Did you know that Texas has a car seat law? Well, if not, you do now. This guide will be a compilation of everything you need to know about Texas car seat laws. It will address the most common questions and concerns, in addition to some lesser-known facts that you may not have heard of before.
- Texas Car Seat Laws
- Texas Rear-facing Car Seat Law
- Texas Forward-facing Car Seat Law
- Texas booster seat law for young kids
- Requirements for children to use the front seat in Texas
- Taxi Car Seat Law in Texas
- Texas car seat replacement law after Accident
- Law on leaving a child in a car in Texas
- Penalties For Violating Texas Car Seat Laws
- Car Seat Law Exemptions in Texas
- Is it Illegal to Smoke in a Car with a Child in Texas?
- Car Seat Inspections Help in Texas
- Child passenger safety related videos Texas
- More information and resources on car seat safety Texas
- USA Child Passenger Safety Laws by State
- Best Car Seats of 2022: Ranked by Our Experts
- Find trusted locals for your every need
Texas Car Seat Laws
According to the car seat law of Texas,
“A person commits an offense if the person operates a passenger vehicle, transports a child who is younger than eight years of age, unless the child is taller than four feet, nine inches, and does not keep the child secured during the operation of the vehicle in a child passenger safety seat system.”
Texas Rear-facing Car Seat Law
Infants and toddlers should ride on rear-facing seats until they reach the age of two or beyond the manufacturer’s specified height and weight criteria, according to the Texas Department of Transportation (TDOT). The rear-facing posture is the safest for children. During a car crash, the back of the seat protects the baby. It soaks up all of the crash forces. This protects your baby’s delicate head, neck, and back.
Ensure that the harness straps are secure around your child’s body and can’t be pulled over the baby’s shoulder. Convertible seats are one of two main types of rear-facing car seats. Infant-only seats are used for a short period of time after which children transition to convertible seats. Convertible seats have greater weight restrictions (up to 40 pounds), allowing kids to ride in them until they’re four years old. According to the child safety seats manufacturer’s directions, rear-facing seats should be installed in the back seat.
Texas Forward-facing Car Seat Law
Children must ride in a forward-facing car seat after reaching the rear-facing seat limit, which generally happens at 2 years of age. The seat must also be placed on the back of the vehicle.
Texas booster seat law for young kids
In Texas, children must use a car seat or booster seat until they reach 4’9″ or 8 years old, depending on their age. Make sure your booster seat follows the manufacturer’s recommended minimum and maximum sizes. Most manufacturers require a child to be at least 4 years old, 40 inches tall, and 40 pounds to be in a booster seat.
There are 2 types of booster seats:
- 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.
Requirements for children to use the front seat in Texas
Children should stay in the back seat until they reach the age of 13, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Because there are no airbags and it is farther from the impact point in a frontal accident, the back seat is considered to be the safest position. It is Illegal to Install a Rea-facing Seat in the Front Seat Without Turning Off the Passenger-Side Airbag.
Make sure they wear the seat belts properly (shoulder belt & lap belt). if they can use the lap belt alone, it could cause serious injury in a crash.
Taxi Car Seat Law in Texas
The law doesn’t apply to cars that are used for hire. Taxis are not required to follow Texas car seat regulations.
Texas car seat replacement law after Accident
There are no specific laws in Texas regarding car seat replacement in the event of an accident. Of course, you don’t have to be a legislator to understand this. During a collision, car seats aren’t indestructible and can suffer structural damage.
“NHTSA recommends that car seats be replaced following a moderate or severe crash in order to ensure a continued high level of crash protection for child passengers. Car seats do not automatically need to be replaced following a minor crash.”
Law on leaving a child in a car in Texas
yes, It is illegal to leave a child alone inside a vehicle for more than 5 minutes. When he or she is accompanied by someone 14 years of age or older, there are exceptions. We strongly advise against leaving your child unattended for any length of time.
Penalties For Violating Texas Car Seat Laws
A violation of Texas’ Child Passenger Safety Seat Systems Act pertaining to a child under the age of eight and not more than 4’9″ tall is a misdemeanor. You may face a penalty of between $25 and $250. A violation of Texas’ Safety Belts Act concerning a kid between the ages of eight and sixteen is a misdemeanor. You may face fines ranging from $100 to more than $200.
The judge may put you on probation, postpone further action, and demand that you take a certified driving safety course approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation if you are convicted of a violation of Texas’ Child Passenger Safety Seat Systems or Safety Belts laws. Four hours of instruction on child passenger safety seat systems and seatbelts are included in the course.
A violation of Texas’ Safety Belts Act concerning a kid between the ages of fifteen and seventeen who fails to buckle up is a misdemeanor. Your child may be fined anywhere from $25 to $50 for this offense.
Car Seat Law Exemptions in Texas
- If your child is being carried in an emergency or for law enforcement purposes, he or she may be exempt from Texas’ Child Passenger Safety Seat Systems legislation.
- If your child was being carried in a vehicle that was not providing non-emergency Medicaid transportation for hire, he or she would be exempt from the Child Passenger Safety Seat Systems Act.
- If your child was being carried in a vehicle in which all seating positions with child passenger safety seat systems or safety belts were occupied, he or she may be exempt from the Child Passenger Safety Seat Systems Act of Texas.
- If you have a written statement from a licensed physician stating that your kid should not wear a safety belt for a medical reason, your youngster may be exempt from the state’s Safety Belts legislation.
Is it Illegal to Smoke in a Car with a Child in Texas?
Smoking in a vehicle with a child passenger is considered a minor offense. but it is recommended not to smoke in a car with a child passenger present. because Secondhand smoke is dangerous, and it’s best to avoid smoking in a vehicle with a kid sitting inside.
Secondhand smoke exposure causes a variety of illnesses in children, including asthma and pneumonia, as well as thousands of preventable hospitalizations. Secondhand smoke causes SIDS and can cause lung cancer and heart attacks if exposed over time.
Car Seat Inspections Help in Texas
- Safe Kids Texas Stations
- Texas Children’s Hospital Car Seat Checks
- Austin-Travis County Car Seat Checks
- Car Seat Inspection Station in Texas
- City of Keller Child Safety Seats
- City of La Porte Child Safety Seat Inspections
- CPS Technician Search: Find a CPS Technician
- Dallas Police Department Safety Seat Inspections
- Dell Children’s Car Seat Safety
- Enter your Zip Code to Find a Station Near You
- Flower Mound Child Safety Seat Inspections
- Irving Police Child Safety Seat Instruction
- Missouri County Car Seat Safety Check
- NHTSA car seat inspection Center
- Pearland Fire Department Car Seat Inspection
- Safe Kids Greater Huston Car Seat Help
- Tree of life Car Seat Installation
Child passenger safety related videos Texas
Securing Our Future
Car Seat Safety By Age: Infants in Rear-facing
Convertible Car Seat Installation Using Seat Belt
Convertible Car Seat Installation Using Seat Belt
More information and resources on car seat safety Texas
- American Academy of Pediatrics Car Seat Recommendations
- American Automobile Association Car Seat Guide
- Are You Using Your Rear-Facing-Only Car Seat Safely?
- Booster Seat Guide
- Booster Seat Installation Checklist
- Car Seat Safety for Kids
- Car Seat Tips for Parents
- Frequently Asked Questions
- NHTSA Car Seat Recommendations
- Surprising Dangers of Infant Car Seats
- Top 5 Things to Do
- Ultimate car Seat guide
USA Child Passenger Safety Laws by State
FIND YOUR STATE’S CAR SEAT LAWS
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