What are Connecticut Car Seat Laws?

Welcome to the Connecticut Car Seat Law Explained in Simple, Plain English!

You have found just the place to brush up on car seat laws for the state of Connecticut so you can keep your kids safe and avoid hefty fines.

Look:

I’m a mom of 3 perfect angles (while they are a sleep, mostly…), and we travel a lot, so it’s important for me to keep my kids safe. Plus, thanks to my paralegal background, I have the skill to find the laws and translate them from lawyer jargon.

This is the reason why I’ve created this article to get you up to speed with these car seat laws. I promise you that only simple to understand language is used below.

Maybe you have a specific question in mind, such as what’s the booster seat law? Or when can a child sit in the front seat? Or are taxis exempt from the car seat law? All these and more questions will be answered below.

Let’s get started already!

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By reading this article you agree that it’s for informational purposes and I can’t be held liable for the best advice ask the appropriate person.

Connecticut Booster Seat Laws

According to the booster seat law in the state of Connecticut, a child has to use a booster seat between the ages of 5 to 8 and the weight class of 40 to 60 pounds.

To upgrade to the seat belt has to be both over the age of 8 and weigh more than 60 pounds.

Connecticut Rear-facing Car Seat Laws

According to the law, all babies under the age of 2 and weighing less than 30 pounds have to ride a rear-facing car seat with a 5-point-harness. Both of these have to apply so your little one can upgrade to a forward-facing car seat.

Connecticut Forward-facing Car Seat Laws

According to the law, all kids who are 2 years older and weigh more than 30 pounds have to sit in a forward-facing car seat with a 5 point harness.

To upgrade to booster seats, they have to reach the age of 5 and the weight of 40 pounds.

Connecticut Taxi Car Seat Laws

Taxis and ride-sharing vehicles are NOT exempt from the car seat laws mentioned above. This means that you have to either bring your own car seat or arrange it ahead of time with the company.

When Can My Child Sit in the Front Seat in Connecticut?

There is no exact law that would manage when a child should sit in the front. According to the blanket law, kids above the age of 8 and weighing more than 60 pounds doesn’t need a car seat and can be secured with a seat belt.

Experts say that the minimum age for a child to sit in the front is the age of 13.

Connecticut Car Seat Laws at a Glance

Here you can find the entire law in one place:

Car Seat Law (Sec. 14-100a (d) (1))

Law: According to the law, all kids under the age of 8 have to be secured the following way:

If your child is under the age of 2 or weighs less than 30 pounds, they have to be in a rear-facing car seat with a 5-point harness.
Suppose your child is between the ages of 2 to 5 and weight is in the range of 20 to 30 pounds they can be in a rear-facing, forward-facing or booster seat with a 5-point harness depending on what’s the appropriate fit.
If your child is between the ages of 5 and 8 and their weight is in the range of 40 to 60 pounds, they can be in a rear-facing, forward-facing or booster seat with a 5-point harness depending on what’s the appropriate fit.
Rear-facing car seats are not allowed in the front.
If you’re using the booster seat, you have to use the lap-shoulder seat belt.

Location in car: Rear-facing car seats are not allowed in the front.

Taxi: Taxis and ride-sharing services are not exempt, so you need to bring your car seat or have one arranged prior to traveling.

RideSafer legal: Yes. The Ride Safer travel vest qualifies for children at least age 3 and 30 pounds.

Fines: First time it’s an infraction; $199 for second time

Seat Belt Law

Law: With the new changes, all vehicle passengers need to wear the seat belt.
Fine: $75 for passengers younger than 18; $50 for all other occupants
RVs: The RV seat belt law is different than the general one. It states that all front occupants in the 8 to 16 range wear a seat belt. And for younger kids, the car seat rules apply.

What is the law concerning Leaving kids in the Car in Connecticut?

According to the law, it’s illegal to leave a child under the age of 16 alone in a car. This will be viewed as a felony.

Is it Illegal to Smoke in a Car with a Child in Connecticut?

At the moment, it’s legal to smoke in a vehicle if a child is present. However, I strongly suggest holding off smoking because secondhand smoke is a known disease agent.

Conclusions on Connecticut Car Seat Laws

We have reached the end of this article. By now, you should’ve found the answers you’ve been looking for. I bet you have a firm grasp on what to do now.

If you happen to have questions or maybe you saw something outdated, shoot me a message, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Maybe you can help me out by sharing this post so other parents can know exactly how to keep their kids safe and avoid fines in the process. Thank You!

Are you planning to go to NYS with a child?

Make sure to familiarize yourself with the nys car seat laws before you hit the road with your kids. Fines for not complying can be hefty, so it’s best to know what the rules are before you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the car seat law in CT?

The car seat law in CT is as follows: Rear-facing for kids under the age of 2 and 30 pounds and forward-facing for kids under the age of 5 and 40 pounds. Booster seat for kids under the age of 8 and 60 pounds. 5 point harness is required for the first two stages.

When can a child face forward in a car seat in CT?

From the age of two and weighing more than 30 pounds, a child can sit in a forward-facing car seat in CT.

When can a child sit in a car without a car seat?

After reaching 8 years old and weighing more than 60 pounds, can a child ride in a car without a car seat in CT.

Does a 5-year-old need a car seat or booster?

In CT, a 5 year old needs a booster seat if they weigh more than 40 pounds.

Who’s a child passenger safety technician?

A child passenger safety technician is a person who knows connecticut car seat and motor vehicle installation. They did a specialized training and they can help you install child restraint system for optimal child seat safety this including lap and shoulder belt booster seats, rear facing car seat, convertible car seat. They also know child passenger safety laws so can help you with that as well.

How long should my child remain rear facing?

According to the Connecticut law 2 years of age. If your infant carrier is outgrown then you should opt for convertible car seat for your motor vehicle. Keep in mind that rear facing car seats are not allowed to be installed on the front seat. A forward facing child restraint system is.

Who can help me install car seats?

Typically you can get help for installing car seats from child passenger safety technician (child seat safety technician), police, fire department.

What are the booster seat requirements in CT?

The booster seat requirements in CT are as follows: a child under the age of 8 and weighing more than 60 pounds must be in a booster seat. 5 point harness is required for the first two stages.

What are the CT child seat laws?

The CT child seat laws are as follows: Rear-facing for kids under the age of 2 and 30 pounds and forward-facing for kids under the age of 5 and 40 pounds. Booster seat for kids under the age of 8 and 60 pounds. 5 point harness is required for the first two stages.

When can a child sit in the front seat ct law?

A child can sit in the front seat when they are 8 years old or older and weigh more than 60 pounds.

Last Updated on November 7, 2023 by Brian Beasley