What are the Indiana Car Seat Laws?

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

Are you looking for the latest car seat laws in the state of Indiana? You have found the perfect place for them.

Look:

Checking out car seat laws is one of the least fun activities. However, these will keep your kids safe and avoid fines.

This is why I’ve decided to write this article. Since I have 3 kids and I used to be a paralegal before them, I know how to find the relevant laws, and also, I can translate lawyer jargon.

Here’s my promise to you. Below there’s no dry and boring law, only an easy-to-understand text.

Also, if you’re looking for particular questions like what’s the booster seat law? Or when can a child sit in the front? Or are taxis exempt from car seat laws? I have the answer below and for other important questions as well.

Let’s get started already!

[lwptoc]

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.

Indiana Booster Seat Laws

There’s no dedicated booster seat law in the state of Indiana. There’s only the blanket car seat law, which states that all kids under the age of 8 have to be secured with the appropriate car seat.

This means that if your child is more than 40 pounds or has outgrown their forward-facing car seat, they can use a booster seat.

Indiana Rear-facing Car Seat Laws

Since the blanket law doesn’t specify things, the appropriate car seat for babies would be a rear-facing car seat. Most experts say that kids should be rear-facing until the age of 1, and that’s the bare minimum. The recommended rear-facing age is 2 years old.

Another recommendation would be that kids keep rear-facing until they weigh more than 20 pounds. It has been proven time and time again that rear-facing is the safest way for kids to ride.

Indiana Forward-facing Car Seat Laws

The law doesn’t give specifics, so we have to go with the manufacturer’s and expert’s recommendations. So from the age of 2 all the way up to the age of 4, you can use a forward-facing car seat.

Also, according to Indiana State Police, kids should use a forward-facing car seat until they reach 40 pounds or more.

Indiana Taxi Car Seat Laws

Taxis are exempt from the car seat laws mentioned above. However, if you want to keep your child safe, make sure you bring your car seat, even for a short trip.

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

There’s no law governing when a child can sit in the front; however, experts recommend that kids should wait until they are over 13 to sit in the front.

Indiana Car Seat Laws at a Glance

Here you can find the entire law in one place:

Car Seat Law (IC 9-19-11)

Law: According to the law, all kids below the age of 8 have to be properly secured in a car seat according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

If you have a child who’s more than 40 pounds, they can use the lap/shoulder belt if it’s available.
Suppose your child between the age of 8 and 16 they have to be secured either by the seat belt or the appropriate car seat.

Location in car: There are no laws governing where a child can sit and where they can’t.

Taxi: Taxis are exempt from the car seat laws mentioned above. However, I highly recommend bringing your own car seat for short trips.

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

Fines: $25

Seat Belt Law

Law: According to the law, all occupants must wear a seat belt.
Fine: $25
RVs: The RV law is the same as the seat belt law meaning all occupants need to wear the seat belt, and for kids, the car seat rules apply.

Car seat requirements Indiana (car seat rules & guidelines Indiana)

• Rear-facing seats are required for children under 1 and less than 20 lbs.

• Children may use a forward-facing seat at 1 year old and 20 lbs.

• All children under 8 must use a child restraint system in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions

• Booster seats are encouraged for all children over 30 lbs.

• All children under 16 must be properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint system.

Indiana booster seat laws height and weight

Indiana requires booster seats for kids aged 4 to 8 years old who weigh more than 40 pounds. The upper height limit is 57 inches.

What is the law concerning leaving kids in the car in Indiana?

There are no laws banning leaving kids unattended in a vehicle. For safety, it’s good to have at least a 12-year-old next to them if you can’t take your little one with you.

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

At the moment, it’s legal to smoke in a car while there’s a child onboard. However, there’s a very harsh bill in the senate since 2019 that prohibits smoking in the car while there’s a child present, and if caught, the person could be fined up to $1,000. For repeat offenders, on the third time, the fine would be $10,000.

Car seat laws in Indiana conclusions

We have reached the end of this article. I assume you have already found what you’ve been looking for above. As you have seen, I’ve kept my promise and only used simple language that can be put into action with ease.

Just in case you have other questions or you might find something outdated, let me know, and I will fix it in a jiffy.

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!

Do you have children with you when traveling to Michigan?

It is important to know the Michigan car seat laws in order to keep your kids safe. You never know when something might happen, so it is best to be prepared.

