According to New Jersey Child Passenger Safety Law, children under eight years old and a height of 57 inches should ride in the rear seat with a size-appropriate restraint system in compliance with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
This is an updated version that took effect on September 1st, 2015.
New Jersey Child Passenger Restraints Requirements
New Jersey State Legislation in C.39:3-76.2a 1 reads: "Every person operating a motor vehicle, other than a school bus, [...] shall secure the child under 8 years of age and less than 57 inches in height in a child passenger restraint system or booster seat, as described in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 213, in a rear seat."
Rear-Facing
New Jersey Rear-facing Car Seat Laws
Forward-Facing
New Jersey Forward facing Car Seat Rules
Booster
New Jersey Booster Seat Laws
Front Seat Laws
When can child sit in front seat New Jersey
Car Seats List
Best car seat to meet New Jersey laws
US Car Seat Laws
Seat Laws across the United States
New Jersey Rear-Facing Car Seat Laws
According to New Jersey law in section C.39:3-76.2a subsection 1 part a, children under the age of 2 years and 30 pounds are required to travel in a rear-facing seat equipped with a 5-point harness.
Safety tips:
- Never put a rear-facing car seat in the forward-facing position or in front of an active airbag.
- Use a convertible or all-in-one car seat that allows 2-years-old toddlers to face the rear for a longer time.
New Jersey Forward Facing Car Seat Laws
The rules in section C.39:3-76.2a subsection 1 part a indicate that children who are less than 4 years old and 40 pounds can either travel in a rear-facing or forward-facing car seat.
The NJ law requires the parents to keep using the rear-facing car seat for as long as possible, then switch to a forward-facing car seat with a 5-point harness.
When should a child be forward-facing NJ?
The New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety indicates that a child can face front when they exceed the weight or height limit of their rear-facing car seats or at least 2 years old.
Safety tips:
- A 5-point harness is required in both rear-facing and forward-facing car seats.
- Stick to the current stage until the child reaches the upper weight or height limits allowed by the car seat manufacturers.
What is the Law for Booster Seats in NJ?
Children can travel in a belt-positioning booster seat after they reach the upper limits of the forward-facing seat.
According to the New Jersey regulations section C.39:3-76.2a subsection 1 part c, the booster seat should be used until 8 years old and a height of 57 inches.
Under no circumstance, your child can travel in a booster seat if they are less than 4 years of age, meaning you can keep using the forward-facing seat even after 4 years of age until the child is ready to fit a booster seat.
Safety tips:
- The booster seat age in New Jersey is eight years old, meaning that your kid will be able to get out of a car seat on the eighth birthday.
- The NJ law requires a minimum age of 4 to put a child in a booster. This age requirement is also commonly seen in the booster seat description by manufacturers.
Seat Belt Laws for New Jersey
In New Jersey, according to the rules in section NJS 39:3-76.2f, children over 8 years of age or 57 inches in height must be properly secured by a seat belt.
The NJ law does not mention requirements for children in a seat belt. Interpreting the booster seat law and rules in a seat belt, you should keep your child in a booster seat as long as they reach the height or weight limit set by the manufacturer.
The New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety also implements the rules in the seat belts.
Safety tips:
- Always use Lap and Shoulder Seat Belts for optimal protection.
- Even the NJ car seat law does not require a maximum age requirement to be secured with a seat belt, but it’s understandable, as big kids and adults should always wear a seat belt for riding.
When can a child legally sit in the front seat in New Jersey?
New Jersey law doesn’t give a specific age when your child can sit in the front seat. Experts recommend that you keep your child in the back seat until they are 13.
Penalty for Breaking Car Seat Laws in New Jersey
You can find the punishment of violating the laws and rules in section C.39:3-76.2d 4 on fines.
Failure to obey the regulations in New Jersey will be fined between $50 and $75 for the offense.
New Jersey Car Seat Laws Apply for
The driver is responsible for assuring that each child is properly restrained pursuant to New Jersey laws and rules, no matter whether you are a resident or traveler.
Exceptions
The school bus is mentioned as the only exception in the NJ law in section C.39:3-76.2a subsection 1.
Taxi Car Seat Law in New Jersey
There are no taxis things mentioned in the NJ law.
