Frequently Asked Questions Q - My son is 7 years old and is 58 inches tall. Is he required to ride in a booster seat? Although he is only 7 years old, he is over 57 inches tall and requires only a properly fitted seat belt. Q - My daughter is 8 years old but only weighs 76 pounds. Does she need a booster seat? Note: While the children described above are exempt from the child restraint law, the seat belt may not fit them properly. A - Use the seat belt fit test on all children under 13 years of age to be sure they are big enough to safely use the adult seat belt without a booster seat.
Have the child sit all the way back on the vehicle seat. Check to see if the knees bend naturally at the seat edge.
If they do, continue the test. If they do not - the child should continue to ride in a booster seat. Buckle the lap and shoulder belt. If it lays across the upper thighs, move on to the next step.
If it does not, the child should continue to ride in a booster seat. Be sure the shoulder belt lies on the shoulder or collarbone and is not cutting into the neck. If it lies on the shoulder, move to the next step. If it is on the face or neck, the child should continue to ride in a booster seat. Be sure that your child can maintain the correct seating position for as long as you are in the car.
If your child begins to slouch or shift position so the safety belt contacts the face, neck, or abdomen, the child should continue to ride a booster seat until all the steps can be met. Child Passenger Safety Law. Safety Seat Law. Product Recalls. Seat Check Schedule. Find a Technician. Legislation - P. Title Any child under the age of 8 years old and a height of 57 inches shall be secured as follows in the rear seat of a motor vehicle:.
