In Michigan, parents are required to secure young children in an appropriate car seat or booster seat, depending on the size and age of the child. The Michigan car seat law is explained in this complete article. We answered the most common questions that parents asked about Michigan’s car seat law.
- Michigan Car Seat Law
- Types of child's restraint systems in Michigan
- Michigan Rear-facing Car Seat Law
- Michigan Forward-facing Car Seat Law
- Michigan booster seat law for young kids
- Taxi Car Seat Law in Michigan
- Michigan car seat expiration law
- Michigan car seat replacement law after Accident
- Michigan car seat laws exceptions
- Legal Fees For Michigan Car Seat Laws
- When Can My Child Sit in the Front Seat in Michigan?
- Is it Illegal to Smoke in a Car with a Child in Michigan?
- What is the height and weight requirement for a booster seat in Michigan?
- When can a child stop using a booster seat in Michigan?
- How much is a ticket for a child without a car seat in Michigan?
- Do you have to wear a seatbelt in the back seat in Michigan?
- Is a child car seat required in Michigan cabs?
- is it illegal to not have a toddler in a car seat in Michigan?
- Can My Child Ride in the Front Seat of a Pickup Truck in Michigan?
- Car Seat Inspections Help in Michigan
- Child passenger safety-related videos Michigan
- Additional resources about car seat safety law in Michigan
- USA Child Passenger Safety Laws by State
- Best Car Seats of 2022: Ranked by Our Experts
- Find trusted locals for your every need
Michigan Car Seat Law
According to the MSP (Michigan State Police) Child Passenger Safety Page:
Children younger than age 4 must ride in a car seat in the rear seat if the vehicle has a rear seat. If all the available rear seats are occupied by children under 4, then a child under 4 may ride in a car seat in the front seat. A child in a rear-facing car seat may only ride in the front seat if the airbag is turned off.
Children must be properly buckled in a car seat or booster seat until they are 8 years old or 4-feet-9-inches tall. Children must ride in a seat until they reach the age requirement or the height requirement, whichever comes first.
Types of child’s restraint systems in Michigan
There are basically three types of restraints for child passengers in Michigan.
- Rear facing
- Forward facing and
- Booster seats
Michigan Rear-facing Car Seat Law
According to Michigan law, a “child less than 4 years of age” must be properly secured in a “child restraint system” ( that meets federal safety requirements. (MCL 257.710d(1)).
Michigan Forward-facing Car Seat Law
According to Michigan legislation, a child should ride in a car seat until they are four years old. They must be seated in a forward-facing seat after the age of four. However, if you want to turn your child’s car seat around instead, make sure it is the safer option. Keep them there for as long as possible.
Michigan booster seat law for young kids
Children who are between 4 and 8 years old and less than 4’9″ tall must use a booster seat. They must follow the law, which states that they should be in a “child restraint system,” which essentially means booster seats.
Types of booster seats in Michigan:
- High-back booster seats – If your car’s seat back is lower than your child’s ears, you have to use a high-back booster seat to protect your child’s head and neck.
- Backless booster seats – If your car’s seat back is higher than your child’s ears, you can use a backless booster seat.
Taxi Car Seat Law in Michigan
Part 3 of Section 257.710d of the Michigan Vehicle Code says that these laws do not apply to taxi drivers.
Michigan car seat expiration law
According to the Michigan State Police,
If your use of an expired car seat for your child “results in the child not being properly restrained” in accordance with the “child restraint manufacturer’s instructions,” the “vehicle manufacturer’s instructions” and federal regulations, then “a Michigan State Police enforcement member may issue a citation for this violation.” (7/9/2012 e-mail statement to Michigan Auto Law).
Michigan car seat replacement law after Accident
Michigan law does not say what you should do if your car seat gets damaged in an accident. However, in the event of a major accident, it’s always advisable to replace your car seat since their plastic bodies can develop invisible fractures and are not safe for further usage.
Michigan car seat laws exceptions
In most situations, safety belts are not required for small children onboard commercial vehicles such as trains or buses. Most public transportation systems, including trains and buses, aren’t legally required to provide child safety restraints until a child is four years old. Motorcycles and mopeds also don’t require infant or toddler safety seats.
Taxis and ridesharing are not required by law to offer car seats, so it’s critical that parents bring their own if necessary. Lyft and Uber, for example, may pair passengers with drivers who possess an approved child restraint system.
