If you are a new parent, expectant parent, or grandparent, you may have questions regarding West Virginia’s car seat laws. Car seat laws can be confusing, and they vary by state. Understanding West Virginia car seat laws will benefit you in avoiding any penalties. More importantly, it will assist you in protecting your child or grandchild!
- West Virginia Car Seat Laws
- West Virginia Child Passenger Safety Requirements
- West Virginia Rear-facing Car Seat Law
- West Virginia Forward-facing Car Seat Law
- West Virginia booster seat law for young kids
- Requirements for children to use the front seat in West Virginia
- Taxi Car Seat Law in West Virginia
- West Virginia car seat replacement law after Accident
- Law on leaving a child in a car in West Virginia
- Penalties for Violating West Virginia Car Seat Laws
- When Can My Child Sit in the Front Seat in West Virginia?
- Is it Illegal to Smoke in a Car with a Child in West Virginia ?
- Car Seat Inspections Help in West Virginia
- Child passenger safety related videos West Virginia
- More information and resources on car seat safety West Virginia
- USA Child Passenger Safety Laws by State
- USA Child Passenger Safety Laws by State
West Virginia Car Seat Laws
All children under the age of eight must be strapped in a child passenger safety device system that fulfills federal standards, according to the legislation. Children must wear safety belts if they are 4’9″ or taller. West Virginia does not specify the age, weight, or height requirements for the various types of car seats.
According to the child passenger safety law of West Virginia,
every driver who transports a child under the age of eight years […] provide for the protection of the child by properly placing, maintaining and securing the child in a child passenger safety device system meeting applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.
West Virginia Child Passenger Safety Requirements
West Virginia legislation makes no mention of the minimum age or weight standards for different seats. According to the law, the child must be restrained in an age-appropriate child passenger safety equipment system. There is no hard and fast rule for determining which seat is necessary for a given child. You must refer to the car seat instructions to determine the appropriate age and weight for each seat.
West Virginia Rear-facing Car Seat Law
The law in West Virginia does not define when you should transition. Infants, on the other hand, should be rear-facing for as long as possible.
Infants should ride rear-facing until they are at least 2 years old, or until they exceed the manufacturer’s weight and height limits, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
West Virginia Forward-facing Car Seat Law
Once children outgrow their rear-facing seats, they should transition to a forward-facing seat with an internal harness. It is advised that you use a seat with a five-point harness.
West Virginia booster seat law for young kids
When children outgrow their forward-facing seats, booster seats should be used. A child should weigh at least 40 pounds before upgrading to booster seats. West Virginia law requires children eight years old or taller than 4’9″ to graduate to safety belts. Booster seats are used to lift a child sufficiently to allow for an appropriate fit of the child’s safety belt. A correct fit is defined by the lap portion lying low across the upper thighs and the shoulder section fitting snugly across the chest center.
Requirements for children to use the front seat in West Virginia
In West Virginia, there is no law that says when your child can sit in the front seat. As of recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics has changed its recommendations. They say that your child should stay in the back seat until they are 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 West Virginia
The law exempts rental cars from the state’s car seat laws. This means that any vehicle driven by a hired driver is not subject to car seat regulations. but if you have your own seat, they must give you enough time for installation.
West Virginia car seat replacement law after Accident
There is no law requiring car seats to be replaced. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, on the other hand, recommends replacing automobile seats following a serious or moderate collision.
“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 West Virginia
There are no regulations prohibiting parents from leaving their children unsupervised in cars. It is never a good idea to leave your child unsupervised in a vehicle for an extended period of time.
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 West Virginia Car Seat Laws
You may be found guilty of a misdemeanor and fined between $10.00 and $20.00 if you violate West Virginia’s child passenger safety device legislation.
You may be fined $25.00 if you break West Virginia’s safety belt requirement. You will not be billed court costs or other fines, and your driving record will remain unblemished.
When Can My Child Sit in the Front Seat in West Virginia?
The law does not specify what age children will be to sit in the front seat. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ride in the rear seat until they are 13 years old. If you must ride in the front seat with a child, ensure that the passenger-side airbag is disabled or turned off.
Is it Illegal to Smoke in a Car with a Child in West Virginia ?
It is not illegal to smoke in a car carrying children. However, a bill has been introduced which will make it illegal.
However, we do not believe that it is better to smoke if you have children inside your car. 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 that 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.
Child passenger safety related videos West Virginia
Infant car seat installation
Car Seat Safety Teaching
The car seat safety check that could save your child’s life
Car Seat Safety Demonstration
More information and resources on car seat safety West Virginia
- American Academy of Pediatrics Car Seat Recommendations
- American Automobile Association Car Seat Guide
- Booster Seat Installation Checklist
- Car seat safety: Avoid 9 common mistakes
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention Child Passenger Safety
- Indiana University School of Medicine Best Practices & Recommendations
- NHTSA Car Seat Recommendations
- Parent and Caregiver Resources
- Premature Babies and Babies with Medical Conditions
- Safe Travels: Car Seat Safety for Children & Infants
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
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
