Infant Forward Facing Car Seat Laws

Well until your child has met the weight height limits of their rear facing car seat and met the requirements of any state laws it is preferable to keep them rear facing.

Infant forward facing car seat laws.

Properly install according to instructions in owner s manual rear facing in the back seat. There are two types of rear facing car seats. Rear or forward facing child car seat high backed booster seat or booster cushion using a seat belt harness or safety shield manufacturers can now only make booster cushions approved as group 3. Convertible and all in on e car seats typically have higher height and weight limits for the rear facing position allowing you to keep your child rear facing for a longer.

The washington child passenger restraint law rcw 46 61 687 requires the following. Children age one 1 through age three 3 and weighing more than twenty 20 pounds must be secured in a child safety seat in a forward facing position in the rear seat if available or according to the child safety restraint system or vehicle manufacturer s instructions. Infant only seats can on ly be used rear facing. A child at least 4 years old who has outgrown their forward facing child passenger restraint system seat must be secured by a belt positioning booster seat secured in a rear seat of the vehicle with a lap shoulder belt until they can meet the height and fit requirements for an adult safety seat belt.

Use a rear facing infant or rear facing convertible safety seat as long as possible up to the rear facing height or weight limit of the seat. Read the forward facing car seat s owner s manual to determine height and weight limits and keep your child in a harnessed seat for as long as possible. Children under age 1 should always ride in a rear facing car seat. A child is ready for a booster seat when they have outgrown the weight or height limit of their forward facing harnesses which is typically between 40 and 65 pounds.

By law children under age 2 should always ride in a rear facing car seat. A child in a rear facing car seat may only ride in the front seat if the airbag is turned off. Children are to ride in a rear facing safety seat until the age of two or the child reaches the minimum weight limit for a forward facing safety seat as prescribed by the manufacturer of the safety seat. Children can no longer ride unrestrained in the rear cargo area of vehicles.

Children ages 2 to 4 must ride in a car seat with a harness rear or forward facing. Children 4 years and older must ride in a car or booster seat until they are 4 9 in height. Effective july 1 2019.