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.
| Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child Restraint Required
Under age 8 and under 57" tall Younger than 2 yrs, unless reached the weight or height limit set by manufacturer, must be in a rear-facing system; 2-4 yrs, unless reached the weight or height limit set by manufacturer, must be in forward-facing restraint; 5-7 yrs, unless reached height of 4 feet 9 inches, must be in a belt-positioning child booster (effective 09/25/24) |
Child Restraint Required
At least 2 yrs in a rear-facing child safety seat until outgrows the seat by height or weight |
Child Restraint Required
Under 4 yrs in child restraint 4-6 yrs and under 57" tall or under 65 lbs in booster seat |
Child Restraint Required
Under 4 yrs or under 40 lbs in child safety seat |
| Adult Safety Belt Permissible
8-15 yrs or 57" or taller |
Adult Safety Belt Permissible
At least 9 yrs and fits in an adult seat belt correctly |
Adult Safety Belt Permissible
7 yrs or over or 57" or taller or 65 lbs or over |
Adult Safety Belt Permissible
At least 8 yrs and 80 lbs or taller than 4'9" |
Under age 8 and under 57" tall
Younger than 2 yrs, unless reached the weight or height limit set by manufacturer, must be in a rear-facing system; 2-4 yrs, unless reached the weight or height limit set by manufacturer, must be in forward-facing restraint; 5-7 yrs, unless reached height of 4 feet 9 inches, must be in a belt-positioning child booster (effective 09/25/24)
8-15 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
* If a child can be placed in more than one category, then the child must be placed in the more protective category.
At least 9 yrs and fits in an adult seat belt correctly
Under 13 in rear seat if possible
Under 4 yrs in child restraint
4-6 yrs and under 57" tall or under 65 lbs in booster seat
7 yrs or over or 57" or taller or 65 lbs or over
Under 4 yrs or under 40 lbs in child safety seat
4-7 yrs and 40-80 lbs and 4'9" or shorter in child safety seat or booster seat
At least 80 lbs or taller than 4'9" in booster seat or safety belt
At least 8 yrs and 80 lbs or taller than 4'9"
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.