Indiana Car Seat Laws: Everything You Need To Know


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Each year the number of car accidents increases. To combat the chances of injury to adults and children, the National Highway and Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA) put together studies that help to decrease the chances of serious injury in a car accident. Thanks to the studies done by the NHTSA, over 9000 children were saved by the use of a child restraint system.

When checking Indiana car seat laws, it’s easy to get confused, not knowing when children should switch from different kinds of seats. Parents have to use a mix of Indiana laws and NHTSA recommendations along with the manufacturer’s recommendations for the seats they are using. To clear up any confusion we will break down the laws.

Different Seating Arrangements in Indiana 

As children grow, they need to be placed in different seating arrangements. Depending on their age, height, and weight, they may be safer and more comfortable in one seating arrangement more than another. Choosing the right seating arrangement is key to keeping your kiddos safe so, make sure to know the requirements. 

We’ll outline the basics of these seating arrangements below. 

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Rear-Facing Seats

Indiana car seat laws state that children under one year of age should be restrained in some sort of car seat. They also indicate that children must be under 20 pounds to sit facing the front. Because it’s safer to keep children facing the rear of the car, there have been more manufacturers making seats available for children to sit facing the rear up to 40 pounds. 

A few key things that parents can look for when strapping their kids in for a long trip include: 

  • Harness falls at the shoulders
  • The chest clip comes right under the arms
  • The seat belt attaches to the lower anchors
  • Nothing else needs to be attached

 Forward-Facing Seats

Once children reach 1 year of age, parents can consider putting them in seats where they face towards the front. One of the key things to watch for when deciding to use a front-facing car seat is whether or not the child is 20 pounds or under. When using a front-facing seat, parents need to make sure that they fasten their children in correctly and that the seat is safely attached to the car. While this might be a little confusing, we have some information on where you can go for help below.

For a forward-facing seat, parents can make sure that: 

  • The chest clip wraps around armpits
  • They use a 5-point harness
  • Seat belt and strap fall at the right place

Booster Seats

Booster seats are meant for older children and Indiana car seat laws claim that children under the age of 8 should not use a booster seat. They claim that children should be at least 30 pounds and over the age of 8 before parents start to put them in a booster seat. When switching over to a booster seat, parents should make sure: 

  • To use a lap and shoulder seatbelt
  • That seatbelt goes across the body not under the arm or behind the back
  • That the seat has a headrest or some form of protection for the head

Front Seat

Parents have the final say when it comes to putting their children in the front seat. However, Indiana encourages parents to abide by national recommendations and stay out of the front seat until they are at least 13 years old. Parents are encouraged to keep their kids in the back seat as long as they can to avoid any injury to impact.

When children start to use adult seat belts, parents should check that: 

  • Their child’s back is up against the seat and sits straight
  • The seatbelt falls right at the chest and doesn’t get close to the neck or throat
  • The lap part of the belt doesn’t squeeze their abdomen

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Exceptions to Indiana Car Seat Laws

Though some of the laws are pretty clear when it comes to age and weight children in different seats, there are a few areas where it’s a bit ambiguous. For example, there are no laws about children riding in taxis, buses, or older model cars. There are also no laws that cover leaving children in cars. For all of these, parents have to use their best judgment and decide how to keep their children safe. 

The state of Indiana is different from some states in that they are more specific about age and heights. Instead of just releasing laws based on age, they also urge parents to consider the height and weight and do what is recommended by the manufacturer. In this way, children will be safer in every circumstance and parents will be more aware. 

Getting Your Seat Just Right

The state of Indiana understands that it can be confusing to understand how to put your child in a car seat. That’s why they offer several resources for checking if your setup is correct, allowing parents to drive over with their seats and get the help they need. A few places you can try out are: 

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Keep Your Kiddos Strapped Up and Safe 

Accidents happen every day and, in the majority of cases, seat belts come in handy. That’s especially true when you’re carrying around precious cargo like your children. There are lots of resources out there that parents can use to make sure they have the best setup for their kids. 

Before you take off on your summer road trips, be sure to check on your child’s seat and make sure it’s a perfect fit. When in doubt, head over to any kind of checking station, letting an experienced technician take a look. Child restraint systems are getting better and better and you should keep your kid in one. Obey the laws and follow recommendations to keep your kiddos safe in case of an accident.

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