Booster Seat Requirements By State
So often we are asked the question: When should (or can) I switch my child into a booster seat? While all states and territories of the US require child safety seats, there are varying requirements for each that are based on age, weight, and height. The three stages are rear-facing, front-facing, and finally booster seats – all with different requirements and recommendations based on your region, and sometimes, the manufacturer of your seat. While some aspects of child safety seats are up to your discretion, the legality is not up for debate – and is punishable by fines ranging from $10 to $500 and in some cases by deducting points from your driver's license. So whether you plan to travel by car through one or several states, will be using a rental in an unfamiliar place, or are simply unsure about the specifics in your own state; this is your ultimate guide to ensuring you’re in compliance with the requirements.
Let’s start with several states that share the same law: Utah, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Arizona, and Minnesota. All four states have an unwavering requirement that any child under 7 years old and 57” tall must be secured into a booster seat. This means that even if your child exceeds 7 years of age, they’re still required to use a booster until they also surpass 57” tall. Maryland, on the other hand, allows children under 8 to be secured in a booster if they are taller than 57”.
Nevada shares the 57” requisite but differs by allowing any child under 6 years old that meets the height criteria, while California, North Dakota, Texas, Georgia, New Jersey and Michigan all raise it to 8 years old and 57” tall.
The next few have a far more relaxed requirement. Colorado, New York, Idaho, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Hawaii all say the child can start being secured in a booster seat at age 4 and must remain in one until age 7 regardless of their height and weight. Florida, Nebraska, Alabama and Iowa lower that age to 5; while Wyoming, South Carolina and Indiana raise the bar to 8 years old.
Arizona brings the minimum age of starting in a booster up to 5 and requires the child to stay secured in one until 7 years old and under 57” tall.
Washington says you have to be at least 4 years old to use a booster seat and must remain in one until you’ve hit 4’9”.
North Carolina requires any child under 7 and under 80 lbs. to be secured in a booster seat, while Delaware allows children at 7 years old over 66 lbs. to go without. Oklahoma starts allowing children to use them at 4 years old, and only allows them to go without once they’ve reached 7 years old and 4’9” tall. Kansas and Missouri also say 4-7 year-olds and those under 80lbs should be in a booster seat, but differ slightly in height requirements: Kansas being 4’7” and Missouri being 4’9”.
South Dakota and Arkansas both say that children must be at least 5 to be in a booster, but differ by additional weight requirements – South Dakota’s being those under 40lbs must remain in the seat, Arkanasas’ being under 60lbs. Conneticuit shares the rule of being at least 5 years old, but says those over 60lbs are exempt despite their age.
Louisiana, Tennessee, Missisippi, Alaska, and Ohio all require children to be at least 4 year old prior to being secured in a booster seat legally but differ in the specifics of their further rules. Louisana says children who are at least 8 and have outgrown their booster seats limit of height or weight can go without, while Tennessee says those over 8 must also be taller than 4’9”. Mississipi requires children to be 6 years old and under 57” tall or under 65lbs to remain in their booster seats. Alaska ups the ante by requiring any 15 year old who isn’t 64lbs or over 57” tall to be secured in a booster, while Ohio lets any 7 year old that’s over 40lbs and under 4’9” go without.
Kentucky, West Virginia, Vermont, and Rhode Island all share the age of 7 for the minimum age to be seated in a car without a booster. Kentucky requires those over 7 who don’t exceed 57” to remain in their booster, and says any child who isn’t 40” or taller cannot move to a booster seat from car seat yet. West Virgina allows children under 7 years old to be buckled in the backseat without a booster as long as they’re taller than 4’9”. Vermont requires any child under 20 lbs. to wait to be moved into a booster regardless of age. Rhode Island says any child over 7 who doesn’t exceed 57” tall and 80 lbs. needs to remain in their booster, as well.
Montana and New Mexico both say any child 6 years old and under wo don’t weigh more than 60 lbs. must be in a booster, and New Mexico tightens the requirements by saying any child under 5 isn’t suited for the switch from a car seat.
Oregon says any child under 8, over 40 lbs. or under 4’9” tall must be in a booster seat.
Maine simply says any child over 2 and less than 55 lbs. can be in a booster unless they exceed the manufacturers height limit, leaving much to the parents discretion.
We hope you learned a lot and made your future plans easier with this guide, and as always, safety is our #1 priority – That’s Bambi Baby’s motivation behind all of the educational content we provide, both here on our blog and through our videos on Instagram, Youtube, and TikTok. Make sure to check daily for more helpful tips and information, and to pick out your ideal booster seat on BambiBaby.com.