California Car Seat Law (2021): Everything You Need To Know

Car seat laws in California are making a significant contribution to ensuring the safety of child passengers. Car seat regulations in California are quite strict. The law is also helping parents choose which type of car seat is best for their children

Based on your child’s height and weight, there are three distinct restraint options: rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster seats.

On this page, we’ve broken down the California car seat law based on your child’s age and weight. We also included a list of frequently asked questions that parents typically ask.

So, we hope that after reading this, you will have a clear understanding of which restraint system to use for your child.

California Car Seat Law For Child Passengers 2021

California child passenger safety law is described on California legislative information’s website. The law can be found Under the Vehicle Code and Section 27360. and here is the law:

The California Legislative Information web page explains the state’s child passenger safety law. Section 27360 of the Vehicle Code contains the regulations. And this is the law:

“Children under 2 years of age shall ride in a rear-facing car seat unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds OR is 40 or more inches tall. The child shall be secured in a manner that complies with the height and weight limits specified by the manufacturer of the car seat.”

Types of restraint systems for infant and young kids

There are basically three types of restraints for child passengers under the state of California car seat law. 

• Rear facing 
• Forward facing and
• Booster seats

California rear facing car seat law

By law, children under age 2 will ride in a rear-facing car seat. Even if the child is 2 years old but weighs less than 40 pounds and is less than 40 inches tall, he still needs to be in the rear-facing car seat. 

So your baby has to be in a rear-facing car seat if he/she is:

• under 2 years old
• Weighs less than 40 or 40 pounds
• Or 40 inches or less inches tall

California front facing car seat law

You Can switch to forwarding Facing Car Seat When Your Kid Outgrows The Height And Weight Limit For Rear Facing Car Seat. Usually, we see that children exceed the height and weight limit of their rear-facing car seat when they are at the age of 4.

So you can switch to a forward-facing car seat when your kid is:

• 2 years or older
• Weighs over 40 pounds
• And more than 40 inches tall

California booster seat law for young kids

What many people don’t know is that seat belts are designed to ensure the safety of adult passengers of average height. So only Seatbelts are not enough for small childrens safety. For small children, you need to use a booster car seat. booster seats are specially designed for children between 4-8 years old to make sure the seat belt properly sits across the lap and chest. 

You can use a booster seat for your children when they outgrow their front-facing car seat weight and height. According to the California car seat law:

“A child is ready for a booster seat when they have outgrown the weight or height limit of their forward-facing harnesses, which is typically between 40 and 65 pounds. Read the forward-facing car seat’s owner’s manual to determine the height and weight limits, and keep your child in a harnessed seat for as long as possible.”

Types of booster seats:

• High-back booster seats – If your car’s seat back is lower than your child’s ears, you have to use a high-back booster seat to protect your child’s head and neck.
• Backless booster seats – If your car’s seat back is higher than your child’s ears, you can use a backless booster seat.

California child safety seat belt law

Your child can stop using car seats when he/she turns 8 years old and 4.9” in height. And from now on you can restrain your child with a seatbelt only.

So you can switch to booster seat restraint system to seat belt restraint when your child is:

• 8 years old and
• 4.9″ tall in height

Please note:  If your child is 8 years old but has not reached the height of 4.9 “, continue to use the booster seat. And car seat safety experts recommend using the booster seat until the age of 13.

Mounting car seat in the back seat is mandatory

According to California car seat regulation, children under the age of two must be restrained in a rear-facing car seat installed in the back seat of a vehicle.

The same would go for older children. Children under the age of eight should not ride in the front seat. It is not legal to have a rear-facing car seat in the front seat of the car if there is an airbag.

California car seat expiration law

Were you aware that car seats might expire? Every car seat has a date of expiration. Usually, car seats have a longevity of six to ten years after they were manufactured.

Usually, the expiration date or production date is available on the car seat with a serial number. 

If you can’t find the expiration date, the car seat isn’t safe to use for more than six years

A car seat is related to your child’s safety, so don’t try to save money by using an expired car seat. Don’t risk your child’s life to save some money.

Leaving child in car law in california

According to California car seat law’s vehicle code section 15620, 

“A parent, legal guardian, or other person responsible for a child who is 6 years of age or younger may not leave that child inside a motor vehicle without being subject to the supervision of a person who is 12 years of age or older.”

Anyone who violates the law could face a fine of at least $ 100.

California car seat laws exceptions

According to subdivision (c) of California legislature information Vehicle Code Section 27360, these laws do not apply to a driver if the parent or legal guardian of the child is a passenger in the motor vehicle.

