Knowing when a child can legally sit in the front seat of a car is critical for their safety. Each U.S. state has different laws regarding the age, weight, and height requirements for front seat occupancy, as well as car seat regulations. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that children under 13 sit in the back seat, state laws vary. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the legal requirements in all 50 states.
State-by-State Guide: Child Front Seat Laws & Car Seat Requirements
| State | Front Seat Age Requirement | Car Seat & Booster Seat Laws | Official State Law Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 6 must use a child restraint system. | Alabama Car Seat Law |
| Alaska | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 8 and under 65 lbs must use a child restraint system. | Alaska Car Seat Law |
| Arizona | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 5 must use a car seat; under 8 and shorter than 4’9” must use a booster seat. | Arizona Car Seat Law |
| Arkansas | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 6 and under 60 lbs must use a child safety seat. | Arkansas Car Seat Law |
| California | Children under 8 must ride in the back unless no rear seats available. | Children under 2 must be in a rear-facing seat unless over 40 lbs or 40 inches. | California Car Seat Law |
| Colorado | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 8 must be in a child safety seat. | Colorado Car Seat Law |
| Connecticut | Children under 2 must be in the back in a rear-facing seat. | Children under 8 or under 60 lbs must use a booster seat. | Connecticut Car Seat Law |
| Delaware | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 8 and under 66 lbs must use a child restraint. | Delaware Car Seat Law |
| Florida | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 5 must be in a car seat. | Florida Car Seat Law |
| Idaho | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 6 must use a child restraint system. | Idaho Car Seat Law |
| Illinois | Children under 8 must be in the back seat when available. | Children under 2 must be in a rear-facing seat; under 8 must be in a booster. | Illinois Car Seat Law |
| Iowa | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 1 must be in a rear-facing seat; under 6 must use a child safety seat. | Iowa Car Seat Law |
| Kansas | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 4 must use a child restraint system; 4-7 must use a booster seat. | Kansas Car Seat Law |
| Kentucky | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 8 and under 57 inches must use a booster seat. | Kentucky Car Seat Law |
| Louisiana | Children under 13 must sit in the back. | Children under 2 must be rear-facing; under 4 must use a forward-facing car seat. | Louisiana Car Seat Law |
| Maine | Children under 12 should sit in the back seat when available. | Children under 8 and under 80 lbs must be in a child restraint system. | Maine Car Seat Law |
| Maryland | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 8 and under 57 inches must use a child safety seat. | Maryland Car Seat Law |
| Massachusetts | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 8 and under 57 inches must use a child restraint system. | Massachusetts Car Seat Law |
| Michigan | Children under 4 must sit in the back unless the rear seat is occupied. | Children under 8 and under 57 inches must use a booster seat. | Michigan Car Seat Law |
| Minnesota | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 8 and under 57 inches must use a booster seat. | Minnesota Car Seat Law |
| Mississippi | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 7 and under 65 lbs must use a booster seat. | Mississippi Car Seat Law |
| Missouri | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 4 must use a child restraint; 4-7 under 80 lbs must use a booster. | Missouri Car Seat Law |
| Montana | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 6 and under 60 lbs must use a child restraint. | Montana Car Seat Law |
| Nebraska | Children under 8 must ride in the back seat. | Children under 8 must use a federally approved child safety seat. | Nebraska Car Seat Law |
| Nevada | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 6 and under 60 lbs must be in a child restraint. | Nevada Car Seat Law |
| New Hampshire | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 7 and under 57 inches must be in a child safety seat. | New Hampshire Car Seat Law |
| New Jersey | Children under 8 must sit in the back seat when available. | Children under 2 and under 30 lbs must be rear-facing; under 8 must use a booster. | New Jersey Car Seat Law |
| New Mexico | Children under 12 should sit in the back seat when available. | Children under 7 and under 60 lbs must be in a child restraint. | New Mexico Car Seat Law |
| New York | Children under 8 must sit in the back seat when available. | Children under 2 must be rear-facing; under 8 must use a booster. | New York Car Seat Law |
| North Carolina | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 8 and under 80 lbs must use a child restraint system. | North Carolina Car Seat Law |
| North Dakota | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 8 and under 57 inches must use a booster seat. | North Dakota Car Seat Law |
| Ohio | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 8 and under 57 inches must use a booster seat. | Ohio Car Seat Law |
| Oklahoma | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 8 and under 4’9” must use a booster seat. | Oklahoma Car Seat Law |
| Oregon | Children under 8 must ride in the back seat when available. | Children under 2 must be rear-facing; under 8 must use a booster. | Oregon Car Seat Law |
| Pennsylvania | Children under 8 must sit in the back seat when available. | Children under 2 must be rear-facing; under 8 must use a booster. | Pennsylvania Car Seat Law |
| Rhode Island | Children under 8 must sit in the back seat when available. | Children under 2 must be rear-facing; under 8 must use a booster. | Rhode Island Car Seat Law |
| South Carolina | Children under 8 must sit in the back seat when available. | Children under 2 must be rear-facing; under 8 must use a booster. | South Carolina Car Seat Law |
| South Dakota | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 5 and under 40 lbs must use a child safety seat. | South Dakota Car Seat Law |
| Tennessee | Children under 9 must sit in the back seat when available. | Children under 2 must be rear-facing; under 9 must use a booster. | Tennessee Car Seat Law |
| Texas | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Rear-facing required under 2; Booster required under 8 years or shorter than 4'9". | Texas Car Seat Law |
| Utah | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 8 and under 57 inches must use a booster seat. | Utah Car Seat Law |
| Vermont | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 8 and under 57 inches must use a booster seat. | Vermont Car Seat Law |
| Virginia | Children under 8 must sit in the back seat when available. | Children under 2 must be rear-facing; under 8 must use a booster. | Virginia Car Seat Law |
| Washington | Children under 13 must ride in the back seat. | Children under 2 must be rear-facing; under 8 must use a booster. | Washington Car Seat Law |
| West Virginia | Children under 8 must sit in the back seat when available. | Children under 2 must be rear-facing; under 8 must use a booster. | West Virginia Car Seat Law |
| Wisconsin | Children under 8 must sit in the back seat when available. | Children under 2 must be rear-facing; under 8 must use a booster. | Wisconsin Car Seat Law |
| Wyoming | No specific law; recommended under 13 sit in the back. | Children under 9 must use a child safety seat. | Wyoming Car Seat Law |