State law hub
Booster Seat Laws by State (2026)
Booster seat laws vary across the United States. Use this hub to start with official sources and state-specific pages.
Important
State law is the minimum, not always the safest choice
Some states allow seat belt use earlier than NHTSA, CDC, or AAP guidance would recommend. Each state page separates legal requirements from safety best practice.
Coverage
50-state booster seat law table
This hub now includes all 50 states. Five high-priority states are backed by official state agency or statute links. The remaining states are built from GHSA's child passenger law summary, which GHSA says was reviewed by State Highway Safety Offices in June 2025 and last updated in October 2025, plus Safe Kids state tracker links for follow-up. Treat index-sourced states as a strong starting point, not final legal advice.
| State | Age rule | Height / weight | Fine | Verified | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Up to 1 year old or 20 pounds must use a rear-facing seat | 1 year or 20 pounds to 5 years or 40 pounds in a forward-facing seat | At least 5 years or 40 pounds to use a booster seat. | Booster seats until the child is six years of age. | Height: No height threshold listed in GHSA summary. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Alabama |
| Alaska | Under 1 yr in a rear-facing car seat | Over 1 yr and less than 20 lbs in a rear-facing car seat | 1 yr to under 5 yrs in an appropriate car seat or booster seat | 5 to under 8 yrs and less than 4' 9" (57") tall and less than 65 lbs in an appropriate car seat or booster seat | Drivers must ensure all children under 16 are properly secured in a car seat, booster seat, or seat belt | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Alaska |
| Arizona | 4 yrs or under 5-7 yrs and under 57" tall | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: No weight threshold listed in GHSA summary. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Arizona |
| Arkansas | 5 yrs and under and under 60 lbs | Height: No height threshold listed in GHSA summary. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Arkansas |
| California | Under 8 in an appropriate child passenger restraint system; ages 8 through 15 must be in an appropriate restraint or safety belt. | Height: A child under 8 who is at least 4'9" may use a safety belt instead of a child restraint system. Weight: Under 2 must ride rear-facing unless 40+ lb or 40+ inches; otherwise follow manufacturer height/weight limits. | Base fine commonly cited as $100 first violation and $250 subsequent; local penalty assessments may increase total cost. | 2026-07-23 | View California |
| Colorado | Under 2 yr and under 40 lbs in rear-facing child restraint | More than 40 lbs may ride forward-facing; 2–3 years and at least 20 pounds may ride in either a rear or forward-facing child restraint | 4-8 years and at least 40 lbs in child restraint or booster (effective 01/01/25) | 8 and younger must be in the rear seat if available (effective 01/01/25) | Height: No height threshold listed in GHSA summary. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Colorado |
| Connecticut | Under 2 yrs or under 30 lbs in rear-facing restraint system | 2-5 yrs or weighing less than 40 lbs must use a child restraint with a 5-point harness | 5-8 yrs or 40-60 lbs must use a booster or a 5-point harness | Booster seats only with a lap and shoulder belt | Height: No height threshold listed in GHSA summary. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Connecticut |
| Delaware | Under 2 yrs and under 30 lbs in rear-facing car seat | Under 4 yrs and under 40 lbs in a harnessed child safety seat | Under 16 in booster seat until reaching the maximum height or weight limit | 5'5" or less and under 12 yrs in rear seat | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Delaware |
| Florida | Children 5 and younger must use a crash-tested, federally approved child restraint device. | Height: No booster-specific height threshold in the main child-restraint statute. Weight: No booster-specific weight threshold in the main child-restraint statute. | Statutory penalty is a $60 fine plus 3 points unless the court withholds points after an approved safety program. | 2026-07-23 | View Florida |
| Georgia | Under 8 yrs and 57" or shorter in rear seat if available | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: No weight threshold listed in GHSA summary. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Georgia |
| Hawaii | Children under 2 years old must be properly restrained in an approved rear-facing child passenger restraint system. | Children 2 to 4 years old must be properly restrained in an approved rear-facing or forward-facing child passenger restraint system. | Children 4 to 10 years old must be properly restrained in an approved car seat or booster. | Height: No height threshold listed in GHSA summary. Weight: No weight threshold listed in GHSA summary. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Hawaii |
| Idaho | Under 7 years | Height: No height threshold listed in GHSA summary. Weight: No weight threshold listed in GHSA summary. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Idaho |
| Illinois | Under 8 must be properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system. | Height: IDOT/ILSOS guidance points to booster use until seat belt fit, often close to 4'9". Weight: Under 2 must be rear-facing unless 40+ lb or 40+ inches; booster use depends on fit and manufacturer limits. | Child Passenger Protection Act lists $75 first violation and $200 second or subsequent violation. | 2026-07-23 | View Illinois |
| Indiana | 7 years or under | Height: No height threshold listed in GHSA summary. Weight: No weight threshold listed in GHSA summary. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Indiana |
| Iowa | Under 1 yrs and under 20 lbs in rear-facing child seat | 1-5 yrs in child restraint or booster seat | Height: No height threshold listed in GHSA summary. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Iowa |
