Florida car seat law?

[QueenTriton]

Well, you are all so helpful ... maybe someone can help with this. We are renting a car in Florida and spending 4 days other than on the cruise. What is Florida's car seat law? Our kids are 4 and 7 and both over 40 pounds. I don't like rental car company car seats, so I need to know if I need to pack seats or boosters for either or both kids.

Thanks!

 

[3mickeys&me]

We travel to Florida a few times a year, I also rent booster seats for my kids. In our state its age 8 or 80lbs to be out of a booster seat. My kids are light weights and are still in boosters.

Here is what I found for you online, hope it helps:

http://www.dot.state.fl.us/safety/HighwaySafetyGrantProgram/hsgp/HSGPAreas_OccupantFAQ.htm#Florida's%20Child

 

[aprilgail2]

We travel to Florida a few times a year, I also rent booster seats for my kids. In our state its age 8 or 80lbs to be out of a booster seat. My kids are light weights and are still in boosters.

Here is what I found for you online, hope it helps:

http://www.carseatlawyer.com/laws/index.cfm

I dont think that site is current...for NY it says "3 yrs. and younger in all seats" and they recently passed a law where all kids 7 and under must be in booster seats here. I know parents in my daughter kindergarten class had all gotten rid of their seats when the kids turned 4 and they had to go out and buy boosters now!

On the florida DOTs website it says for Florida..
4. What is Florida's Child Restraint Law?

All children 5 years of age or younger must be properly restrained no matter where they are sitting in the vehicle. Children through age 3 must be secured in a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child safety seat. For children aged 4 through 5 years, a separate carrier, an integrated child safety seat, or a safety belt may be used. (FL Statute 316.613

 

[lbgraves]

That site is definitely not up to date. NC passed a new law a few months ago that kids need to be 8 or 80 lbs to get out of a booster seat.

 

[SandraLee]

Forget about what the Law is in FL . . . I would bring (baggage check) the boosters and use them. If you use them at home, you should use them on vacation. Especially, since you are going to be there for a few days and having a rental car.

Just because they are legal, doesn't mean they are safe.

I need a booster for my 6 year old for the 40 minute ride to the ship. We do not need one on the return voyage. I'm thinking of risking it and renting one with the car rental agency. I just have to be willing to take the risk the booster will not be there and I'm not sure I can do that.

 

[3mickeys&me]

When I make my car reservation I asked to reserve the boosters seats at that time and have never had a problem. Or like the previous posted said you could always bring your own and check them.

 

[aprilgail2]

I am packing mine with me. My daughter will be 6 soon and its the first time I am letting her fly without being in the car seat and 5 point harness! Last year both time we went to Florida she was in the car seat with the 5 point harness. She actually still uses that even though she is over 5 because she is only 36 pounds and that means sitting in one of those seats but I am going to let her just use the seat belt on the plane this year. It always made me nuts seeing people letting 2 or 3 year olds just sit in the plane seat without being fastened intheir car seats! I am sending the car seat through with the luggage this time but I will have it with us for the limo ride to the airport here and then for hte rental car there.

 

[QueenTriton]

Thanks for all the info. Looks like I'll do what I do here -- booster for the 4 year old, even though under FLA law he doesn't need it. I wanted to make sure that the 7 didn't need one there, since she doesn't here. We'll take ours, though, as the ones I've rented have been less than sanitary looking in the past. We always planned on taking one for the 4 year old. It is not only safer, but helps with motion sickness as well.

 

[ErinC]

You might try purchasing one of these portable car seats. It would sure save on space, and might be cheaper than renting. Check out this link for One Step Ahead...

http://www.onestepahead.com/jump.js...itemType=PRODUCT&iProductID=313766&change=117

I've also seen them on Ebay too.

 

[SandraLee]

Not applicable for a child in a booster over 40 pounds. And, I'd never use it for a child under 40 pounds. Looks scarey to me.

 

[jennat]

There is a wal-mart in Orlando. Why not go and buy one of the Costco booster seats. They are great and are $15.00 at least in Denver. You could fold something(a blanket, towel, a couple pairs of jeans) under them to lift them so the car seatbelt hits them properly on the way there. This was actually a suggestion (believe it or not) from my pediatricians office if you don't have a car seat. You may have to figure out the getting there part but buying one for 15 is a lot cheaper than renting one per day.

 

[QueenTriton]

We have a booster that is pretty easy to take and the airline has always checked it without a problem, so we'll go ahead and take it with us.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[JennsBabySky]

For your 7 year old, you may want to bring your booster. Here are the guidelines for readiness:

Children are not ready to be in a regular lap/shoulder seatbelt until:

They are tall enough so that their legs bend at the knees at the edge of the seat; and
They are mature enough to remain seated with their backs flat against the back of the seat and not slouch; and
The lap belt sits high on the thighs or low on the hips (NOT on their tummy!); and
The shoulder belt crosses the shoulder and chest (NOT on their arms or neck!)

So, a child might not need it in one car and could need a booster in the next car. Since you won't know exactly which model car you'll have, it is better to be safe than sorry! Only a handful of 7 year olds should meet this test consistently in most cars.