Did you know that Texas has a car seat law? Well, if not, you do now. This guide will be a compilation of everything you need to know about Texas car seat laws. It will address the most common questions and concerns, in addition to some lesser-known facts that you may not have heard of before.

Texas Car Seat Law

Texas Car Seat Laws

According to the car seat law of Texas,

A person commits an offense if the person operates a passenger vehicle, transports a child who is younger than eight years of age, unless the child is taller than four feet, nine inches, and does not keep the child secured during the operation of the vehicle in a child passenger safety seat system.”

Texas Car Seat Laws

Texas Rear-facing Car Seat Law

Infants and toddlers should ride on rear-facing seats until they reach the age of two or beyond the manufacturer’s specified height and weight criteria, according to the Texas Department of Transportation (TDOT). The rear-facing posture is the safest for children. During a car crash, the back of the seat protects the baby. It soaks up all of the crash forces. This protects your baby’s delicate head, neck, and back.

Ensure that the harness straps are secure around your child’s body and can’t be pulled over the baby’s shoulder. Convertible seats are one of two main types of rear-facing car seats. Infant-only seats are used for a short period of time after which children transition to convertible seats. Convertible seats have greater weight restrictions (up to 40 pounds), allowing kids to ride in them until they’re four years old. According to the child safety seats manufacturer’s directions, rear-facing seats should be installed in the back seat.

Texas Forward-facing Car Seat Law

Children must ride in a forward-facing car seat after reaching the rear-facing seat limit, which generally happens at 2 years of age. The seat must also be placed on the back of the vehicle.

Texas booster seat law for young kids

In Texas, children must use a car seat or booster seat until they reach 4’9″ or 8 years old, depending on their age. Make sure your booster seat follows the manufacturer’s recommended minimum and maximum sizes. Most manufacturers require a child to be at least 4 years old, 40 inches tall, and 40 pounds to be in a booster seat.

There are 2 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.

Requirements for children to use the front seat in Texas 

Children should stay in the back seat until they reach the age of 13, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Because there are no airbags and it is farther from the impact point in a frontal accident, the back seat is considered to be the safest position. It is Illegal to Install a Rea-facing Seat in the Front Seat Without Turning Off the Passenger-Side Airbag.

Make sure they wear the seat belts properly (shoulder belt & lap belt). if they can use the lap belt alone, it could cause serious injury in a crash.

Taxi Car Seat Law in Texas 

The law doesn’t apply to cars that are used for hire. Taxis are not required to follow Texas car seat regulations.

Texas car seat replacement law after Accident

There are no specific laws in Texas regarding car seat replacement in the event of an accident. Of course, you don’t have to be a legislator to understand this. During a collision, car seats aren’t indestructible and can suffer structural damage.

NHTSA recommends that car seats be replaced following a moderate or severe crash in order to ensure a continued high level of crash protection for child passengers. Car seats do not automatically need to be replaced following a minor crash.”

Law on leaving a child in a car in Texas 

yes, It is illegal to leave a child alone inside a vehicle for more than 5 minutes. When he or she is accompanied by someone 14 years of age or older, there are exceptions. We strongly advise against leaving your child unattended for any length of time.

Penalties For Violating Texas Car Seat Laws

A violation of Texas’ Child Passenger Safety Seat Systems Act pertaining to a child under the age of eight and not more than 4’9″ tall is a misdemeanor. You may face a penalty of between $25 and $250. A violation of Texas’ Safety Belts Act concerning a kid between the ages of eight and sixteen is a misdemeanor. You may face fines ranging from $100 to more than $200.

The judge may put you on probation, postpone further action, and demand that you take a certified driving safety course approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation if you are convicted of a violation of Texas’ Child Passenger Safety Seat Systems or Safety Belts laws. Four hours of instruction on child passenger safety seat systems and seatbelts are included in the course.

A violation of Texas’ Safety Belts Act concerning a kid between the ages of fifteen and seventeen who fails to buckle up is a misdemeanor. Your child may be fined anywhere from $25 to $50 for this offense.

Car Seat Law Exemptions in Texas 

  • If your child is being carried in an emergency or for law enforcement purposes, he or she may be exempt from Texas’ Child Passenger Safety Seat Systems legislation.
  • If your child was being carried in a vehicle that was not providing non-emergency Medicaid transportation for hire, he or she would be exempt from the Child Passenger Safety Seat Systems Act.
  • If your child was being carried in a vehicle in which all seating positions with child passenger safety seat systems or safety belts were occupied, he or she may be exempt from the Child Passenger Safety Seat Systems Act of Texas.
  • If you have a written statement from a licensed physician stating that your kid should not wear a safety belt for a medical reason, your youngster may be exempt from the state’s Safety Belts legislation.

Is it Illegal to Smoke in a Car with a Child in Texas?

Smoking in a vehicle with a child passenger is considered a minor offense. but it is recommended not to smoke in a car with a child passenger present. because Secondhand smoke is dangerous, and it’s best to avoid smoking in a vehicle with a kid sitting inside.

Secondhand smoke exposure causes a variety of illnesses in children, including asthma and pneumonia, as well as thousands of preventable hospitalizations. Secondhand smoke causes SIDS and can cause lung cancer and heart attacks if exposed over time.

Child passenger safety related videos Texas 

Securing Our Future

Car Seat Safety By Age: Infants in Rear-facing

Convertible Car Seat Installation Using Seat Belt

Convertible Car Seat Installation Using Seat Belt

USA Child Passenger Safety Laws by State

FIND YOUR STATE’S CAR SEAT LAWS

Click on your state on the map below to see your state’s car seat law

AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY DC
Share this, Sharing is caring :)

Similar Posts