Car Seat LawsCar seat laws vary in the United States. It is the drivers' and parents' responsibility to have their child and passengers restrained properly in the vehicle. When transporting children there are also "best practices" that go beyond minimum law requirements. These practices help to improve safety even further while still meeting state laws. As an example, more and more car seats are being designed so children can remain at each stage of passenger safety even longer. This is where best practice recommendations, such as keeping the child rear-facing longer, helps to give the child more protection while riding in the vehicle. California laws are below. For other states select the Car Seat Law Finder map.
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California
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Effective January 1, 2017: Rear-facing to age least 2-years of age. Children under 2-years old must be rear-facing unless they weight 40-pounds or more or are 40-inches tall or more. But see Best Practice below.
Best practice: Remember that most children will outgrow their infant seat before age-1. The next seat is a convertible seat, which is also rear facing. Because most convertible car seats go to higher weight and height of the child, these seats can keep the child rear-facing up to around 3-5 years of age depending on the instructions printed on the side of the car seat. See Rear-facing longer. |
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Children under age 8 must be buckled properly in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat.
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.Children aged 8 or older, or who are 4'9" or taller, may use the vehicle seat belt if it fits properly with the lap belt low on the hips, touching the upper thighs, and the shoulder belt crossing the center of the chest. If children are not tall enough for proper belt fit, they must ride in a car seat or booster seat.
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Everyone in the car must be properly buckled up. See Buckle Up Stages.
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It is illegal to leave a child under the age of seven alone in the car without the supervision of a person at least 12-years of age if:
See Children, Heat & Cars: 4-Steps for prevention. |
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Fines & Penalties
For each child under 16-years of age who is not properly secured, parents (if in the car) or driver can be fined more than $600 and get a point on their driving record (Car Seat Laws In California | DMV.com). |
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It is illegal to smoke in a car when a child 17-years of age or younger is in the vehicle. Fines and penalties are up to $100, but with court fees can increase higher)
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If you have received a traffic violation for a child passenger, call our traffic diversion program for a court violator class.
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