Wisconsin Car Seat Laws (2024) – Rear- or Forward-facing, or Booster

According to the Wisconsin car seat laws, all children under 8 years of old, less than 80 pounds in weight, or less than 4 feet 9 inches tall, should be secured in a child restraint system. The child restraint system might be a safety car seat or a booster, based on the child’s age and size.

What is the Car Seat Law in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin Legislature in section 347.48 (4) (am) on child safety restraint system reads: "No person may transport a child under the age of 8 in a motor vehicle unless the child is restrained in compliance with par. (as) in a safety restraint system that is appropriate to the child's age and size and that meets the standards established by the department under this paragraph."

Wisconsin State Regulations

Rear-Facing

Wisconsin Rear-facing Car Seat Laws

Forward-Facing

Wisconsin Forward facing Car Seat Rules

Booster

Wisconsin Booster Seat Laws

Front Seat Laws

When can child sit in front seat in Wisconsin

Car Seats List

Best car seat to meet Wisconsin laws

US Car Seat Laws

Seat Laws across the United States

WI Car Seat Laws Rear-Facing

The rules in section 347.48 (4) (as) 1. make it clear that infants who are less than 12 months old and weighing less than 20 pounds must ride in a rear-facing car seat.

The rear-facing car seat should be placed in the back passenger seat of the vehicle if it is practical.

Safest practices:

It’s better to put a child in a rear-facing car seat until at least the age of 2.
Keep children rear-facing as long as they are within the height and weight requirements for the car seat.

Wisconsin Forward Facing Car Seat Laws

According to Wisconsin law section 347.48 (4) part (as) rules 1 and 2, children who are at least one year old and 20 pounds, but under 4 years old and weighing less than 40 pounds must be in a rear- or forward-facing child seat.

The regulations also make it clear that the forward-facing car seat should be installed in the back seat of the vehicle if there are back seats.

The best practice is to keep the child in rear-facing as long as possible until they outgrow the weight or height limit as set by the car seat manufacturer.

Even the law does not mention a harness, it’s better to use a car seat with a harness for optimal protection.

What is The Law for Booster Seats in Wisconsin?

Rule 3 in section 347.48 (4) part (as) in the Wisconsin law statement requires a child to use a forward-facing car seat or booster seat if he or she is:

4 years or older but less than 8 years of age
weighing at least 40 pounds but not more than 80 pounds
57 inches or shorter

The rules are simple.

You should keep using a forward-facing car seat for as long as possible until the child reaches the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer.

After that, you can move to the next car seat stage – booster.

Seat Belt Laws for Child in Wisconsin

After the child outgrows their boosters, according to the Wisconsin laws, they should be restrained in a seat belt for safety as an adult. That generally happens when they’re age 8 to 10.

Some booster seats have a high weight or height limit to allow a child to stay until their 12 years of age.

Safest practices:

Children should ride using a lap and shoulder belt once they have outgrown their car seat or booster seat.

Penalty for Breaking Car Seat Laws in Wisconsin

Violating the laws in Wisconsin will result in a fine depending on the age of the child.

The total penalty is $175.3 if the child is under 4 years old;
If between ages 4 and 8, the total penalty is $150.10 for the first offense, $200.50 for a second offense, and $263.50 for third and subsequent offenses.

Wisconsin Car Seat Laws Apply for

The driver is responsible for child safety in motor vehicles.

Exceptions
The law shall not apply to, according to section 347.48 (4) (b) and (c):

child for a physical or medical condition or body size reason.
Motor vehicles like motor bus, school bus, taxicab, moped, motorcycle

What age can a kid sit in the front seat in Wisconsin?

There is no age mentioned in the Wisconsin law on when your child can sit in the front seat, but the rules clearly state that you can’t install a rear-facing or forward-facing car seat in the front.

The safest practice is to follow the regulations from NHTSA to ride your child in the back seat until they are 13 years of age.

Taxi Car Seat Law in Wisconsin

According to the rule in section 347.48 (4) part (c), taxis are exempt from following Wisconsin Child Restraint laws.

The parents should hold the major responsibility to ensure the child passenger’s safety in the car.

Does the taxi law apply to Uber?

That depends. If you’re a Uber driver and ride the parents with their kids, then it’s the parent’s duty to make sure the child’s safety. But if you’re going to rent a Uber car for self-driving with your child, the driver should be responsible for the child passenger’s safety in the car.