Children between the ages of 3 and 4 who are at least 40 pounds are good candidates for booster seats as long as the lap and shoulder belt fits properly when the child is seatedthe child should be able to sit comfortably for the entire trip without altering his position by sitting on his knees or leaning forward. Integrated child restraint or booster seat. If a child is more than 4 years old but not yet 8 years old but exceeds the height and weight requirements in the preceding paragraph they may ride in a seatbelt. A quick guide to child car seats in maryland. Car seat laws in dc md and va updated july 1 2019. Infants should ride in a rear facing safety seat minimally until they are at least 1 year old and at least 20 pounds.
The requirements of this chapter may be satisfied by securing a child in. Children aged between eight and 16 years old can choose to use a child booster seat or the regular seat belt but one or the other is required. Keep your child in a forward facing car seat with a harness and tether until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seats manufacturer. The child weighs between 22 to 30 pounds forward facing with 5 point harness. A child weighs between 30 to 65 pounds high back. Exceptions to the age minimum can be made for children who are 4 feet 9 inches or taller.
Booster seats use after outgrowing a forward facing harnessed restraint. Maryland car seat law last checkedupdated 111719. According to the national highway traffic safety administration nhtsa babies are safest in a rear facing seat between birth and 12 months of age while children may use a forward facing restraint once they outgrow their rear facing model. Booster seats must be used with both lap and shoulder belts. 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. A child weighs between 4 and 30 pounds and is 30 inches or less in height rear facing child seat with 5 point harness.
Height and weight do not matter just age. Car and booster seat age height and weight requirements vary by product type and manufacturer. Maryland child car seat safety laws require all children younger than eight years old to use a child restraint system based on the childs weight and height. Does my older child still need to use a booster seat. 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. Use a forward facing car seat until at least age 4 and until your child reaches the height or weight limit of their seat.
That can be anywhere from 60 to 100 pounds 272 to 454kg depending on. Booster seats are for older children who have outgrown their forward facing seats. Safest to remain in a booster until 4 feet 9 inches tall or at least age 8 whichever comes first. All children whose weight or height exceeds the forward facing limit for their car seat should use a belt positioning booster seat until seat belts fit properly typically when they have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are 8 to 12 years of age.