However florida still doesnt follow the american academy of pediatrics recommendations which state that children should be restrained in booster seats until they are at least 4 9 tall. Except for florida and south dakota all us states and the district of columbia and puerto rico require children who do not properly fit into adult seat. It only uses age as the determining factor for child car seat use. Since laws regarding the childs height weight and age vary by state be sure to use the map above to find laws applying to your state. Florida state law does not stipulate height and weight requirements for child restraints. Most experts believe your child is ready for a booster seat when they outgrow the weight or height limit for their forward facing car seat.
Before switching to a booster seat the safest thing to do is make sure your child meets all of these milestones. Does my older child still need to use a booster seat. However fl does not detail car or booster seat weight or height requirements. It is a proven fact that children are significantly safer in a booster seat until they are 49 tall. According to florida state law children between the ages of four and five should be in an approved safety restraint or booster seat depending on the childs weight and height. You may be able to avoid the points on your license by attending a car seat safety course but that is at the discretion of the judge in the county where your.
Safety experts also recommend that children use a booster seat at this age. Their weight has no bearing on this requirement. Josephs childrens hospital said the magic number is not weight or age. Ages 8 to 12 when a child has outgrown the weight and height limits for a. This is normally around age four and a weight of 40 pounds. The current recommendations are.
Florida law doesnt restrict children under 49 from transitioning to a cars safety seat provided of course that the child is over the age of five. Bevin maynard child advocacy supervisor at st. If your child or another child in your vehicle is not properly using a car seat or booster seat per the above florida laws you may receive a 60 fine and 3 points against your license. In fl anyone who operates a motor vehicle with a child passenger younger than six years old must secure himher in a federally approved child restraint. This occurs at weights of up to 85 pounds and a height of at least 35 inches. Usually the maximum weight limit is between 40 and 65 pounds.
However the american academy of pediatrics aap does provide child restraint recommendations that are periodically updated. That said safety experts recommend that children should continue to use the forward facing seat until they exceed the weight or height limit of the seat. The seat should have the weight and height limits listed. Children age 4 and 5 must be in a separate carrier integrated child seat or booster seat. Children ages 0 to 3 must be in child restraint devices of a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturers integrated child seat.
Gallery of Florida Front Seat Laws Height And Weight
