The Idaho car seat law refers to the minimum requirements for child safety seats and booster seats that parents and guardians must follow. Every child under the age of eight years old is legally required to be properly restrained in a properly installed child safety seat. This article will explain everything you need to know about this important law.
- Idaho Car Seat Laws
- Idaho Rear-facing Car Seat Law
- Idaho Forward-facing Car Seat Law
- Idaho Booster Seat Law
- Requirements For Children To Use The Front Seat In Idaho
- Taxi Car Seat Law in Idaho
- Idaho Car Seat Replacement Law After Accident
- Law On Leaving a Child in A Car in Idaho
- Penalties for Violating Idaho Car Seat Laws
- How Old Do You Have to Be to Sit in the Front Seat in Idaho?
- Is It Illegal to Smoke in A Car with A Child in Idaho?
- Car Seat Inspections Help in Idaho
- Child Passenger Safety Related Videos
- More Information and Resources On Car Seat Safety in Idaho
- USA Child Passenger Safety Laws by State
- Best Car Seats of 2022: Ranked by Our Experts
- Find trusted caregivers for your every need
Idaho Car Seat Laws
According to section 49-672 of the Idaho child passenger safety law,
“No noncommercial motor vehicle operator shall transport a child who is six (6) years of age or younger in a motor vehicle manufactured with seat belts after January 1, 1966, unless the child is properly secured in a child safety restraint that meets the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 213.”
Idaho Rear-facing Car Seat Law
The Idaho Department of Transportation requires that children under the age of two travel in rear-facing seats unless their height and weight exceed the manufacturer’s specifications. Currently, the majority of rear-facing seats support children weighing up to 40 pounds, which means that your child may remain in this seat until they reach the weight limit of 4 years old.
Idaho Forward-facing Car Seat Law
Idaho law makes no provision for requiring children to travel in a forward-facing seat. The Idaho Department of Transportation, on the other hand, recommends that children sit in a forward-facing seat until they weigh between 40 and 65 pounds and are at least four years old.
Idaho Booster Seat Law
The Idaho Transportation Department advises that children ride in a booster seat from the age of four to eight years or until they reach a height of four feet and nine inches. Parents may use a belt-positioning booster seat with or without a back, however, lap belt alone seating configurations should not be utilized with booster seats. Booster seats raise your child to the proper height for conventional seat belts to fit properly over his or her thigh and chest areas.
Requirements For Children To Use The Front Seat In Idaho
As of right now, there is no age limit for people who want to be in the front seat. You can put your child in the front seat if the lap belt goes across their upper thighs, and the shoulder belt goes across their chest. The knees bend at the edge of the seat. In most cases, this happens around the age of 13.
If you are confused about whether your child should use a booster seat or an adult seat belt only, this simple test will help you decide.
The Five-Step Seat Belt Fit Test:
- Is the child able to sit all of the way back against the auto seat?
- Are the child’s knees able to bend comfortably at the edge of the vehicle seat?
- Is the belt crossing over the shoulder between the neck and arm?
- Is the lap belt as low as possible, with the thighs?
- Is it possible for the child to remain in this position the whole journey?
If you answered “no” to any of these questions, your kid is not ready for an adult seat belt and still requires a booster seat to travel safely in the car. Boosters are popular with kids since they are more comfortable!
Taxi Car Seat Law in Idaho
Taxis are excluded from this rule because they are considered commercial vehicles, while Idaho law only applies to non-commercial vehicles.
Idaho Car Seat Replacement Law After Accident
Idaho legislation presently contains no guidelines for seat replacement. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that car seats be replaced following a serious or moderate accident. Car seat manufacturers also add expiration dates, so be sure to check yours.
Law On Leaving a Child in A Car in Idaho
Idaho doesn’t have any laws about leaving kids in cars alone. We strongly advise against leaving a child alone in a car. It is important to know the risks of leaving a child in a car.
There are many dangers that can happen if you leave your child unattended in a car. The most obvious danger is that your child will get into hot temperatures and be dehydrated. Another danger would be that there may be toxic substances left by other people in the car, such as gas or drugs.
Finally, it’s important to remember that your vehicle can become hot enough to cause severe burns on your child’s skin if left for long periods of time.
Penalties for Violating Idaho Car Seat Laws
Child passenger safety laws are very important in Idaho, and this one is the most important one. If someone in your car is under 18 years old and doesn’t wear a safety restraint, you could be fined $10.00 and have to pay court costs. If you don’t put your child in a car seat, you could be fined .50 and have to pay court costs.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Sit in the Front Seat in Idaho?
There is presently no age restriction on traveling in the front seat in Idaho. The Idaho Transportation Department and child safety specialists recommend that your child sits in the front seat when the lap belt is across the upper thighs, the shoulder belt is across the chest, and the knees are bent at the seat edge. This typically occurs between the ages of 13 and 14.
Is It Illegal to Smoke in A Car with A Child in Idaho?
In Idaho, it is not illegal to smoke in a car with a child passenger. We do not recommend smoking in a car with a child passenger.
Smoking in a car with a child present can be hazardous to the health of both the child and the smoker.
The dangers include:
- Increased carbon monoxide levels may lead to death.
- The chemicals in cigarettes produce tar which is harmful to children’s lungs and bloodstream.
- Smoking can cause anemia, dehydration, or malnutrition if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Car Seat Inspections Help in Idaho
- American Academy of Pediatrics Child Car Seat Inspection Station Locator
- Bannock County Car Safety for Kids
- Caldwell fire department’s station #1 and #2 provide car seat installation/inspection
- Car Seat Safety Check at Steele Memorial Hospital
- Child car seat inspections McCall Fire
- City of Coeur d’Alene Car Seat Inspections / Installations
- Kootenai Health Car Seat Safety
- Kuna Rural Fire District Car Seat Inspection
- Meridian Car Seat Inspections
- NHTSA Car Seat Inspection Directory
- Rexburg Police station Car Seat Checks
Child Passenger Safety Related Videos
Car Seat Safety: Front-facing Install & Child Placement
Installing a Car Seat Properly
The Inch Test
Is your child’s car booster seat safe?
More Information and Resources On Car Seat Safety in Idaho
USA Child Passenger Safety Laws by State
FIND YOUR STATE’S CAR SEAT LAWS
Click on your state on the map below to see your state’s car seat law
