No child under the age of 13 should sit in the front seat according to the centers for disease control and prevention. A seat belt may not fit properly at this height. Different laws in the different states. Booster seat laws are included in the car seat rules because booster seats are also federally approved child restraint systems. The ridesafer travel vest qualifies for children 3 and older. Car seat laws in maryland require all children younger than 8 years old to use the appropriate child restraint system based on the childs age weight and height.
All children must be properly restrained in a federally approved child safety seat appropriate for the childs age weight and height up to 8 years of age or 65 lbs. Generally children must be at least 4 feet 9 inches tall before they stop using a car seat. Height limits also vary. 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. Typical regulations states that use height as a requirement for sitting in the front seat most often specify 4 feet 9 inches as the minimum suggested front seat height. According to michigan car seat laws children under the age of 8 and less than 4 feet 9 inches in height must ride in a car seat or booster seat.
The following information from the aap offers guidance on choosing the most appropriate car seat for your child. Use a rear facing car seat from birth until ages 24. See best practice recommendations. Different states have varying laws about children sitting in the front seat of your car. Although your child may be of acceptable height weight and age there are other things to consider that are equally important. Weight limits for most seats range from 2065 pounds lb.
However once a child reaches the age of 8 or grows to be taller than 49 then he or she no longer needs to ride in them. 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. Make sure children are properly buckled in a car seat booster seat or seat belt whichever is appropriate for their weight height and age. 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. All 50 states the district of columbia guam the northern mariana islands and the virgin islands have laws in place for infants and children requiring proper child safety seats. One of the most important jobs you have as a parent is keeping your child safe when riding in a vehicle.