Car seat and seat belt laws for children vary from state to state and often require children to be in a child safety seat or booster seat until they are a certain age or size. In most states law enforcement officers will issue a ticket or citation to the operator of a motor vehicle in which a child is not properly restrained in a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt, as required by state law.
Laws regarding child safety restraints required in motor vehicles are usually located in a state’s statutes. And the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) makes the following recommendations:
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 2–4.
o 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.
o Check the car seat manual and labels on the car seat for weight and height limits.
• After outgrowing the rear-facing car seat, use a forward-facing car seat until at least age 5.
o When children outgrow their rear-facing car seats, they should be buckled in a forward-facing car seat, in the back seat, until they reach the upper weight or height limit of their car seat.
o Check the car seat manual and labels on the car seat for weight and height limits.
• After outgrowing the forward-facing car seat, use a booster seat until seat belts fit properly.
o Once children outgrow their forward-facing car seat, they should be buckled in a belt-positioning booster seat, in the back seat, until seat belts fit properly. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs (not the stomach) and the shoulder belt lays across the chest (not the neck).
• Once seat belts fit properly without a booster seat, use a seat belt on every trip.
o Children no longer need to use a booster seat once seat belts fit them properly. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs (not the stomach) and the shoulder belt lays across the chest (not the neck).
o Proper seat belt fit usually occurs when children are about 4 feet 9 inches tall and aged 9–12 years. Seat belt fit can vary by vehicle so check fit in all vehicles. For the best possible protection, keep children properly buckled in the back seat.
Install and use car seats and booster seats according to the car seat manual. You can get help installing them from a certified child passenger safety technician.
Buckle all children aged 12 and under in the back seat.
• Buckle children in the middle seating position of the back seat when possible (using a lap and shoulder belt), as it is the safest position in the vehicle.
• Airbags can kill young children riding in the front seat. Never place a rear-facing car seat in front of an airbag.
• Buckle children in car seats, booster seats, or seat belts on every trip, no matter how short the trip.
• Set a good example and help protect everyone in the car by always using your seat belt.
In North Dakota, child passenger safety laws require that children under the age of 8 must ride in a federally approved car seat or booster seat, unless they are 4 feet 9 inches or taller. Children younger than 8 but taller than 4 feet 9 inches must be properly secured with the vehicle's seat belt. Children ages 8 through 17 must use a seat belt. It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that all passengers under 18 are properly secured. North Dakota law also states that all children under the age of 13 should ride in the back seat. These regulations align with the CDC's recommendations, which emphasize the importance of using the appropriate car seat, booster seat, or seat belt based on the child's age, height, and weight. Failure to comply with these laws can result in fines and points against the driver's license. It is important for drivers to refer to the car seat manual and vehicle owner's manual for proper installation and fit, and to consult with a certified child passenger safety technician if needed.
