If you’re finding Texas car seat laws in 2022, you’re right here.
According to Texas State Law, all children younger than 8 years old must be secured in a child safety seat whenever they ride in a vehicle unless they are taller than 4 feet 9 inches.
Older children who have outgrown a booster seat must be buckled with a seat belt.
Here in this guide for Texas child seat laws, we try to provide as many details as possible to explain the Texas car seat laws on booster seat age and height requirements, rear-facing and forward-facing rules, and when a child can sit in the front seat in Texas.
Overview of Texas Car Seat Laws 2022
Texas Legislature in Sec. 545.412. (a) on Child Passenger Safety Seat System reads: “A person commits an offense if the person operates a passenger vehicle, transports a child who is younger than eight years of age, unless the child is taller than four feet, nine inches, and does not keep the child secured during the operation of the vehicle in a child passenger safety seat system.”
The child seat laws go into three car seat stages – rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster. So we also talk about Texas car seat laws in these three categories.
Can’t wait to know the Texas booster seat laws. Just click the booster field below.
Rear-Facing
Texas Rear-facing Car Seat Laws
Forward-Facing
Texas Forward facing Car Seat Rules
Booster
Texas Booster Seat Laws
Front Seat Laws
When can child sit in front seat Texas
Car Seats List
Best car seat to meet Texas laws
US Car Seat Laws
Seat Laws across the United States
Texas Rear-Facing Car Seat Laws
Texas law does not say anything about rear-facing car seats, but the Texas Department of Transportation indicates the rule – children under 2 years of age should travel in a rear-facing car seat.
Birth to two years old: All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing car seat until they are 2 years old, or until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their safety seat's manufacturer.
The best practice is to keep your child rear-facing as long as possible until they reach the upper weight or height limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer.
Under 2 years old
Car seat height and weight limits
Texas Forward Facing Car Seat Laws
Over two years old: Any child two or older who has outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit for a car seat, should use a forward-facing car seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by their car seat's manufacturer. This also applies to any child younger than two years who has outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit of their seat.
When can baby face forward in car seat 2022 Texas?
Texas car seat law does not state requirements on forward-facing either. The Texas Department of Transportation implements the regulations.
Children two years or older must travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness, in the back seat, after they outgrow the rear-facing seat limit.
The limits for rear-facing car seats vary depending on the car seat types.
Infant car seats are typically designed for newborn babies, while convertible and all-in-one car seats are friendly for toddlers around 2-4 years old, thanks to their higher weight and height limits.
2 years or older
Car seat weight and height limits
Further Information
Texas Booster Seat Laws
What are the height and weight requirements for booster seats in Texas?
After a child exceeds the weight or height limit for the forward-facing car seat, according to the rules provided by the Texas Department of Transportation, they should use a belt-positioning booster seat until they reach 4 feet 9 inches in height and between 8 and 12 years of age.
In this law states, you’ll find that two of the three common requirements – age and height are mentioned, and weight is not a leading requirement in a booster seat.
Ages four to eight years old: Children whose weight or height exceeds the limit for a forward-facing car seat should switch to a belt-positioning booster seat. These children should remain in a booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly, typically when they reach 4 feet 9 inches in height and are between eight and 12 years of age.
Does my 9-year-old need a booster seat in Texas?
Depends. If your 9-year-old is over 4 feet 9 inches in height, the vehicle seat belt may fit them well for security, so they don’t need a booster. Otherwise, it’s best to keep them in a booster seat for better protection.
Does my 8-year-old need a booster seat in Texas?
This is the same as the above question. It depends on your child’s height, which is the deciding factor for getting out of a booster.
Does a 6-year-old need a car seat in Texas?
Yes, absolutely.
Age for Booster Seat in Texas
Texas booster seat law does not mention the age rule.
It’s the Texas Department of Transportation supplement the Texas laws on booster seats, saying that child under 8 years old should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat.
Weight and Height for Booster Seats Texas
4 feet 9 inches appear in the Texas child seat laws, according to the government regulations. But it’s not specified about the booster.
The Texas Department of Transportation explains with more details on booster seat height requirements – it’s 57-inch as well.
No weight requirement on booster seats in Texas.
under 8 years old
under 4’9″ tall
Further Information
Texas Seat Belt Laws for Child
allows a child who is younger than 17 years of age and who is not required to be secured in a child passenger safety seat system under Section 545.412(a) to ride in the vehicle without requiring the child to be secured by a safety belt, provided the child is occupying a seat that is equipped with a safety belt.
Checklist to know if the seat belt fits your child or not:
- The child’s knees bend over the edge of the vehicle seat cushion and feet should rest flat on the floor.
- The child is sitting with their back against the seat and not slouching.
- The shoulder belt rests across their chest midway between the shoulder and neck.
- The lap belt fits low and snug across the hips, touching the upper thighs.
at least 8 years old
under 17 years of age
57 inches or taller
Texas Front Seat Laws
When can a child sit in the front seat in Texas?
According to the Texas child seat laws, there is no specific age requirement when a child can sit in the front.
Texas Department of Public Safety says that children are ready for a car’s adult seat belt at the age of 12.
According to AAP and other experts, this can be a good time for your child to start traveling in the front seat.
Not specified
Not specified
Penalty for Breaking Car Seat Laws in Texas
The rule in violating the law in Texas state can result in a ticket of up to $250.
