat belt. | The maximum fine for a first offense is $25. |
| D.C. | Children 7-years-old and younger must be restrained in a car seat. | Children and teens between the ages of 8 and 15 may wear seat belts. | The maximum fine for a first offense is $75 plus points added to the driving record. |
| Florida | Children 3-years-old and younger must use car seats. | Children between the ages of 8 and 15 may wear an adult seat belt. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $60 plus points on the driving record. |
| Georgia | Children 8 and younger and those 57” tall and less must use a car seat. | Children who are at least 57” tall and weigh 40 pounds or more may use an adult, rear- seat belt. | The maximum fine is $50 plus points on the record. |
| Guam | Children 12-years-old and under must use a car seat or booster chair. | Children 12 and over may use a seat belt. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $100. |
| Hawaii | Children 3 and younger must be in a car seat. Ages 4 to 7 must use a booster seat. | Children at least 57” tall and weigh at least 40 pounds may sit in the rear seat with a lap and shoulder belt. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $100. |
| Idaho | Children seven and younger must use car seats. | Seat belt use is not allowed for young children. |
The maximum penalty for a first offense is $79. |
| Illinois | Children seven and younger must use car seats. | Children between 8 and 15, who weigh more than 40 pounds, may use a seat belt in the rear seat. Lap and shoulder combinations are preferred, but if shoulder belts are unavailable, the child may use a lap belt. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $75. |
| Indiana | Children seven and younger must use car seats. | Children between 8 and 15, who weigh more than 40 pounds, may use a seat belt in the rear seat. Lap and shoulder combinations are preferred, but if shoulder belts are unavailable, the child may use a lap belt. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $25 plus points on the driving record. |
| Iowa | Children one and under or 20 pounds or less must use a rear facing infant seat. Those between one and five must use an age appropriate child restraint. | Children between 6 and 17 may use seat belts. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $25. |
| Kansas | Children three years old and under must use an age appropriate car seat. Children between 4 and 7 may use a booster seat.The rear seat is preferable. | Children between 8 and 13 may use a seat belt in the rear seat. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $60. |
| Kentucky | Children younger than six and less than 40” tall must use an age and size appropriate car seat. Children between 40” and 50” must use a booster seat. | Children six and over and who stand at least 50” tall may use a rear seat belt. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $50 for a car seat and $30 for a booster. |
| Louisiana | Children one and under or 20 pounds or less must use a rear facing infant seat. Those between one and three, and who weigh between 20 and 39 pounds must use a forward facing seat. Children between 4 and 5 and weigh between 40 and 60 pounds may use a booster. | Children between six and 12 who weight at least 60 pounds may use a rear seat belt. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $100. |
| Maine | Children less than 40 pounds must use an age appropriate car seat. Children who weigh between 40 and 80 pounds must ensure they are in a booster seat that allows for proper seat belt placement. Children less than 100 pounds should sit in the rear seat. | Children between the ages of 8 and 17 or and stand at least 57” may use a seat belt. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $50. |
| Maryland | Children eight and under, who weigh 65 pounds and less, and stand 57” or less must use an appropriate car seat. The rear seat is preferable. | Children between the ages of 8 and 15, who weigh at least 65 pounds and who stand at least 57” tall, may use a seat belt. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $25. |
| Massachusetts | Children seven and younger and less than 57” tall must use car seats. | Children between the ages of 8 and 12 and who stand at least 57” may use a seat belt. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $25. |
| Michigan | Children seven and younger and less than 57” tall must use car seats. | Children between the ages of 8 and 15 and who stand at least 57” may use a seat belt. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $10. |
| Minnesota | Children seven and younger and less than 57” tall must use car seats. | Children at least 8-years-old, and who stand at least 57” may use a seat belt. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $50. |
| Mississippi | Children four and under must use an age appropriate car seat. Those between the ages of 4 and 6 and are between 57” and weigh 65 pounds and less must use a booster seat. | Children at least 7-years-old, who weigh 65 pounds or more, and who stand at least 57” tall, may use a seat belt. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $25. |
| Missouri | Children four-years-old and younger or 40 pounds and less must use an appropriate car seat. Children between 4 and 7 and stand less than 57” must use a booster seat. The rear seat is preferred. | Children between the ages of 8 and 16 who weigh 80 pounds or more and stand at least 57” tall may use seat belts. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $50 and $10 for children less than 80 pounds or 57” tall. |
| Montana | Children six and under, and who weigh less than 60 pounds must use a car seat. | Seat belt use is not allowed for young children. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $100. |
| Nebraska | Infant car seats are required for children under five-years-old. | Children between the ages of 6 and 17 may use seat belts. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $25 plus points on the driving record. |
| Nevada | Infant car seats are required for children under six-years-old and who weigh 60 pounds or less. | Seat belt use is not allowed for young children. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $500. |
| New Hampshire | Infant car seats are required for children under five-years-old and stand 55” or less. | Children between the ages of 6 and 17, and who are at least 55” tall may use seat belts in the back seat. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $50. |
| New Jersey | Infant car seats are required for children under eight-years-old and weigh 80 pounds or less. A rear seat is preferable. | Seat belt use is not allowed for young children. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $25 and court fees. |
| New Mexico | Children one and under or 20 pounds or less must use a rear facing infant seat. Those between one and four, and who weigh less than 40 pounds must use an appropriate car seat. Children between 5 and 6 and weigh less than 60 pounds may use a booster. | Children between the ages of 7 and 17 may use seatbelts. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $25. |
| New York | Children three and younger, and who weigh less than 40 pounds must use an age appropriate car seat. Children between 4 and 7 may use a booster seat with lap and shoulder seat belt. | Children between the ages of 8 and 15 may use seat belts. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $100 plus points on the driving record. |