In vehicles weighing over 3,500 pounds (1300 kg), including school buses and Class 1 trucks, children under the age of four do not require safety seats. The requirement also excludes automobiles manufactured before 1965 from having to use a child safety seat restraint system.
Legal Fees For Michigan Car Seat Laws
The maximum fine for the first offense is $10 for violation of the law regarding children under 4; $25 for violation of the law regarding children ages 4-8 and under 4′ 9″.
Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan Car Seat Laws
When Can My Child Sit in the Front Seat in Michigan?
In Michigan, children are allowed to sit in the front seat until they reach 8 years of age or at least 4′ 9″ inches tall.
Some exceptions may apply, such as when the vehicle is equipped with a seat belt that is located in the front seat and has been adjusted for use by an occupant up to age 8.
Is it Illegal to Smoke in a Car with a Child in Michigan?
There are currently no laws in Michigan that prohibit smoking in automobiles with children as passengers. but this is a very controversial question.
There are many opinions on this topic but the most important thing to remember is that you need to decide what’s best for your family.
In order to make an informed decision, we need to understand some key things related to smoking in cars with children: What is the law? How do people react? and finally what are the steps involved in this process.
Firstly, according to United States law: “No person under 18 years of age shall smoke or use any tobacco product in any motor vehicle operated by such person.” It also states that if a child has been granted permission from their parents then they can be allowed to smoke in a car as long as they don’t have access to other harmful substances like alcohol or drugs.
Secondly, it is important that you know how people react around you when you smoke in your car with a child present because if they think something might happen, they will likely react differently than usual.
What is the height and weight requirement for a booster seat in Michigan?
Children who are between 4 and 8 years old and less than 4’9″ tall must use a booster seat. They must follow the law, which states that they should be in a “child restraint system,” which essentially means booster seats.
Children who have grown too big for rear- and forward-facing car seats should use booster seats with a belt-positioning feature. They will continue with the booster until the car’s lap/shoulder belts fit properly – which is generally around the time a child turns 8 years of age and/or exceeds 4 feet 9 inches in height.
When can a child stop using a booster seat in Michigan?
8 years old. According to Michigan car seat law,
Michigan’s child booster seat law requires children to be properly buckled in a car seat or booster seat until they are 8 years old or 4-feet-9-inches tall. Children must ride in a seat until they reach the age requirement or the height requirement, whichever comes first.
How much is a ticket for a child without a car seat in Michigan?
A booster seat requirement is a key enforcer statute. This implies that police may stop a vehicle for an infraction of this legislation alone. For each unrestrained kid in a car, the misdemeanor may cost between $65 and $165 in fines and penalties. – source
Do you have to wear a seatbelt in the back seat in Michigan?
Yes, seatbelts are required in the back seat in Michigan.
State law says that all passengers must wear a seatbelt while riding in the backseat of a vehicle.
A child car seat is not required in Michigan cabs.
Is a child car seat required in Michigan cabs?
By law, taxi cabs and rideshare services are not required to provide car seats. It’s critical that parents bring their own when necessary since taxicabs and rideshare services aren’t compelled by law to supply them.
is it illegal to not have a toddler in a car seat in Michigan?
Yes, it is illegal to not have a toddler in a car seat in Michigan.
It is important to keep your child safe and secure while traveling. You should always make sure that your children are properly buckled up in the correct car seat for their age and weight. The best option for toddlers between 4-8 years old is the convertible car seat because they can be used from infancy until they reach adulthood
Can My Child Ride in the Front Seat of a Pickup Truck in Michigan?
Yes, if your child is over the age of 8 and weighs less than 110 pounds, they can ride in the front seat of a pickup truck in Michigan. A child can ride in the front seat of a truck as long as they are safe. A child should always be using the right restraint, like a car seat or seat belt. If you have a baby or toddler under 2, make sure the airbags are turned off.
Car Seat Inspections Help in Michigan
Child passenger safety-related videos Michigan
Michigan Car Seat Basics
Michigan Car Seat Laws explained
Car Seat Safety
Car Seat Safety By Age: Infants in Rear-facing Seats
Additional resources about car seat safety law in Michigan
- Car Seat Basics – Michigan Government
- C.S Mott Children’s Hospital car seat safety guide
- Safe & Sound – Car Seat Safety Program
- UM Transportation Research Institute, Child Safety
- Rear-facing car seat recommendations – Michigan State University
- Spectrum Health Car Seat Safety Education
- 8 Things You Didn’t Know About Your Child’s Car Seat
- Surprising Dangers of Infant Car Seats
USA Child Passenger Safety Laws by State
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