| Kansas | Under age 4 in an appropriate child restraint | 4-8 years, under 80 pounds or 57” tall in an appropriate child restraint or booster seat | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Kansas |
| Kentucky | 40" or shorter in child restraint 7 yrs or under and between 40" and 57" tall in booster seat | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: No weight threshold listed in GHSA summary. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Kentucky |
| Louisiana | Every driver in this state who transports a child/children under the age of eighteen years shall have the child properly restrained. | Under 2 yrs shall use a rear-facing child safety seat until outgrows the seat by height or weight. | Child at least 2 yrs or older and has reached the rear-facing weight or height limits shall use forward-facing child safety seat with an internal harness until the child reaches the weight or height limit. | Child at least 4 yrs and has outgrown the forward-facing weight or height limits shall be restrained in a belt-positioning child booster seat, secured with a vehicle lap-shoulder seat belt. | Child at least 9 yrs or has outgrown the height or weight limits of a child restraint or belt-positioning child booster seat shall be restrained with the motor vehicle's adult safety belt adjusted and fastened around the child's body to fit correctly. | Child younger than 13 yrs shall be transported in the rear seat of a motor vehicle in the most protective restraint system given the child’s height and weight. | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Louisiana |
| Maine | Under 2 yrs must use a rear-facing child safety seat | Children 55 lbs. or less must ride in a rear or forward-facing child safety seat with a 5-point harness | Under 8 yrs, less than 80 lbs. and 4’ 9” must use a booster seat or child safety seat | Under 12 yrs should be in a back seat | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Maine |
| Maryland | Under 8 yrs unless over 57" tall. Rear-facing until age 2 or until they exceed the height/weight specifications of the manufacturer. | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Maryland |
| Massachusetts | 7 yrs or under and under 57" tall | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: No weight threshold listed in GHSA summary. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Massachusetts |
| Michigan | At least 2 years old in a rear-facing seat or until the child reaches the weight or height limits set by the car seat manufacturer | At least 5 years old in a forward-facing harness seat or until the child reaches the weight or height limits set by the car seat manufacturer | At least 8 years old or 4’9” tall (57”) must be in a booster seat | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Michigan |
| Minnesota | At least 2 yrs in a rear-facing child safety seat until outgrows the seat by height or weight | At least 2 yrs in forward-facing child safety seat if rear-facing seat it too small by height or weight | 4-8 yrs in booster seat if outgrown forward-facing harness seat by height or weight | Under 13 in rear seat if possible * | If a child can be placed in more than one category, then the child must be placed in the more protective category. | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Minnesota |
| Mississippi | Under 4 yrs in child restraint | 4-6 yrs and under 57" tall or under 65 lbs in booster seat | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Mississippi |
| Missouri | Under 4 yrs or under 40 lbs in child safety seat | 4-7 yrs and 40-80 lbs and 4'9" or shorter in child safety seat or booster seat | At least 80 lbs or taller than 4'9" in booster seat or safety belt | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Missouri |
| Montana | Child restraint required | Under 2 years must ride rear-facing | 2-4 yrs rear-facing or forward-facing in a harnessed seat | 5-8 yrs in a harnessed seat or booster | 9 years and older in a booster seat until outgrown, then seat belt | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: No weight threshold listed in GHSA summary. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Montana |
| Nebraska | Under 2 yrs until height or weight limit reached in rear-facing seat | Under 8 yrs in child safety seat and in rear seat if available | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Nebraska |
| Nevada | Under 6 yrs of age and less than 57 inches tall | Under 2 yrs must ride in a rear-facing child safety seat in a back seat | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: No weight threshold listed in GHSA summary. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Nevada |
| New Hampshire | 6 yrs and younger who are 57" or shorter | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: No weight threshold listed in GHSA summary. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View New Hampshire |
| New Jersey | Under 2 yrs and under 30 lbs in rear-facing seat | Under 4 yrs and under 40 lbs until height or weight limit reached in child safety seat | Under 8 yrs and shorter than 57" in forward-facing child safety seat or booster seat until height or weight limit reached in rear seat, if available | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View New Jersey |
| New Mexico | Under 1 yrs in rear-facing seat, in rear seat, if available | 1-4 yrs or under 40 lbs in child safety seat | 5-6 yrs or under 60 lbs in booster seat | Height: No height threshold listed in GHSA summary. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View New Mexico |
| New York | Under 8 must use an appropriate child restraint system; under 2 must ride rear-facing unless seat limits are reached. | Height: NY DMV recommends continuing a child restraint if an 8-year-old is under 4'9". Weight: NY DMV recommends continuing a child restraint if an 8-year-old weighs less than 100 lb; specific seat limits still control use. | Vehicle and Traffic Law 1229-c lists $25 to $100 for relevant violations; additional points/surcharges may apply. | 2026-07-23 | View New York |