| North Carolina | Children seven and younger and less than 80 pounds must use car seats. | Children between the ages of 8 and 15 or who weigh between 40 and 80 pounds may use seat belts. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $25, $188 for court costs and points on the driving record. |
| North Dakota | Children seven and younger, who weigh less than 80 pounds, and are 57” tall or less must use car seats. | Children between the ages of 7 and 17, who weigh at least 80 pounds or are at least 57” tall may use seat belts. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $25 plus a point on the driving record. |
| Northern Mariana Islands | Children five and younger and who weigh less than 70 pounds must use car seats. | Children who are at least five-years-old and weigh at least 70 pounds. | The maximum penalty for a first offense varies between $50 and $250. |
| Ohio | Infant car seats are required for children under four-years-old and weigh less than 40 pounds. Children who weigh more than 40 pounds and are between 4 and 7 must use a booster seat. | Children between the ages of 8 and 14 may use seat belts. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $75. |
| Oklahoma | Infant car seats are required for children under five-years-old | Children between the ages of 6 and 12 and who weigh at least 40 pounds may use a seat belt in the rear seat. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $50 but may exceed $200 with court costs. |
| Oregon | Children one year and under, who weigh 20 pounds and less must use a rear facing car seat. Children 40 pounds and less must use a car seat that is age appropriate. | Children between the ages of 8 and 15, and who are at least 4’9” may use seat belts. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $110. |
| Pennsylvania | Children seven and younger must use car seats. | Seat belt use is not allowed for young children. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $75. |
| Puerto Rico | Children four and younger must use car seats. | Children five-years-old may wear seat belts. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $100. |
| Rhode Island | Children seven and younger, who weigh less than 80 pounds, and are less than 57” tall must use car seats. | Children between 8 and 17-years-old, and who weigh 80 pounds may use seat belts. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $75. |
| South Carolina | Children one and under or 20 pounds or less must use a rear facing infant seat. Those between one and five, and who weigh between 40 and 80 pounds, must use a booster seat that uses both lap and shoulder seat belts. The rear seat is preferable. | Children over five-years-old and 80 pounds may use seat belts. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $150. |
| South Dakota | Children five and younger and who weigh less than 40 pounds must use car seats. | Children between the ages of 5 and 17 who weigh at least 40 pounds may use seat belts. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $25. |
| Tennessee | Children one and under or 20 pounds or less must use a rear facing infant seat. Those between one and three and who weigh less than 20 pounds may use a forward facing seat. Children between 4 and 8 and are 57” or less may use a booster seat. The rear seat is preferable. | Children between 9 and 15 and are at least 4’9” may use seat belts. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $50. |
| Texas | Children seven and younger and less than 57” tall must use car seats. | Seat belt use is not allowed for young children. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $25. |
| Utah | Children seven and younger and less than 57” tall must use car seats. | Children between the ages of 8 and 15 and who are at least 40 pounds may use seat belts. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $45. |
| Vermont | Children one and under or 20 pounds or less must use a rear facing infant seat. Infants may sit in the front seat if there is no air bag or if it is deactivated. | Children between the ages of 8 and 17 and who are at least 20 pounds may use seat belts. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $25. |
| Virgin Islands | Children five and younger must use car seats. | Children who are older than 5-years-old may wear seat belts. | The maximum penalty ranges between $25 and $250. |
| Virginia | Children seven and younger must sit in the back seat, or front as long as there is no working airbag. | Children between the ages of 8 and 17, or who have a doctor’s note may use seat belts. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $50. |
| Washington | Children eight and younger and less than 57” tall must use car seats. Rear seat is preferred. | Children between the ages of 8 and 15 and are at least 40 pounds or stand at least 57” may use seat belts. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $124. |
| West Virginia | Children seven and younger and less than 57” tall must use car seats. | Children at least seven-years-old and standing at least 57” tall may wear seat belts. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $20. |
| Wisconsin | Children one and under or 20 pounds or less must use a rear facing infant seat. Those between one and three, and who weigh between 20 and 40 pounds must use a forward facing seat. Children between 4 and 7 and weigh between 40 and 80 pounds may use a booster. The rear seat is preferable. | Children at least 8-years-old, who weigh 80 pounds or more, or stand at least 57” tall, may wear seat belts. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $75. |
| Wyoming | Children eight and younger must use car seats. Rear seat is preferable to front. | Seat belt use is not allowed for young children. | The maximum penalty for a first offense is $50. |
Additional Resources
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Child Seats: The NHTSA releases information on child car seat recalls and defects.
- CDC Child Safety Seat: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides resources on injury prevention and control for child-passenger safety seats.
- Safe Kids Car Seats, Boosters, and Seat Belt Safety: Safe Kids USA provides resources and information for those interested in child-seat safety.
- Child Safety for You and Your Baby: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists discuss the importance of child seat belts, car seats, and the impacts of a car crash. (PDF)
- Governors Highway Safety Association: The Governors Association discusses various state laws regarding child safety seats.
- Child Safety Seats: The University of Maryland Medical Center provides an overview of child safety and booster seats.
- Child Safety Restraints and Booster Seats: Loyola University Health Systems explores numerous ways to keep children protected in automobiles.
- Child Safety Seats for Toddlers: The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia discusses the appropriate child safety seat according to age.
- Grandparents and Child Safety Seats: Texas A&M System’s AgriLife Extension explores child safety seats and recommendations for grandparents traveling with grandchildren. (PDF)
- Child Seats and Air Bag Safety: The University of Oklahoma Police Department examines the ABC’s of child seat safety.
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