According to the North Dakota State Law, children under 8 years of age should be secured in a child restraint system ( car seat or booster) properly following the manufacturer’s instructions.
What is the car seat law in North Dakota?
The North Dakota Legislature Laws in 39-21-41.2 read: "If a child, under eight years of age, is present in a motor vehicle, that motor vehicle must be equipped with at least one child restraint system for the child. However, a child under the age of eight who is at least fifty-seven inches [1.45 meters] tall is not required to use a child restraint system, but must be correctly buckled in a safety belt."
North Dakota State Regulations
Rear-Facing
North Dakota Rear-facing Car Seat Laws
Forward-Facing
North Dakota Forward facing Car Seat Rules
Booster
North Dakota Booster Seat Laws
Front Seat Laws
When can child sit in front seat in North Dakota
Car Seats List
Best car seat to meet North Dakota laws
US Car Seat Laws
Seat Laws across the United States
North Dakota Rear-Facing Car Seat Laws
The North Dakota law does not have a specific requirement on the rear-facing car seats. But North Dakota Department of Health recommends that children under the age of 2 should be secured in a rear-facing car seat as long as they reach the height or weight limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer.
The NDDH also recommends using an infant car seat or convertible car seat for this stage.
North Dakota Forward Facing Car Seat Laws
While the ND law doesn’t specify the age, weight, or height requirements on the forward-facing position, it’s best to follow the guidelines of the North Dakota Department of Health:
Children who are at least two years old can use a forward-facing car seat with a harness as long as they fall without the highest weight or height Stated by the car seat manufacturers.
Some harnessed car seats can be used from 40 to 100 pounds until the child is big enough to use a seat belt.
However, weight is not the deciding factor for the seat belt law in North Dakota.
Child Booster Seat Laws in North Dakota
The North Dakota law children younger than 8 years of age to ride in a child restraint, including a car seat or booster seat.
According to the NDDH recommendation, the child should be at least 4 years of age and 40 pounds to use a booster until they are 4 feet 9 inches or taller, or until the seat belt fits correctly over the child’s body.
It’s best to keep using a booster as long as possible. Most boosters can be used up to 80-120 pounds.
Seat Belt Laws for Child in North Dakota
The North Dakota law says that children ages 8 through 17 must be properly secured in a seat belt or child restraint.
The best practice is to keep using a booster seat then switch to a seat belt after your child reaches the weight or height limit of their booster seats.
Penalty for Breaking Car Seat Laws in North Dakota
The penalty for violating the ND law is a fine of $25 and one point against the license of the driver.
North Dakota Car Seat Laws Apply for
The driver is responsible for ensuring that all occupants younger than 18 are buckled up in the appropriate restraint.
The law applies to all seating positions – front seat and back.
The rules in section 39-21-41.2 also indicate two exceptional cases:
- The motor vehicle is not equipped with safety belts when manufactured.
- The child is transported in an emergency situation.
When can a child sit in the front seat in North Dakota?
How old do you have to be to ride in the front seat in North Dakota?
Although there is no exact age in North Dakota law when your child can sit in the front seat, ND law says that children who are taller than 57” or older than 8 years can travel without a car seat.
However, AAP and the North Dakota Department of Health recommend that children 12 and younger should ride in the back seat, no matter the front seat has airbags or not.
Taxi Car Seat Law in North Dakota
No clear laws are present in North Dakota for using car seats in taxis. It is recommended you always use a car seat when you are on the road.
Age, Weight, Height Requirements in North Dakota Law
The ND law has several age requirements, no weight or height requirements mentioned.
Younger than 8 years of age
In a child restraint. It can be a car seat or booster seat.
Age between 8-17 Child restraint or seat belt is good based on the child’s age, weight, or height.
Younger than 18 years old
Properly restrained
However, the best practice is to follow the North Dakota Department of Health, which gives more details.
- Rear-facing (stage 1): under 2 years old
- Forward-facing (stage 2): 2 years of age or older and under 40 pounds
- Booster (stage 3): 40 pounds or more and 4 years or older, below 4 feet 9 inches.
- Seat belt ( stage 4): 8 years of age or older
Further Information
What you Need to Know – Four Car Seat Stages
Best Car Seats to Work with North Dakota Laws
Based on the North Dakota 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
- North Dakota Highway Portal FAQs on car seat laws
- North Dakota Law Fact Sheet on child passenger safety
North Dakota Legislations on child restraint devices