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Expert Q&A

	By Stacy A. Robarge Parent Educator

Do all states have the same laws regarding how old a child has to be before they can stop using a car seat?

All 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Territories have child passenger safety laws (car seat laws). However, many of these laws have significant gaps and exemptions in coverage that diminish the protection that all children need in motor vehicles.

Your state law should explicitly require a child to be in an age and size appropriate restraint system. Currently, however, many states allow a child to be restrained in a safety belt when, in fact, some form of a child safety seat or booster seat is the correct safety device for the child's size and weight.

As a general rule children should be in a rear facing child safety restraint until 1 year and 20 pounds. At 1 year and 20 pounds a child should be moved to a forward facing child safety restraint until 40 pounds or the weight limit of the restraint. When a child reaches this weight limit they are not ready for an adult seat belt although most state laws do not require a child restraint past this age. At about 4 years of age and 40 pounds a child is ready for a booster seat because they do not fit in an adult seat belt properly. Most children will sit in a booster seat until the age of 8.

For specific laws in your area call your local law enforcement agency. Please be aware that your state law may fall short of the actual requirements necessary to keep your child safe.

Stacy Robarge
Child Passenger Safety Technician

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