Car Seat Laws For The USA

The information and links provided are for informational purposes only. Do not use as a basis for legal or judical determinations. Always verify them against the latest copy of the law.

Updated 07/07

State, with link to text
Must be in a child restraint system until...
Seat belt must be used after child restaint system until...
Alabama (Under codes, Section 32-5-222)
Rearfacing: 1 year of age OR weighs 20 lbs. Forwardfacing: 5 years of age OR weighs 40 lbs.
Booster:6 years of age.
15 years of age
Alaska (Title 28, Section 28.05.095)
4 years of age
16 years of age
5 years of age
 
Arkansas (Title 27 Subtitle 3 Chapter 34 Section 104)
6 years of age AND weighs 60 lbs
15 years of age
6 years of age OR weighs 60 lbs.
May not be in the front seat with an airbag if less than 1 year AND weighs 20 lbs OR is rearfacing.
16 years of age
Colorado (Title 42 Article 4 Section 236)
Rearfacing: 1 year of age AND weighs 20 lbs.
Forwardfacing: 4 years of age AND weighs 40 lbs.
Booster or child safety belt positioning device: 6 years of age AND 55 inches in height.
 
Connecticut (Section 14-100a)
Rearfacing: 1 year of age AND weighs 20 lbs. Forward facing or booster: 6 years of age OR weighs 60 lbs.
DO NOT USE A BOOSTER SEAT WITH A SHOULDER BELT.
16 years of age
7 years of age AND weighs 65 lbs. May not be in the front seat with an airbag until 12 years of age OR 65 inches in height.
16 years of age
District of Columbia (Division VIII, Title 50, Subtitle VI, Chapter 17, Section 1703)
8 years of age
16 years of age
5 years of age
 
Georgia (Title 40 Chapter 8 Article 1 Part 4, 40-8-76)
4 years of age. Also, may not ride in the front seat until 4 years of age either.
 
4 years of age. Booster: 8 years of age OR 4 feet 9 inches in height.
 
6 years of age
 
8 years of age
 
8 years of age
 
Rearfacing: 1 year of age AND weighs 20 lbs. Forwardfacing: 6 years of age.
11 years of age
Kansas (Chapter 8, Article 13, Section 1344)
4 years of age. Booster: 8 years of age AND weighs 80 lbs OR is 4 feet 9 inches in height.
14 years of age
Kentucky (PDF file)
Is 40 inches in height
 
Rearfacing: 1 year of age AND weighs 20 lbs. Forwardfacing: 4 years of age OR weighs 40 lbs. Booster: 6 years of age OR weighs 60 lbs.
13 years of age
Weighs 40 lbs. Booster: 8 years of age AND weighs 80 lbs OR is 4 feet 7 inches in height. Should remain in backseat until 12 years of age AND weighs 100 lbs.
 
6 years of age AND weighs 40 lbs
16 years of age
5 years of age AND weighs 40 lbs
12 years of age
4 years of age
16 years of age
4 years of age
 
4 years of age
 
4 years of age AND weighs 40 lbs. Booster: 8 years of age AND weighs 80 lbs OR 4 feet 9 inches in height.
 
6 years of age AND weighs 60 lbs
 
6 years of age
 
Nevada (Section 484.474)
6 years of age AND weighs 60 lbs
 
6 years of age AND 55 inches in height
18 years of age
8 years of age AND weighs 80 lbs
 
Rearfacing: 1 year of age. Forwardfacing: 4 years of age AND weighs 40 lbs. Booster: 6 years of age AND weighs 60 lbs.
12 years of age
4 years of age OR weighs 40 lbs. Booster: 7 years of age.
16 years of age
8 years of age OR weighs 80 lbs
 
North Dakota (PDF File) (Section 39-21-41.2)
7 years of age OR 57 inches in height AND weighs 80 lbs
 
Ohio (Section 4511.81)
4 years of age AND weighs 40 lbs
 
Oklahoma (Word File) (Section 47-11-1112)
6 years of age
13 years of age
Oregon (Section 811.210)
4 years of age AND weighs 40 lbs. Booster: 6 years of age AND weighs 60 lbs.
 
4 years of age. Booster: 8 years of age OR weighs 80 lbs OR 4 feet 9 inches in height.
 
7 years of age OR 54 inches in height OR weighs 80 lbs
 
South Carolina (Article 47, Section 56-5-6410)
Rearfacing: 1 year of age AND weighs 20 lbs. Forwardfacing: 6 years of age AND weighs 40 lbs. Booster: Weighs 40 lbs to 80 lbs.
 
5 years of age
 
Rearfacing: 1 year of age AND weighs 20 lbs. Forwardfacing: 3 years of age. Booster: 8 years of age OR 4 feet 9 inches in height.
 
Texas (Chapter 545, Section 545.412)
5 years of age OR 36 inches in height
 
5 years of age
16 years of age
Rearfacing: 1 year of age AND weighs 20 lbs. Forwardfacing: 8 years of age.
16 years of age
8 years of age
16 years of age
Rearfacing: 1 year in age AND weighs 20 lbs. Forwardfacing: 4 years of age AND weighs 40 lbs. Booster: 6 years in age AND weighs 60 lbs.
16 years of age
8 years of age OR is 4 feet 9 inches in height
 
Wisconsin (Section 347.48(4)(as))
Rearfacing: 1 year of age AND weighs 20 lbs. Forwardfacing: 4 years of age AND weighs 40 lbs. Booster: 8 years of age AND weighs 80 lbs OR 57 inches in height.
 
Wyoming (Section 31-5-1303)
9 years of age
 

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