| North Carolina | 7 yrs or under and under 80 lbs must be properly secured in a weight-appropriate child restraint | Under 5 and less than 40 lbs must be in the back seat (some exceptions apply) | Height: No height threshold listed in GHSA summary. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View North Carolina |
| North Dakota | Younger than 8 years of age and under 57" | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: No weight threshold listed in GHSA summary. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View North Dakota |
| Ohio | Under 4 yrs or under 40 lbs in child safety seat, following manufacturer instructions | 4-8 yrs, over 40 lbs and under 4'9" tall in booster seat, following manufacturer instructions | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Ohio |
| Oklahoma | Under 2 yrs (or until outgrows the top height or weight recommendations) in rear-facing child restraint | Under 4 yrs in child restraint | 4-7 yrs and shorter than 4'9" in a child restraint or booster seat | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Oklahoma |
| Oregon | Under 2 yrs in a rear-facing child restraint | Properly used child restraint (harness) required until child weight 40 lbs. | Booster required until the child is 8 years old AND the adult seatbelt fits correctly OR the child is 4’9” tall | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Oregon |
| Pennsylvania | Under 2 yrs (or until outgrows the top height or weight recommendations) in rear-facing child restraint | 2-3 yrs in forward-facing child restraint | 4-7 yrs booster seat | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Pennsylvania |
| Rhode Island | 2 yrs or under and under 30 lbs in rear-facing child safety seat | 7 yrs and under and shorter than 57" and under 80 lbs in child restraint | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Rhode Island |
| South Carolina | Under 2 yrs or until height or weight limit reached in rear-facing seat | 2-8 yrs in forward-facing child safety seat or in booster seat secured by lap/shoulder belt (lap belt alone is not permissible) | 7 yrs or under in rear seat if available | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View South Carolina |
| South Dakota | Under 5 yrs and under 40 lbs must be properly secured in a child safety seat | Height: No height threshold listed in GHSA summary. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View South Dakota |
| Tennessee | Under 1 yr or 20 lbs or less in rear-facing child safety seat, following manufacturer instructions | 1-3 yrs and over 20 lbs in harnessed child safety seat, following manufacturer instructions | 4-9 yrs and shorter than 4'9" in booster seat, following manufacturer instructions (until 9th birthday) | 9 yrs or younger and taller than 4'9", seat belt and in rear seat if available | Rear seat recommended for 9-12 yrs | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Tennessee |
| Texas | Younger than 8 must be secured in a child passenger safety seat system unless taller than 4'9". | Height: The statutory exception is taller than 4 feet 9 inches. Weight: No single statutory booster weight threshold; use the child safety seat manufacturer's instructions. | Transportation Code 545.412 lists $25 to $250. | 2026-07-23 | View Texas |
| Utah | 7 yrs or under and under 57" tall | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: No weight threshold listed in GHSA summary. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Utah |
| Vermont | Younger than 2 in a rear-facing child restraint. | Ages 2 through 4 (until 5) in a rear- or forward-facing child restraint. Children must remain in a federally approved forward-facing child restraint with harnesses until the child reaches the weight or height limit as set by the manufacturer. | Ages 5 through 7 (until 8) in a child restraint or booster | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Vermont |
| Virginia | Under 2 years old in rear-facing seat (or until minimum weight requirement reached) | 7 yrs or under | Children in rear-facing devices must be in a rear seat if available - otherwise, in front only if front passenger airbag is deactivated | Height: No height threshold listed in GHSA summary. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Virginia |
| Washington | Under 2 years – rear-facing child restraint | 2 to 4 years – child restraint with harness (rear or forward-facing) | 4 years and older – car or booster seat until 4’9” | Up to age 13 years – must ride in back seat when practical | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: No weight threshold listed in GHSA summary. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Washington |
| West Virginia | 7 yrs or under and under 4'9" tall | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: No weight threshold listed in GHSA summary. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View West Virginia |
| Wisconsin | Under 1 yr or under 20 lbs in rear-facing child restraint | 1-3 yrs and 20-40 lbs must be in either a rear- or forward-facing child restraint | 4-7 yrs and 40-80 lbs and under 57" tall must be in either a rear- or forward-facing child restraint or a booster seat | Under 4 years and less than 40 lbs, or if the child is in a rear- or forward-facing child restraint, they mist be in the rear vehicle seat, if available | Height: See child-restraint rule; includes height language where listed. Weight: See child-restraint rule; includes weight language where listed. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Wisconsin |
| Wyoming | 8 yrs or under in rear seat if available | Height: No height threshold listed in GHSA summary. Weight: No weight threshold listed in GHSA summary. | Verify fine with state source; GHSA notes first-offense fines vary by state. | GHSA reviewed by SHSOs June 2025; extracted 2026-07-23 | View Wyoming |
Sources