Taxicab is considerably required to obey the rules in New Jersey.
Age, Weight, Height Requirements in New Jersey Law
The New Jersey law has age, weight, and height requirements, especially the rear-facing and forward-facing laws. The age and weight requirements are relatively strict.
Rear-facing (stage 1): under two years old & 30 pounds
Forward-facing (stage 2): four years old & 40 pounds
Booster (stage 3): eight years old and a height of 57 inches
Seat belt (stage 4): over 8 years of age or higher than 57 inches
Best Car Seats to Work with New Jersey Laws
Based on the Louisiana child car seat laws, here are the best car seats that will ride your boys or girls safely without breaking the rules.
To help parents quickly find the best option based on your child’s current age, this list is made by age.
Newborn - 2 Years Old
Rear-facing car seats
Birth - 4 Years Old
Convertible car seats for use
4-8 Years Old
Booster seats for use
With Special Functions
Car seats with Unique Features
Birth - 2 Years
30-lb rear-facing maximum weight
35-lb rear-facing maximum weight
Further Information
40-lb rear-facing maximum weight
50-lb rear-facing maximum weight
Further Information
Birth - 4 Years
65-lb forward-facing maximum weight
49-inch forward-facing maximum height
Further Information
Further Information
4-8 Years
100-lb booster maximum weight
120-lb booster maximum weight
57-in booster maximum height
63-in booster maximum height
Further Information
Further Information
- Best to Fit 3 Across – Diono Radian 3R
- Best with backless booster – Graco 4Ever DLX
The Diono Cambria 2 XL combines a highback and backless booster into one. It provides spacious room for growing big kids.
Diono Cambria 2 XL
- Weight Range: 40-120 lb.
- Height Limit: 63 in.
- Lifespan: 8 years
- Type: Booster
- Stage: 3rd
- Suitable for: 4-10 years old
The Good
- Up to 120 lb weight limit for big kids
- Up to 63-inch height limit
- XL size for roomy space
- Two modes for booster
- 8 years of lifespan
The Bad
- Can’t be installed on airplane
- Not fit 3 across
Car Seats with Unique Functions
For Travel
- Doona infant car seat stroller (with wheels)
- Evenfloy Shyft DualRide (wheeled car seat stroller combo)
Further Information
Slim Fit to Do 3 Across
- Diono Radian 3R and Radian series (17″)
- Evenflo Revolve360 Slim (16.75″)
Car seat with 5-point harness
- Britax One4Life (120 lbs/ 63”)
Further Information
Further Information
Sources
- New Jersey Legislations on Child Passenger Restraint
- New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety on Child Car Seat
- New Jersey Seat Belt Laws
FAQs about New Jersey Car Seat Laws
My son is 7 years old and is 58 inches tall. Is he required to ride in a booster seat?
No. Once a child is 8 years of age, s/he no longer needs to ride in a booster seat, but s/he must be secured in a properly adjusted seat belt.
Note: While the children described above are exempt from the child restraint law, the seat belt may not fit them properly. The lap belt should lay across the child’s upper thigh (the pant’s pocket area) and across the chest and collar bone (so that it’s not cutting into the neck)
Use the seat belt fit test on all children under 13 years of age to be sure they are big enough to safely use the adult seat belt without a booster seat.
- Have the child sit all the way back on the vehicle seat. Check to see if the knees bend naturally at the seat edge. If they do, continue the test. If they do not – the child should continue to ride in a booster seat.
- Buckle the lap and shoulder belt. Be sure the lap belt lies across the upper legs (the pant’s pocket area). If it lays across the upper thighs, move on to the next step. If it does not, the child should continue to ride in a booster seat.
- Be sure the shoulder belt lies on the shoulder or collarbone (and is not cutting into the neck). If it lies on the shoulder, move to the next step. If it is on the face or neck, the child should continue to ride in a booster seat. DO NOT place the shoulder belt under the arm or behind the child’s back!
- Be sure that your child can maintain the correct seating position for as long as you are in the car. If your child begins to slouch or shift position so the safety belt contacts the face, neck, or abdomen, the child should continue to ride a booster seat until all the steps can be met.