Texas Car Seat Laws: Everything You Need To Know
Photo by Adam Thomas on Unsplash
When you have children in the car, you want to take extra precautions to keep them safe. Not only does that entail driving safer and paying more attention but also means strapping your children into their car seats and seatbelts. In addition, you have to abide by Texas car seat laws, avoiding penalties while you’re on the road.
Below, we have a breakdown of the laws along with specifics for different seating arrangements. Plus, we’ll share how you can check your child’s seat for safety and where you can go to get things set up for a safe ride.
Texas Car Seat Laws
In the state of Texas, no passenger can ride in a car without a safety belt. The law is made for adults and children aged eight years old and up. The laws change a bit when dealing with younger children, requiring a proper seating system for all children.
According to the Texas Transportation Code, any child that is under eight years of age should be strapped into the proper seat, whether it is a car seat, booster seat, or a seat that’s manufactured for babies within your vehicle.
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Seating Arrangement for Children
The laws do not go into too much detail when it comes to seating arrangements for children. That’s because the seating you choose depends on where you get it from and the weight and height of your child. Still, there are a few suggestions or rules based on age, all of which we’ll share with you below.
Rear-Facing Seats in Texas
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, no child under the age of one should be front-facing while riding in a car. From the time you strap your child in to drive them home from the hospital all the way until one year or older or meet the requirements for height and weight according to the manufacturer of your seat.
Front-Facing Seats in Texas
As far as switching to a front=facing seat, the laws do not go into too much detail with requirements. However, they do state that your child should meet the requirements as per the manufacture and also fit safely into the straps and seatbelts that come along with them. Before switching your children, check their height and weight and always make sure straps and buckles are in the proper spot.
Booster Seats in Texas
Once your kiddos start to get a little older, you can switch them from a car seat to a booster seat. The state of Texas states that booster seats should be for children that are at least four years of age. On top of that, they must meet weight requirements, which say that they should weigh at least 80 pounds.
Though it is not written in Texas car seat laws, it is recommended by most experts that booster seats be secured with two belts, one about the shoulders and one around the lap. Because there are two before you switch your kiddos, make sure that the straps fall at the right place and they are in a safe position for travel.
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Switching to the Front Seat
Though your child is probably always asking when they can ride in the front with you, you should wait until they are big enough for their safety. There is not a specific age limit according to law, though they do ask parents to consider recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
According to them, they say that children should remain in the back seat until they are 13 or over. The front seats are sometimes more dangerous for children, especially due to airbags that could be too rough for children under a certain age or weight. Always follow recommendations for the vehicle you’re driving and those released by institutions that study transportation safety for children.
Making the Switch to Seat Belts
Your child may be excited that they get to sit in the car and buckle up like adults do but, don’t rush this step. Texas car seat laws do not state the age at which children can wear regular seatbelts, leaving it up to the parents to make the most informed decision. Even if your child is more than five years old, you should still check for a few things to make sure they are safe.
Before strapping them into a normal belt, make sure that they can:
- Sit with their back up against the back seat without slouching
- Have their legs extend over the seat and dangle down
- Be strapped in with the seatbelt hitting the right places around the lap and neck
Inspecting your Seats
In case you feel like you have questions or you just want to make sure that you’re doing everything right, the state of Texas offers several areas where you can go and check. First of all, you can go to any police station or fire station, allowing them to check your setup and make sure it’s safe for your child.
In addition, you can visit any Safe Kids Station in Texas, getting a full look at the safety of your seat and seeing if you need to make any changes to your normal driving routine. After checking, you should feel safer with your kid in the car, knowing they’re buckled up and ready to hit the road.
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Check the Laws and Use your Best Judgement
There’s a lot of wiggle room in Texas laws when it comes to children. That’s because there is no way to determine safety by age. Instead, they recommend following recommendations from the manufacturer and experts that test for safety and function.
Though there are age limits in some cases, laws in Texas do put one thing out there loud and clear, children must be properly strapped in and in a safety belt at all times, no matter what their age. Keep your children safe and out of harm’s way, strapping them in correctly before you take them for a ride.
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