State Car Seat Laws

[spare+a_pair]

We will be driving to WDW in 6 months with our 3 DS's who will be 10, 5, & 5. I am planning to have the twins in booster seats at that time, but was wondering about the car seat laws from state to state. Did anyone else worry about this, or am I the only one?

We are travelling from TX - which I know is 5 years old and 39" to be out of the seat. My boys have already passed that height, but I feel safer with them in a booster.

We will pass through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and go into Flordia - anyone know the laws?

Thanks!

 

[dizneechic]

Here's a map updated as of May 2009 of lawns by state:
http://www.iihs.org/laws/ChildRestraint.aspx

Even better, one with more of a breakdown:
http://www.elitecarseats.com/custserv/custserv.jsp?pageName=car_seat_laws

 

[TheDizMom]

I wouldn't worry about the laws if you plan to have them in the seats anyway. You can't be breaking any laws if you have them in boosters already.

 

[kc10family]

I would not worry about it much.
1- You are from TX and can just print out a TX law and leave it in your car.
2- Your plates say TX so you can tell them you are following TX state law.
3- I am sure outside of something very wacky... you will be fine.

CA says age 6 and 60 lbs before you can be w/o something and my DD is 7 and only 52 lbs and we put her in a booster when we can.

Don't stress, I think you will be fine.

enjoy your trip

 

[tanyaandallie]

If you have your 5 year olds in boosters you will be fine. No state has a law that requires a 10 year old be in a booster seat. However, if your child needs a booster, I'd leave him in one.

FYI, the law is soon to change in Texas!!!

 

[here757]

Here's a map updated as of May 2009 of lawns by state:
http://www.iihs.org/laws/ChildRestraint.aspx

Even better, one with more of a breakdown:
http://www.elitecarseats.com/custserv/custserv.jsp?pageName=car_seat_laws

interesting... both sites have different answers for VA.
i would rely on the first link.. the second looks like it belongs to a carseat company

 

[WantToGoNow]

1- You are from TX and can just print out a TX law and leave it in your car.
2- Your plates say TX so you can tell them you are following TX state law.

Your children are in boosters so you will be fine but the above is not correct. Once you cross the state border into another state you are required to follow THEIR laws, not the law in your home state.

 

[lil mermaid]

I would not worry about it much.
1- You are from TX and can just print out a TX law and leave it in your car.
2- Your plates say TX so you can tell them you are following TX state law.
3- I am sure outside of something very wacky... you will be fine.

CA says age 6 and 60 lbs before you can be w/o something and my DD is 7 and only 52 lbs and we put her in a booster when we can.

Don't stress, I think you will be fine.

enjoy your trip

What are you talking about? Once the OP crosses the Texas state line, she is bound by the laws of the state she is in - not the one she lives in.

Actually, the Texas state law is under 5 years old AND 36 inches. It is probably the weakest child safety seat law in the country.

 

[MSSANDRA]

And remember the LAW and what is the SAFEST choice for your child my be very different. I tell the kids that the law is NOT why we choose our car seats. We choose to be safe. In NC the law says 8 years or 80 lbs. DGS can come out of his 5 point harness now at 37 inches and 34 lbs BUT he will be in a five point till I can not find one big enough for him. Top end models go up to 80 lbs or so!

 

[kc10family]

Your children are in boosters so you will be fine but the above is not correct. Once you cross the state border into another state you are required to follow THEIR laws, not the law in your home state.

What are you talking about? Once the OP crosses the Texas state line, she is bound by the laws of the state she is in - not the one she lives in.

Actually, the Texas state law is under 5 years old AND 36 inches. It is probably the weakest child safety seat law in the country.

SO I guess everyone who travels across state lines should make sure they have booster seats, car seats etc in the event in state A the law is for a 5 year old and state B the same law is for a 6 year old.

Give me a break, I am sure that the police are not going to have major issues if you are following the law of the state you are from while traveling through a different state.

 

[marius97]

Give me a break, I am sure that the police are not going to have major issues if you are following the law of the state you are from while traveling through a different state.

Sorry...but cops WILL have an issue with a kid in the wrong type of seat. Being from a different state doesn't help at all. Next time you drive through a state with slower speed limits, drive faster and see if that excuse gets you out of a ticket.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Here's a map updated as of May 2009 of lawns by state:
http://www.iihs.org/laws/ChildRestraint.aspx

Even better, one with more of a breakdown:
http://www.elitecarseats.com/custserv/custserv.jsp?pageName=car_seat_laws

Those are great links thanks for posting them. Despite the laws of any given state I hope that parents will do what is safe rather than what is easy.

 

[Bren's Mom]

To clear up a few things:

1) The IIHS and the other links are fine for general reference but may not entirely accurate for each state or may be somewhat misleading. It's a better idea to google 'statename car seat law' and find a response with a .gov tag for the specific state you're looking for. Some car seats statutes fall under DMV or BMV in some states, sometimes it's under the DOT, sometimes it's on the governor's main site.

2) It is NOT true that there is no state in which a 10 year old might be required to be in a booster. CT, for example, requires children be BOTH 7 years old AND over 60lbs. IF a 10 yr old were very tiny, 58lbs let's say, they would be required BY LAW in CT to be in a booster.

3) You ARE required to follow EVERY motor vehicle law in any state you are traveling in. Car seat law, right turn on red law, speed limit law, etc.

4) For op; you will never be in the wrong for going above and beyond any state's statute for car seats/booster seats. Those are minimums set by each state. It's awesome you have your 5 yo's in a booster still even if your state's law doesn't require it. Continue to use them for you trip.

 

[lil mermaid]

SO I guess everyone who travels across state lines should make sure they have booster seats, car seats etc in the event in state A the law is for a 5 year old and state B the same law is for a 6 year old.

Give me a break, I am sure that the police are not going to have major issues if you are following the law of the state you are from while traveling through a different state.

No state has exemptions to the law for people who live in another state. That is a fact.

 

[kc10family]

Wow I didn't know this section was full of Officers of the Law. Thanks for the FYI

 

[MSSANDRA]

Give me a break, I am sure that the police are not going to have major issues if you are following the law of the state you are from while traveling through a different state.

Well, if you come through NC ( 8yrs/or 80lb) and you happen to be stopped by our officer friend that lives with the memories of removing a dead 5 year old from a crash she would have surivied in a boster seat, I promise you will get a ticket and a long talk.

 

[copwife92]

SO I guess everyone who travels across state lines should make sure they have booster seats, car seats etc in the event in state A the law is for a 5 year old and state B the same law is for a 6 year old.

Give me a break, I am sure that the police are not going to have major issues if you are following the law of the state you are from while traveling through a different state.

My husband often says that ignorance is not an excuse

 

[LWatson]

OP If you are using them anyway I would say you are fine. Just like someone else said if you are going above and beyond the law (taking it as a suggestion for the least you should do...Like 1&20) you will be good.

 

[lil mermaid]

Wow I didn't know this section was full of Officers of the Law. Thanks for the FYI

The OP was asking a question, and you gave her erroneous information. We officers can't let that happen!

 

[3babyws]

interesting... both sites have different answers for VA.
i would rely on the first link.. the second looks like it belongs to a carseat company

The second car seat site actually has the correct VA info. The age is 8 in VA not 7. Another cop's wife here.