FL. carseat laws

[Angel717]

We will be renting a minivan for our November trip. We are bringing the carseat for our 2 year old, but I don't know what to do about our 4 year old. Right now, he is in a booster seat, but since he won't need it for the plane ride, I'm not bringing it with us. Do I need to rent a booster seat from the rental company or can he sit without it? He is 41" and 50lbs. Does anybody know what the law is in Florida regarding carseats? Thanks.

 

[ceecee]

Regardless of law...they recommend booster seats until the child is 80 lbs now. Keep the child safe in a booster seat, we rented one when we rented a car, I believe it was $4.00 a day extra, I may be wrong. You can check it through like luggage, we have a case for ours for that purpose...it has a carrying strap for easier carrying, if you don't want to pay extra.

 

[Michelle]

From what I found, car seats are not required once kids hit age four, but all children age 5 and under must be restrained. According to Florida law, regular seat belts are acceptable for children ages 4 and above.

Just my two cents, I'd rent the booster seat anyway if you can, it is definitely safer for younger kids who are past the normal carseat stage and not really big enough for lap belts alone.

 

[beattyfamily]

That's right, 4 and up only need a seat belt and be in the back seats...

 

[Jennyfyar]

I always check my DD's (5) booster seat at the curb. They put it in a plastic bag, and it is there when you get there. If you use one at home, would you feel safe not using one any other time?

 

[LKS]

Check the most current law. GA for sure and maybe SC and NC just passed new laws (July 1, I think) stating that kids 4 and under must be in boosters. FL could have changed too. I think this is a trend we can expect to continue.

 

[tjmw2727]

"The State of Florida is the first state to pass a booster seat law requiring children under nine years old and 4'9" to be in a booster seat while riding in a vehicle effective July 1, 2001."

That is a quote from the NHTSA website. If your main concern is about getting a fine there is a one time grace period and then a sliding fine scale for the next few months. This will give FL residents a chance to become educated on the new law and purchase seats if needed.

Personally I would bring or rent a booster for my child especially one who still uses one at home. Its obviously safer so why take a chance while on vacation?

JMHO,
TJ

 

[beattyfamily]

I've been reading quite a bit about this and I believe the new Florida state law described above did NOT pass for this year; I read that Gov. Bush veto'd it. Unless they somehow overrided his veto, then nothing's changed in their law, so as I stated above, 4 and up need to be restrained with either a seatbelt or a booster seat and they need to be in the back seats.

If you do a search on Fl seatbelt laws you should be able to find the post about this law not passing. I think it was an article found at the Orlando Sentinal.

Of course, I could be wrong. I'm just telling you about the article I read in the newspaper. I'd be interested in knowing if it passed with his veto.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

Just another experience... it has been several years ago, but when we went to Disney with our then 2 and 4 year olds (both very tall for their ages)... National required us to rent two carseats. Long story short, one of them was way too small for even the two year old, so it (the carseat, not the son) rode around in the trunk the entire trip. We did get the charge for one taken off of our bill, and later found out that, at that time, the four year old did not need a seat at all.

Do your research, don't let the rental companies tell you what to do. Another note, the carseats were old and pretty dingy. So, my suggestion would be to bring your own from home. Then you have the peace of mind that safety and fit will be in your control.

 

[disneydude]

Yes, Gubner Bush vetoed the booster seat law. However, the Nat. Highway saftey commission reccomends all children under 80 pounds be placed in a booster.

 

[beattyfamily]

Although, 80 pounds could be a pretty big kid who will not want to sit in a booster seat due being embarrassed that he's too old!

Just a thought.

 

[lindaso]

A booster seat is recommended for a child until he can sit with his knees bending at the end of the seat with feet flat on the floor. I would definitely bring your booster seat with you. I wouldn't trust renting a seat that you don't know the history of...was it in an accident? Is it too old? Also, I would try to gate check your seat. I would want as little handling as possible by the baggage handlers who throw luggage at every turn.

JMHO

Linda

 

[Planogirl]

I had no idea that Florida tried to pass a law like this. Under 9 years old? My son rode in the back seat of a friend's vehicle just this year while we were in Florida. He is 8 and the seat belt seemed to fit just fine. There are also clasps that you can purchase that hold the harness closer to the lap belt that some people use.

What if they pass the law and visitors don't know about it?