Car seat laws in America?

Question

Hi. Im going travelling in America with my kids age 7 and 8 both a little bit short for their age. Im flying toi San Fransisco then driving to Las Vegas via Carson City and Bishop then upto Utah do i need to hire booster seats. Thanks for any help.

Answer 1

if they need booster seats wherever you are now, then why wouldn't they need them in america?

Answer 2

some states try to go by an age, but others go by height and weight guidelines. since every state has different laws think I would ask others from the area, do an Internet search on seat belt laws in those states I would be driving, ask the car rental people or a patrol officer. I think that if you can only find one source it would be my guess that if you pass the California laws you would be ok.

Answer 3

if they weigh 40 pounds or less

Answer 4

CHILD CAR SEAT RULES

1. BEFORE YOUR FIRST BIRTHDAY LESS THAN 20 POUNDS REAR-FACING INFANT-ONLY CAR SEAT OR CONVERTIBLE SEAT USED IN REAR-FACING POSITION, SECURED IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR.

2. 20–35 POUNDS CONVERTIBLE SEAT USED IN REAR-FACING POSITION, SECURED IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR. LOOK FOR A CHILD SAFETY SEAT THAT IS RECOMMENDED FOR HEAVIER INFANTS.

3. WHEN YOU ARE 1, 2, 3, AND 4 20–40 POUNDS FACE FORWARD IN A CONVERTIBLE SEAT OR A FORWARD-FACING-ONLY SEAT OR HIGH-BACK BOOSTER/HARNESS IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR.

4. WHEN YOU ARE 4, 5, 6, 7, OR 8 LESS THAN 4’9” (57 INCHES) TALL BELT-POSITIONING BOOSTER SEAT (NO BACK) OR HIGH-BACK BELT-POSITIONING BOOSTER SEAT IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR.

5. WHEN YOU ARE 8, 9, 10, 11, OR 12 MORE THAN 4’9” (57 INCHES) TALL MAY USE AN ADULT SEATBELT, BUT MUST KEEP YOUR BACK AGAINST THE SEAT BACK, YOUR KNEES BENT OVER THE EDGE OF THE SEAT, AND YOUR FEET FLAT ON THE FLOOR IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR.

6. WHEN YOU ARE MORE THAN 12 YEARS OLD MORE THAN 4’9” (57 INCHES) TALL MAY SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OF THE CAR WITH AN ADULT SEATBELT.

Answer 5

You say that you are flying into the country and then driving. Are you renting the car? Ask the rental car company for the booster seats. There may be a charge but most better rental companies would not charge you. They will also know the rules that you should follow.

Answer 6

i would!!

you need to protect your kids

they should be in a booster seat until 12 years old

its now law

Answer 7

Per National Highway Traffic Safety Administration a child must be in a safety seat if they are less then 100 lbs (45 kg).  Booster seats are for children 40lbs (18 kg) - 100 lbs (45 kg) and children under 40 lbs must be in a car seat.

However, each state laws vary slightly on the weight, better err on the side of caution and use the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rules then guess.