Child Passenger Safety
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 |
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
At least 9 yrs and fits in an adult seat belt correctly
Under 13 in rear seat if possible
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
Seat Belt required for all passengers over 8 years old, 57” and 80 lbs
Under 8 yrs unless over 57" tall. Rear-facing until age 2 or until they exceed the height/weight specifications of the manufacturer.
8-15 yrs or under 8 yrs and over 57" tall
7 yrs or under and under 57" tall
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.
- 19 states and the District of Columbia require children younger than two be in a rear-facing child safety seat.
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 April 2024. Laws last reviewed by SHSOs in March 2024.