Regulations on Car Seats for Children in Ohio

Ohio law requires that children ride in an ̶0;approved child safety seat̶1; until they are at least age 4 or weigh at least 40 pounds. Also, as of April 2010, children who have outgrown these seats are required to ride in booster seats until they are at least 8 years old.

  1. Infants

    • Infants must ride in a seat that faces backwards until they are at least 20 pounds or 1 year old. These seats are available as infant seats, which allow you to remove the seat from the base and use as a carrier for your infant, or as convertible seats, which can be reconfigured as forward-facing seats when the child is ready.

    Toddlers

    • Children at least 1 year old may ride in a forward-facing car seat with a 5-point-harness. They are required to be restrained with a harness until they reach 4 years old or 40 pounds, whichever comes earlier. Some toddler seats can be converted to booster seats.

    Children

    • A booster seat is now required (as of April 2010) for children in Ohio who are younger than 8 years. Booster seats come in high back or backless models. Children may ride without a booster (but with a seat belt) when they are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall.

    Exceptions and Penalties

    • Your child is not required to ride in a car seat in a taxi or public safety vehicle or in any vehicle that was produced in a year before seat belts were legally required to be installed. The fine for a first offense is $25-$100 and $250 maximum for a subsequent offense. Up to 30 days of jail time may also be imposed.

    More Information

    • For additional information on child safety seats and Ohio̵7;s laws regarding them, call the Ohio Department of Health at 1-800-755-GROW. For help choosing a seat, check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for ̶0;ease of use̶1; ratings. If you need assistance installing a child seat, there are seat check stations in Ohio as well.

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