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 Law

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 Car Seat Laws

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:

  1. Is the child able to sit all of the way back against the auto seat?
  2. Are the child’s knees able to bend comfortably at the edge of the vehicle seat?
  3. Is the belt crossing over the shoulder between the neck and arm?
  4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, with the thighs?
  5. 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

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

AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY DC

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

AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY DC
Share this, Sharing is caring :)

Similar Posts