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Car Seat Laws
 
    The U.S. State Governments and Canadian Government have written car seat regulations and laws.  As a service to you, Inventive Parent™ offers the following information.   This should in no way be construed as offering legal advice, but rather a presentation of material collected from various official web sites.  
     The most common questions we receive at Inventive Parent are, 1) When can my baby's rear-facing car seat face forward? and 2) Does my child need to be in a car seat?
     Read the article from our Newsletter on Babies in Rear-Facing Car Seats for more information, including why they face the rear and when to turn them around!
    For further information, please contact your local officials or your pediatrician. 

     We are often asked if, when traveling, you must adhere to the regulations of the state you are driving in or follow your home state's regulations.  As with all traffic laws, you must follow the laws of the road -- the road you are driving on at the time, not the laws of the state you originated in, or are licensed by.
     Inventive ParentT would like to recommend that you take the advice of the most stringent state's regulations, and consider your own state's rules, should they be less, a minimum requirement.  Please remember that automobiles and their safety belts are designed with the average sized adult man in mind.  They, therefore, can not adequately protect a small child. 
     The safest place for a child under 12, often required by law, is in the back seat. 
     A general rule of thumb is that children should be in a booster until their knees bend over the edge of the seat when sitting properly.  You may want to use a seat belt adjust for some time thereafter. 

Don't Miss These Items! They will make your travels safer, easier and more fun. 
   Click on the image for more information.

Taby Tray, In Car Entertainment Center lets kids play, draw, eat in the car!

 Baby Banz & Kidz Banz Sunglasses for kids 0-3 & 3-6 makes time in the car easier with the sun under controll!
Keep that bottle from hitting the floor, flying out the window or rolling under the seat with the Bottle Bungee!

Please use this map as a quick guide only and
refer to specific state regulations by following the links below.

 2003 car seat regulations   Remember, it is not just the law, but a way to help prevent accidental injury or death when your children are riding in a vehicle.  These laws are the minimum requirements.  Children are safer riding in booster seats through  80 pounds than using the vehicle's seats and restraint systems designed for adults. 
     Many states are seeking to change their laws to require children stay in restraints through 8 years and 80 pounds.  You can compare this 2003 map to see what has happened in 3 short years.
    Read and follow the manufacturers instructions to insure proper installation and use of your car seat.  
    Please consider using car seats when traveling by air or train as well.
    We try to keep this information as current as possible.  If you have additional information on your state's child restraint regulations, please contact us.

Follow these links to Car Seat Laws for:
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California  
Colorado      Connecticut
Delaware
District ofColumbia
Florida  
 		 Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana  
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine  
 		 Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire  

 Canada