Booster Car Seat Requirements in Indiana

All 50 states have safety seat requirements for infants, but just 47 states require that toddlers and young children use booster seats when riding in a vehicle. Indiana is no exception. Booster car seats are recommended for children who have outgrown front-facing car seats, but aren't tall enough to safely use seat belt shoulder straps. Many booster seat manufacturers suggest only children who weigh more than 30 pounds should use them. Indiana has no weight guideline for booster car seats, but uses a different measure for requirements.

  1. Age

    • Children under age 8 must use a booster car seat in Indiana. The Indiana Code, Chapter 11 does note legal exceptions to the law. A child doesn't have to use a booster seat if he's a passenger in an ambulance, public bus, school bus or taxicab. If a child has a letter from his doctor stating he is unable to use a booster seat due to disabilities or injuries, he is exempt from the law.

    Size

    • Indiana doesn't have a weight regulation for booster seats. The state law does permit children who weigh more than 40 pounds to forgo a booster seat or car seat, if all other car seats are occupied and there are no shoulder-lap seat belts, and use a lap belt. There are no height requirements or guidelines for the state.

    Indiana Law

    • Indiana recommends that children always ride in the back seat, but law doesn't mandate it. It is illegal to not install a booster seat according to its manufacturer̵7;s guidelines. If a child under age 8 isn't properly using a booster seat, or is using a booster seat installed incorrectly, the adult driver may be fined up to $25 and have points added to his driving record.

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