Ohio Car Seat Laws: Everything You Need To Know
Photo by Oz Seyrek on Unsplash
If you drive in Ohio and have children, there are essential car seat safety laws that you should know. Let’s review this important information and look at other helpful details, including Ohio car seat laws.
Who Regulates Child Car Seats?
The oversight of child car seats and their use is divided into two areas: federal and state.
Federal Regulations
Federal law regulates the design and manufacture of car seats through Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 213, which is overseen by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Yes, that’s a lot of government initials, but FMVSS 213 spells out:
- Safety and labeling standards for all car seats
- Testing methods that manufacturers must use to confirm car seat performance
- Age and weight ranges for the different types of car seats
Keep in mind that each approved car seat sold in the U.S. will have a manufacture sticker confirming that the seat has passed FMVSS 213 testing.
FEEL SECURE IN THE CAR YOU CHOOSE
You don’t want to buy a car - you want to get the best deal on the car you’re looking for. The CoPilot app will notify you if there’s a similar vehicle in your area at a better price, so you’re always certain you got the best deal available.
State Regulations
State regulations, including Ohio car seat laws, mandate who must use a child car seat and the penalties for not complying. Specifically, Ohio car seat laws mandate:
- Children under four years of age or 40 pounds must use a safety seat that passes federal safety standards
- Children under eight years of age, unless they are at least 57 inches, must use a booster seat
- Children ages 8-15 must a child safety seat or vehicle safety belt.
Fines for non-compliance range from $25-$75 per occurrence. Like regulations in many other states, Ohio’s car seat laws require car seat use for children up to age 8.
Types of Car Seats
Just as important as knowing car seat laws is understanding the different types of car seats. Kids grow fast, so the right car seat must be used for their height, weight, and age. Keep reading as we review the different types of car seats.
Infant Car Seat
Just as the name implies, an infant car seat is for babies. It’s the first car seat you’ll use for a child. In most cases, these small “baby buckets” can be used for the first year, always face the rear of the car, and attach to a stroller. In addition, a base unit stays in the car while the seat itself is easily removed (with the baby) for convenient use. Some models can handle kids up to two years old, too. Pay attention to the seat’s height and weight limits; as soon as your child reaches either, it’s time to move on to the next seat.
Convertible Car Seat
A convertible car seat is the next stage in the car seat cycle. It’s called a convertible in that the seat starts rear-facing and then converts to a forward-facing seat when the child is older and larger. It’s not unusual for a child to stay in a convertible seat until age five or beyond. Because these seats are designed to hold larger kids, they are bigger and take up more room in the back seat; something to consider when car shopping. In addition, some convertible car seats can accommodate infants and take the place of a separate infant car seat. However, these convertibles stay in the car and are not be easily removed like an infant car seat.
THE BEST CARS FOR SNOW
Winter driving impacts young and experienced drivers alike. We’ve compiled a list of the best cars for snow, so you can get from Point A to Point B as safely as possible.
Booster Car Seat
Unlike infant and convertible car seats that use an integrated harness to secure a child, a booster car seat uses the vehicle’s seat belt for the same purpose. Most booster seats are for a child at least four years old and 40 pounds and can accommodate an average-sized kid up to age eight. Think of a booster car seat as more of a positioner that helps the vehicle’s seat belt rest correctly across the child’s lap and shoulder. Keep in mind that some convertible seats may convert into boosters.
All-in-One Car Seat
An all-in-one (AIO) is a newer product incorporating all three types of car seats into one product. The idea is appealing for many parents as you only have to buy one car seat, even if it can be more expensive than another type of seat when individually purchased. However, in general, you’ll spend more to buy all three types of seats (infant, convertible, and booster) combined than just a single AIO seat.
Yet, AIOs have some disadvantages, too. First, you’ll be using this seat for at least eight years, and car seats get VERY dirty. So, you’ll either have to spend time cleaning the seat or wind up replacing it altogether later on. Second, consider that car seat safety technology rapidly changes (just like with cars), so an AIO seat may not offer state-of-the-art protection five years from now. And, lastly, an AIO does not connect to a stroller.
Car Seat Installation and Use
No matter how much you spend on a car seat, its ability to protect a child is compromised if it’s not installed correctly. In fact, the federal government says this happens as much as 75% of the time. It’s a serious issue, so always read the car seat user manual and vehicle owner’s manual for installation instructions. NHTSA also offers a car seat inspection finder to locate help from a certified child passenger safety technician. Proper use of the car seat is vital, too. Read the user manual to ensure the harness is used correctly and that the child’s height, weight, and age are appropriate for the seat.
Rear-Facing Car Seats
Eventually, your child will be in a forward-facing car seat, but don’t be in a rush to make this happen. Most car accidents involve front-end collisions, so child car seats are designed for this possibility. When rear-facing, the entire car seat infrastructure is designed to protect the child. Yet, when forward-facing, the only thing protecting the child is the harness or vehicle seat belt.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a rear-facing child seat position at least until age two and longer, if possible (and within the limits of the car seat). In Europe, for example, it’s not unusual to see a rear-facing child at age four. Some states are beginning to mandate rear-facing until age two; however, Ohio car seat laws do not at this time.
THE BEST USED MINIVANS ON THE MARKET
When it comes to hauling a lot of people and cargo, the minivan is hard to beat. We’ve factored in reliability, affordability, and functionality to create this curated list of the 8 best used minivans on the market today.
Expiration Dates and Car Seats
Car seats do have expiration dates; check an accompanying sticker on the seat for details. Depending on the manufacturer, this can mean a usability period of 5-12 years. The idea here is that exposure to extreme temperatures may weaken the ability of a car seat’s materials to provide protection.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.
The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.
