Confused about car seats and booster seats? They can be quite confusing! Both the rules about ages and kind of seats and which direction to face can be confusing, and so can installing and using them. Hopefully, we can make it a little less confusing.
One problem with many of the car seat guides is that they don’t ever just summarize the rules and information into an easy to use reference. Actually, the guidelines for car and booster seat use can be simplified and made easier to remember. Here are the main points:
- Children from birth until they turn 2 years old (this is a recent change) ride facing backward in a rear seat, in a car seat approved for that child’s weight, height, and age.
- Children age 2 to about 4 years old and 40 pounds ride in a rear seat, facing forward, in a seat approved for that child’s size and age.
- Children from age 4 until 57 inches tall (4 ft. 9 in.) ride in a booster seat in a rear seat (about 8-12 years old).
- Children 57 inches or taller until age 13 ride in a seat belt in a rear seat. The front air bags can harm or kill a child less than 13 years old.
- Children 13 and older (80 pounds and over and 57 inches and over) can ride in the front seat with a seat belt.
| Age | Type of seat | Position |
| Infants, from birth to at least one year of age and 20 pounds | Infant only or convertible seat | Rear facing, in the back seat |
| Toddlers, from 12-23 months | Infant or convertible seat approved for rear facing at your child’s weight and height | Rear facing, in a back seat |
| Toddlers, from age two years to about age 4 and 40 pounds | Convertible or forward facing seat or combination seat | Forward facing, in the back seat |
| Young children about age 4 up to at least 8 years, until child is 4 ft. 9 inches (57 inches) tall | Booster seat or combination seat | Forward facing, in the back seat |
| Children age 8 or older and taller than 57 inches (4 ft. 9 inches) until turn about 13 years old. | Adult seat belts | Back seat only (front air bags can kill children) |
| Ages 13 through adulthood | Adult seat belts | Front or back seat |
Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the particular car seat. Each seat can vary in weight and height limits. In particular, there are now some infant and convertible seats designed to be used rear-facing for infants more than 20 pounds but less than 1 year old.
More information
Car seat recall information can be found at the NHSTA or at the Consumer Products Safety Commission
Technicians are available to help you correctly install your car seat. To find a technician in your area, visit the NHTSA website.
