Child Passenger Safety

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The chart below describes the statewide laws related to child passenger safety across the country. Use the arrows below the chart to toggle through the states in alphabetical order. To advance slowly, click the single right arrow (>). To jump to the end, click the double arrows (>>). Or use the filter by state feature to jump to a specific state.
 
Scroll down for a summary and overall totals of the number of states that have specific provisions.

Last updated in April 2024. Laws last reviewed by State Highway Safety Offices in March 2024.

Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts
Child Restraint Required

At least 2 yrs in a rear-facing child safety seat until outgrows the seat by height or weight

At least 2 yrs in forward-facing child safety seat if rear-facing seat it too small by height or weight

4-8 yrs in booster seat if outgrown forward-facing harness seat by height or weight

Under 13 in rear seat if possible

Child Restraint Required

Under 2 yrs must use a rear-facing child safety seat 

Children 55 lbs. or less must ride in a rear or forward-facing child safety seat with a 5-point harness

Under 8 yrs, less than 80 lbs. and 4’ 9” must use a booster seat or child safety seat

Under 12 yrs should be in a back seat

Child Restraint Required

Under 8 yrs unless over 57" tall. Rear-facing until age 2 or until they exceed the height/weight specifications of the manufacturer.

Child Restraint Required

7 yrs or under and under 57" tall

Adult Safety Belt Permissible

At least 9 yrs  and fits in an adult seat belt correctly 

Under 13 in rear seat if possible

Adult Safety Belt Permissible

Seat Belt required for all passengers over 8 years old, 57” and 80 lbs

Adult Safety Belt Permissible

8-15 yrs or under 8 yrs and over 57" tall

Adult Safety Belt Permissible

8-12 yrs or 57" or taller

Child Restraint Required

At least 2 yrs in a rear-facing child safety seat until outgrows the seat by height or weight

At least 2 yrs in forward-facing child safety seat if rear-facing seat it too small by height or weight

4-8 yrs in booster seat if outgrown forward-facing harness seat by height or weight

Under 13 in rear seat if possible

Adult Safety Belt Permissible

At least 9 yrs  and fits in an adult seat belt correctly 

Under 13 in rear seat if possible

Child Restraint Required

Under 2 yrs must use a rear-facing child safety seat 

Children 55 lbs. or less must ride in a rear or forward-facing child safety seat with a 5-point harness

Under 8 yrs, less than 80 lbs. and 4’ 9” must use a booster seat or child safety seat

Under 12 yrs should be in a back seat

Adult Safety Belt Permissible

Seat Belt required for all passengers over 8 years old, 57” and 80 lbs

Child Restraint Required

Under 8 yrs unless over 57" tall. Rear-facing until age 2 or until they exceed the height/weight specifications of the manufacturer.

Adult Safety Belt Permissible

8-15 yrs or under 8 yrs and over 57" tall

Child Restraint Required

7 yrs or under and under 57" tall

Adult Safety Belt Permissible

8-12 yrs or 57" or taller

Child Passenger Safety

All states and territories require child safety seats for infants and children fitting specific criteria, but requirements vary based on age, weight and height. This happens in three stages: rear-facing; forward-facing (harnessed) seats; and booster seats.

Many laws require all children to ride in the rear seat whenever possible, and most states permit children over a particular age, height or weight to use an adult safety belt.

First offense fines for not complying with a state's child passenger safety laws vary from $10 to $500. Some states also use driver's license points as an additional penalty for noncompliance.

  • Most states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico require booster seats or other appropriate devices for children who have outgrown their child safety seats but are still too small to use an adult seat belt safely.

NOTE: GHSA does not compile any additional data on child passenger safety laws other than what is presented here. For more information, consult the appropriate State Highway Safety Office (SHSO).

Sources: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and SHSOs.

Last updated in August 2024. Laws last reviewed by SHSOs in March 2024.