Car Seat Safety Program

California Child Passenger Safety Law
Effective January 2017

Children under 2 years of age shall ride in a rear-facing car seat unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds OR is 40 or more inches tall. The child shall be secured in a manner that complies with the height and weight limits specified by the manufacturer of the car seat.

Current California Law:

• Children under the age of 8 must be secured in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat.
• Children who are 8 years of age OR have reached 4’9” in height must be secured by a safety belt.
• Children under 2 years of age shall ride in a rear-facing car seat unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds, or is 40 or more inches tall. The child shall be secured in a manner that complies with the height and weight limits specified by the manufacturer of the car seat.
• Passengers who are 16 years of age and over are subject to California's Mandatory Seat Belt law.

Dangers In and Around Cars and Kaitlyn's Law
It is against California Law to leave a child who is 6 years of age or younger along in the car without the supervision of a person at least 12 years old if: 

1. The keys are in the ignition or the car is running, or;
2. There is significant risk to the child.

Children are most at risk of being injured when vehicles are moving forward or backing out of a driveway.  Know the blind zones of your vehicle. 

Look before you lock to be sure you have not left a child in the back seat.  Heatstroke as a result of a child being left in a vehicle is a terrible tragedy.

Page Last Updated: July 22, 2019