Texas Car Seat Laws Apply for
Drivers who ride with a child are responsible for keeping the child in an appropriate child restraint system.
Exceptions
(1) operating a vehicle transporting passengers for hire, excluding third-party transport service providers when transporting clients pursuant to a contract to provide non-emergency Medicaid transportation; or
(2) transporting a child in a vehicle in which all seating positions equipped with child passenger safety seat systems or safety belts are occupied.
Taxi Car Seat Law in Texas
Taxis are not required to follow the Texas law with a saying that child restraint law doesn’t apply to “vehicles transporting for hire”.
Age, Weight, Height Requirements in Texas Law
Birth to two years old:
All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing car seat until they are 2 years old, or until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their safety seat’s manufacturer.
Over two years old:
Any child two or older who has outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit for a car seat should use a forward-facing car seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by their car seat’s manufacturer. This also applies to any child younger than two years who has outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit of their seat.
Ages four to eight years old:
Children whose weight or height exceeds the limit for a forward-facing car seat should switch to a belt-positioning booster seat. These children should remain in a booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly, typically when they reach 4 feet 9 inches in height and are between eight and 12 years of age.
Best Car Seats for Travel in Texas
Based on the Texas 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.
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
This convertible car seat is great enough to meet the parent’s need to ride their kids in the rear- and front-facing for a longer time. It features 50-lb rear-facing weight limit to be one of the best rear-facing car seats for 2 years old.
When using it facing front, the 65-lb weight limit makes it go through the preschool ages – 3 years old, 4 years old, and 5 years old.
Graco Extend2Fit
- Weight Range: 4-50 lb. (RF) & 22-65 lb. (FF)
- Height Limit: 32 in. (RF) & 49 in. (FF)
- Lifespan: 10 years
- Type: Convertible
- Stage: 1st, 2nd
- Suitable for: Birth to 7 years old
The Good
- 50 lbs high rear-facing limit
- Extension panel for more leg room
- Comparatively easy to install
- No rethread harness
- Fuss-free harness storage compartment
- A place to store the buckle
- Budget friendly
- Two cup holders on both sides
- 10 years of lifespan
The Bad
- A bit heavy
- Too wide to fit for small cars
- The mediocre appearance
Birth - 4 Years
65-lb forward-facing maximum weight
49-inch forward-facing maximum height
Further Information
Further Information
The Good
Chicco NextFit Zip
- Weight Range: 5-40 lb. (RF) & 22-65 lb. (FF)
- Height Limit: 43 in. (RF) 49 in. (FF)
- Lifespan: 8 years
- Type: Convertible
- Stage: 1st, 2nd
- Suitable for: Birth to 7 years old
The Good
- 43-inch high rear-facing height limit
- Zip-and-wash seat pad
- Removable newborn positioner
- 8 years of lifespan
The Bad
- A bit pricey
- A bit heavy
- Too wide to fit 3 across
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 4-in-1 Car Seat – Graco 4Ever DLX
All 50 US States Car Seat Laws
FAQs on Texas Child Seat Laws
What is the age and weight for a booster seat in Texas?
According to Texas car seat laws and the rules from the Texas Department of Transportation on booster seats, children under 8 years old are required to ride in a booster seat until they reach 57 inches tall.
No weight requirement is mentioned in the laws. But kids will typically need to use a booster seat until they are 4 foot 9 inches tall and weigh anywhere between 80 and 100 pounds.
How old do you have to be to not sit in a car seat in Texas?
Texas laws require children under 8 years old and less than 57 inches tall to ride in a child safety seat.
According to Texas seat belt laws, all children under 17 years old must be secured in a safety belt or child safety seat, whether they are sitting in the front seat or back seat.
To be summarised, a child is regally approved to get out of a car seat on their 8th birthday or when they’re 4’9″ tall.
What is the law in Texas for rear facing car seats?
According to the Texas Department of Transportation about Rear-Facing Car Seats:
All infants and toddlers in Texas should ride in a rear-facing car seat until they are two years old, or until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their safety seat’s manufacturer.
Can my 9 year old ride in the front seat in Texas?
There is no law in Texas that specifies when a child can sit in the front seat.
However, the law requires that all child safety seat systems must be used according to the owner’s manual. Most vehicle manufacturers require and recommend keeping all children 12 years and younger in the back seat.
How much is a ticket for a child without car seat in Texas?
In Texas, the law requires everyone in a vehicle to buckle up or face fines and court costs of up to $200.
Children younger than 8 years must be in a child safety seat or booster seat unless they’re taller than 4 feet 9 inches. If they aren’t properly restrained, the driver faces fines of up to $250, plus court costs.
Can you use an expired car seat in Texas?
While there is no specific Texas car seat law that forbids using an expired car seat, state regulations do require you to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
While all the manufacturers will have an expiration date on the car seat or you can find it in the user manual.
Typically, car seats between 6 to 10 years. So, be aware that safety seats expire after 6-10 years from the date when they are manufactured.
Car Seat Safety Tips and Guides
- 4 Car Seat Stages – rear-facing, forward-facing, booster, and seat belt
- 5 Car Seat Types – infant, convertible, combination, booster, and all-in-one
- Car Seat Age – when to switch car seat types based on stages
- Car Seat Height and Weight Limits – the minimum and maximum requirements for stage and types
Sources
- Texas Legislature on Child Passenger Restraint System.
- Texas Department of Transportation on Child Passenger Safety.
- Texas Department of Transportation safety belts and car seats.