Related state: What are the Ohio Car Seat Laws?

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the law for booster seats in Indiana?

According to Indiana’s blanket car seat law, kids under the age of 8 have to be secured in the proper car seat. So if your child is over 40 pounds, they can transition to a booster seat. The booster seat can be extended until the age of 16 if the seat belt doesn’t provide the necessary protection.

What are the height and weight requirements for a booster seat in Indiana?

In the state of Indiana, the height and weight requirements for booster seats is as follows: kids in the age range of 4 to 8 years and weighing more than 40 pounds. The upper height limit is 57 inches.

When can a child get out of a car seat in Indiana?

At 8 years old, a can get out of a car seat if the car’s seat belt offers adequate protection. If not, then the booster seat can be extended up to 16 years of age.

When can a baby be forward-facing in Indiana?

From 1-2 years, when the baby’s weight is over 20 pounds, they can use a forward-facing car seat.

When can a child be out of a booster seat Indiana?

According to Indiana booster seat laws 2023 from age 8 kids don’t need a booster seat.

There’s no exact law saying on how long should your child use a booster seat it only states that until the age of 8 the appropriate car seat is needed. The booster seat age in Indiana would be between 4-8 years old. A related question to this would be: what are the Indiana height and weight requirements for booster seats and the answer is 40 pounds or higher and 4 feet and 9 inches taller.

According to the law there are no front seat requirements in Indiana however many experts say that kids over the age of 12 should ride in the front. Also a common related question is how old to sit in front seat Indiana? Legally there’s rule only expert opinion which is 12 and older.

How should children under the age of 8 ride in a car?

According to the law they have to be in a child restraint system or child safety seat. In other states, there’s an exact guide in Indiana you need to follow the federal law concerning car seats. The main recommendation is that under the age of 2 you will need a rear facing child restraint system or child safety seat. In most cases, the infant carrier is outgrown around the age of 1 so the next upgrade should be a convertible that offers both forward and rear facing options. The car seats are versatile and can be used for many years. After this comes the forward facing child restraint system or child safety seat. These car seats are very important for child passenger safety. Here’s what you need to know that each time you upgrade your child restraint system it will offer less protection. As in the rear facing child passenger safety seat offer the most and the seat belt based child restraint system offers the least.

Seat belts or car seats are better for child passenger safety?

It depends on how big your child is. If the seat belts aren’t the right fit then you’re better of with car seats for child passenger safety.

What are the booster seat requirements in Indiana?

According to Indiana law, all children under the age of 8 must be properly secured in a car seat. If your child is over 40 pounds, they can transition to a booster seat. The booster seat can be extended until the child is 16 years old if the seat belt doesn’t provide adequate protection.

Is it worth paying for a car seat lawyer in Indianapolis?

It depends on the severity of the offense. The police may also give you a warning or refer you to a safety class. A car seat lawyer in Indianapolis can help you if you have been given a ticket for not following the Indiana car seat laws. They can also help you to find the right car seat for your child and make sure that it is installed correctly.

Are Indiana child seat laws strict?

Yes, Indiana has strict child seat laws. All children under the age of 8 must be properly secured in a car seat. If your child is over 40 pounds, they can transition to a booster seat. The booster seat can be extended until the child is 16 years old if the seat belt doesn’t provide adequate protection.

What is the booster seat age in Indiana?

Indiana law requires all children under 8 years old to be in a car seat. If your child is over 40 pounds, they can transition to a booster seat. The booster seat can be used until the child is 16 years old if the seat belt doesn’t provide adequate protection.

At what age do kids not need a car seat in Indiana?

Children over 16 years old do not need a car seat.

What age can a child sit in the front seat in Indiana?

According to Indiana law, children over the age of 12 can sit in the front seat.

What are car seat requirements in Indiana?

According to indiana child restraint laws and indiana car seat laws 2023 all kids under the age of 1 and weighing less then 20 pounds have to be in a rear facing seat. The use of a car seat is must until the age of 8 and the proper restraint between 8 and 16.

How long do kids need booster seats Indiana?

If we checked the booster seat requirements Indiana we will find that there’s no exact rule. So it would imply that kids under 8 have to use a car seat. Above the age of 8 if they can safely use the seat belt than the booster seat is not required.

Is there an Indiana car seat law changes 2023?

No there haven’t been any Indiana car seat law changes in 2023.

Last Updated on November 7, 2023 by Brian Beasley