No child under the age of 13 should sit in the front seat according to the centers for disease control and prevention. Use a rear facing infant or rear facing convertible safety seat as long as possible up to the rear facing height or weight limit of the seat. Properly install according to instructions in owners manual rear facing in the back seat. Some states dont specifically list age height or weight requirements for sitting in the front seat but they do specify that children should reach 4 feet 9 inches before using an adult seat belt. A seat belt may not fit properly at this height. Although this means that some larger infants and toddlers might have to graduate to a rear facing convertible car seat there are several models of infant only.
In maryland a childs height can change the requirements so make sure you take into account the legal requirements in combination with the car or booster. This may result in many children riding rear facing to age 2 or older ages 4 through 7 keep children in a forward facing seat with a harness to the maximum height and weight limit allowed by the seat. Make sure children are properly buckled in a car seat booster seat or seat belt whichever is appropriate for their weight height and age. Use a rear facing car seat from birth until ages 24. Infants and toddlers should ride in a rear facing car seat infant only rear facing car seat or rear facing convertible car seat until they are 2 years old or until they have reached the weight and height limits of their car seat. Booster seat and car seat age minimums are indicated within the law but you must also always review the weight and height restrictions set by the car seat or booster seat manufacturer.
3 a person violating subsection 1 of this section may be issued a notice of traffic infraction under chapter 4663 rcw. Generally children must be at least 4 feet 9 inches tall before they stop using a car seat. They should remain rear facing until the height and weight limit for rear facing use on that seat has been reached. A child over 8 years of age or 57 inches in height must be properly secured by a seat belt. Children under age 1 should always ride in a rear facing car seat. Height limits also vary.
If there are no rear seats the child shall be secured as described above in the front seat except that no child shall be secured in a rear facing seat in the front seat of any vehicle that is equipped with an active passenger side airbag. If the person to whom the notice was issued presents proof of acquisition of an approved child passenger restraint system or a child booster seat as appropriate within seven days to the jurisdiction issuing the notice and the person has not previously had a violation of. For the best possible protection infants and toddlers should be buckled in a rear facing car seat in the back seat until they reach the maximum weight and height limits of their car seat. Even if a 13 year old weighs more than 150 pounds they may still need to use a booster seat if theyre under 4 feet 9 inches tall. Weight limits for most seats range from 2065 pounds lb.
Gallery of Front Seat Weight Height
