California Child Car Seat Laws

Having children is a big responsibility and one of the things you have to focus on as a parent is keeping them safe from harm. There are many ways to do that, including using a car seat anytime they’re in the vehicle. Even if you’re just going down the street or around the block, a car seat or booster seat is required.

Understanding the laws around car seats matters since there’s more than one kind of seat. You need to know how to install and remove the seat correctly and which car seat is suitable for the age and size of your child. Many seats are based on height and weight limits, along with the age of the child.

You can work with a child passenger safety technician to ensure the seat belt is placed correctly on your rear-facing car seat, forward-facing car seat, or booster seat, so you can have peace of mind knowing your child is protected.

Here’s what you should know about car seat laws in California.

Overview of California Child Car Seat Laws

Infants and children riding in vehicles on California roadways must be in car or booster seats. These laws were updated in 2017 and have remained in effect and unchanged. If you’re not sure how to properly install your car seat or whether you’re choosing the right one for your child, the California Highway Patrol can help.

They provide parents with information about the car seat laws in the state so they know whether to choose an infant car seat, something larger, or a booster seat. Having the right size and type of seat is vital to protecting your child during an accident. The law is also very clear on the specific requirements for car seats, so parents have the proper protection for their children.

Rental and Ridesharing Car Seat Laws

Rideshare drivers will refuse to take passengers with children if the children don’t have the appropriate car seats. Additionally, a rental company won’t release a car to someone who has a child with them and doesn’t have a proper seat, but they will provide one if the parent doesn’t have their own. The reason behind these decisions is liability.

The rideshare company and driver don’t want to break the law or take the risk of a child being hurt because they weren’t in a car seat. The same is true for a rental company, as giving vehicle access to people who need the proper car seats for their children would be taking a big risk.

Rental companies have to provide car seats, but rideshare drivers aren’t obligated to provide car seats for children. If you’re renting a car or using a rideshare service, and you have children who need a car seat or booster seat, it’s important to make that known and make proper arrangements or bring a seat.

Age and Weight Requirements for Child Car Seats

There are specific age and weight limits for a car seat, along with height requirements. Children in California have to sit in the vehicle’s back seat until they are at least 4’9″ tall or eight years of age, and they have to be in a car seat or booster seat until that time, too.

Until a child is 40 inches tall or weighs 40 pounds, they have to sit in a rear-facing car seat. When they pass one or both of those milestones, they can then sit in a forward-facing car seat, but they still have to be in the back seat.

It’s important to keep your child in a forward-facing car seat until they outgrow it, at which time they’re ready for a booster seat. There are no specific height and weight limits, but it typically happens when the child is approximately 65 pounds.

Children cannot legally ride in the car’s front seat until they are eight years old or have reached at least 4’9″ in height. Either of those milestones qualifies, and the child doesn’t have to reach both to qualify. While meeting the age requirement is enough, children are still safer in a booster seat until they’re over 4’9″ tall.

The only exception to the back seat rule is for vehicles that don’t have a back seat. If you own a single-cab pickup truck or a two-seater car, for example, you can legally put your child’s car seat in the front seat because there is no other option.

Types of Child Car Seats Recognized by the Law

The State of California is very strict about the kinds of car seat parents can use and the height and weight limits for children using those seats. Because of that, parents will want to clearly understand their options, so they can choose the right seat that’s safe and compliant.

• Rear-Facing Infant Car Seats: A rear-facing car seat is for infants and more minor children. Most children are in these rear-facing seats until around two years of age. If your child is small for their age, they might be in this kind of seat for extended periods. They must weigh 40 pounds or be 40 inches tall before returning to a forward-facing seat.
• Forward-Facing Car Seats: After a child reaches 40 pounds or 40 inches tall, they can sit in a forward-facing car seat in the back seat of a vehicle. These seats are more prominent, giving your child good protection as they grow taller. Most children are in this seat until they reach around 65 pounds, but that’s not a specific rule, and every child is different.
• Booster Seats: Booster seats are for children who are typically more than 65 pounds but haven’t yet reached eight years of age or at least 4’9″ in height. The law requires parents to keep children who have outgrown a forward-facing car seat in a booster seat until they meet the height or age requirement to use a seat belt by itself.
• Seat Belts: Seat belt laws are in place in California, and when your child no longer needs a car seat or booster seat, they will be required to wear their seat belt. This is true whether they’re in a vehicle’s front or back seat. Seat belts are extremely important in protecting you and your children during a traffic accident.

Penalties for Violating a Car Seat Law

If you violate the car seat laws, you can be fined $100 for a first offense and $250 for a second offense. Economically disadvantaged parents may have their fines waived in some cases and be required to attend a class on car seat education instead.

Exemptions and Special Circumstances

There are some exemptions and special circumstances where a child can legally travel without being in a car seat. However, parents need to understand when these exemptions apply and any risks that come with this travel.

• Medical Exemptions: Parents may legally travel without putting their child in that seat if there are serious medical reasons why a child can’t be transported in a standard car seat. This must be documented in case they’re pulled over or ticketed. Parents with children needing medical exemptions can work with their child’s doctor to ensure they’re covered under the law.
• School Transportation and Buses: When children ride the school bus, they aren’t in car seats. This is an exception to the car seat law. In fact, many of the older school buses on the road today don’t even have seat belts, but more of them are being produced with belts that will offer at least some protection for children who are traveling by bus.
• Carpooling and Multiple Children : No matter the number of children you have or are traveling with, they need to be in car seats if they don’t meet height and weight limits to ride without those seats. While it can be a hassle to take car seats in and out of your vehicle or to have an extra car seat, you could still be fined if you’re transporting kids who aren’t properly restrained.

Common Defenses in Car Seat Violation Cases

The most common defenses in cases of car seat violation are that the parent didn’t know the rules or they can’t afford a car seat for their child. Some programs help parents get car seats, and the California Highway Patrol can provide information and assistance with adequately installing the car seat for safety.

Talk to Our Personal Injury Lawyers at JDW Personal Injury To Guide You With California Child Car Seat Laws

If you have questions about car seat laws in California, JDW Personal Injury can help. That’s true whether you’ve been ticketed for not using a car seat or need more information regarding car seat use and the law.

Reach out to us today for a consultation, and let us help you navigate the California car seat laws, to help keep your children safe and secure.