There are some situations where these laws will not apply. you can ride with a properly retrained child in the front seat of a car if,

• The vehicle is a truck or a two-seater with no back seat.
• Younger children have taken up the entire back seat space.
• The back seat belt is broken, installing the car seat in the back seat is dangerous or not safe to use.
• The back seats are rear-facing or side-facing jump seats.
• There is an extenuating circumstance that is why it will not be safe to use the backseat.

Taxi car seat law in California

Taxis are not exempt from the Child Passenger Safety Seat Law in California. The California car seat regulation also applies to taxis. 

However, parents are first and foremost accountable for their children’s car seats. If the parents are not in the taxi, the taxi driver will be held responsible.

California Legal Fees For Car Seat Laws

Legal fees are mentioned in Section 27360.6. of the California car seat regulation’s vehicle code. 

“For a conviction under Section 27360 or 27360.5, a first offense is punishable by a fine of one hundred dollars ($100)”
“A second or subsequent conviction under Section 27360 or 27360.5 is punishable by a fine of two hundred fifty dollars ($250)”

California car seat replacement law after Accident

After an accident, the insurance company is required by law to replace the car seat. If the crash is minor, you can reuse the existing car seat. 

However, if the car seat is damaged as a result of the collision, it must be replaced.

Is it illegal to smoke in a car with a child in California?

Yes, it is illegal in California to smoke in a vehicle with a child. It is also a $100 fineable offense. You can see the Health and Safety Code section 118948 (a) to know more about “smoking in a car with a child in California”.

When can my child sit in the front seat in California?

Legally, a child can sit in the front seat if he or she is 8 years old and 4.9’ tall. However, experts recommend using a booster seat until the age of 13.

You can allow your child to sit in the front seat when he or she is tall enough and at least 8 years old, and the seatbelt fits correctly on his or her lap and chest.

How old do you have to be to sit in the front seat in California?

you have to be at least 8 years old and 4.9’ in height to sit in the front seat in California.

How tall do you have to be to sit in the front seat in California?

you have to be at least 4.9’ tall to sit in the front seat in California.

How much do you have to weigh to sit in the front seat in california?

There is no weight limit mentioned in the law to sit in the front seat in California. But as we mentioned before, you have to be at least 8 years old and 4.9’ in height to sit in the front seat in California. 

When can my child sit in the front seat in california?

legally, when children are 8 years old and 4.9″ tall, they can ride in the front seat of a car in California.

However, it is always safer for young children to ride in the back seat.

What is the height and weight requirement for a booster seat in California?

You can use a booster seat for your children when they outgrow their front-facing car seat weight and height. which is typically between 40 and 65 pounds and around 4.9”.

When can a child stop using a booster seat in california?

When a child reaches the age of eight and reaches the height of 4.9 inches, he or she is no longer required to use booster seats in California. 

Can a 10 year old sit in the front seat in California?

Yes, 10-year-old kids can sit in the front seat in California if they are taller than  4.9″.

How much is a ticket for a child without a car seat in California?

$100 for the first violation of the California car seat law. and for subsequent offenses, the punishable fee is $250. To know more read the California car seat regulation’s vehicle code  Section 27360.6.

Do you have to wear a seatbelt in the back seat in California?

Yes. According to the California seat belt law’s vehicle code section 27315, All occupants of a moving motor vehicle 8 years of age and older are required to use a seat belt. 

Is a child car seat required in California cabs?

Yes, a car seat is required to ride in a taxi in California if you have a young kid with you who is under 8 years old.
Are you planning to travel by taxi with your young children? Read this article from UC DAVIS, it can help you a lot.

Car Seat Inspections Help in California

If you need assistance with car seat installation or a professional fit check, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is available to assist you.

Contact your local CHP office to get your car seat inspected.

California car seat regulation brochure by safekidscalifornia.org

Child passenger safety related videos California

Rear-Facing Car Seats for Infants & Toddlers

Front Facing Car Seat Safety for Toddlers & Preschoolers

Booster Seat Safety Video for School-aged Children

LATCH – Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children

Safety Seats Video for Older Children

Additional resources about car seat safety law in California

• Updated California car seat law.
• Find out which restrain system is best for your child on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website.
• Learn more about Child Safety Seats in California to California Highway Patrol.
• Read more about Child Passenger Safety to the office of traffic safety California web.

California car seat inspection stations lists by safe kids.

USA Child Passenger Safety Laws by State

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