Infant Car Seat Laws

Infant car seat laws are not uniform across all 50 states, and they also vary depending on the country. However, there are many guidelines that are very similar in all 50 states as well as most developed countries.

  1. Minimum Requirements

    • Every state in the U.S. has its own specific infant car seat laws, but all states require that an infant be in a rear-facing infant car seat until the child has reached a minimum age of one and a minimum weight of 20 pounds.

    Expiration Date

    • The law requires that infant car seats have expiration dates posted on them. The dates vary, but are usually six years from the date they were made. The original manufacture date is usually stamped on a tag or sticker on the side of the car seat.

    Recalls

    • The United States government requires that manufacturers notify the public of any safety concerns with infant car seats. Recalls are normally posted on various consumer websites or the manufacturer's website.

    NHTSA

    • The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is the governmental agency in the United States that recommends infant car seat laws and regulations.

    No Car Seat

    • While infant car seat laws vary by state and country, it is not legal anywhere in the United States for infants to ride in car if they are not secured in an infant car seat. Riding in an adult's arms is not allowed.

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