Florida law requires that children riding in motorized vehicles be properly restrained with an appropriate child restraint device. Specific requirements vary based on the age of the child and are based on industry and government safety guidelines. Remember, the purpose of these laws is to ensure the safety of your child and you should view them as a minimum standard.
Children under the age of four
Children under the age of four must be restrained in a child safety seat in the back seat of the vehicle. It can be a separate carrier or a child safety seat integrated into a vehicle by the manufacturer.
Babies should always use a rear-facing seat, as this is the safest possible method of transporting young children. Safety experts recommend continuing to use this seat as long as the child is within the height and weight limits of the seat.
When the child gets out of the rear-facing seat (typically reaches at least one year of age and weighs a minimum of 20 pounds), you should switch to a forward-facing child safety seat. This seat must also be installed in the rear seat of the vehicle.
Four and five year olds
By law, four- and five-year-olds can continue to use a child safety seat, at the parents’ discretion. Alternatively, the child can wear the vehicle seat belt. The child must remain in the back seat.
That said, safety experts recommend that children continue to use the forward-facing seat until they exceed the seat height or weight limit. This is normally around the age of four and weighs 40 pounds.
Safety experts also recommend that children use a booster seat at this age. Otherwise, the seat belt may not fit properly and the child is at significant risk of injury in the event of an accident.
Children six to eight years
Children ages six to eight must remain in the back seat of the vehicle and wear a seat belt at all times.
Although the law does not require the use of a booster seat, safety experts recommend that you continue to use a booster seat for your child until the child is at least four feet, nine inches (4’9 ”) tall.
Children from nine to twelve years
Children ages nine to twelve must remain in the back seat of the vehicle and wear a seat belt at all times. Children this age no longer require the use of a booster seat and can safely use the adult seat belt.
Children 13 years and over
Children thirteen years of age and older can ride in the front or rear seat. As with adults, children in the front seat must wear seat belts.
Child Safety Seat Checks
Florida offers a number of free child seat stations. You should always visit one of these stations when considering changing your child’s seating arrangement to make sure it is safe. Never make a car safety decision based solely on the materials you read online or offline. Always seek an expert opinion. Visit the SaferCar website to find a station and make an appointment. For more information on child seat safety, read Miami Children’s Hospital or TheSpruce Safety Tips.
