Last Updated 27th of May, 2010

Are there any exemptions to the CA child safety seat laws? California

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California Car Seat Laws

The child safety seat laws in California are specific, but they have exemptions. The DMV leaves these matters up to law enforcement to enforce.

The exemptions to California’s child safety seat laws deal mostly with front-facing baby car seats and the child restraint laws for older children.

Front-Facing Baby Car Seats

Infants must ride in rear-facing car seats until they are at least 20 pounds in weight and at least one year old.

Exceptions to Safety Laws:


Infants can only ride in a front seat in a proper child safety seat if there is no active airbag. In addition, one of the following must apply:

  • All the backseats are full of children younger than 12, or there are no backseats.
  • The backseats face backwards or sideways.
  • The infant car seat cannot be properly installed in a back seat.
  • There is a medical condition that makes it necessary for the infant to be in the front seat; this must be documented.

Child Restraint Laws for Older Kids

  • All children younger than six and weighing fewer than 60 pounds must ride in the backseat in child car seats.
  • Once children are older than one year and at least 20 pounds, they may switch to a forward-facing seat.
  • The child may switch to a booster seat once he weighs more than 40 pounds.
  • Children age six or older or over 60 pounds may switch to seatbelt only.

Exceptions to Safety Laws:


The child may ride in a car seat in the front if they are older than one year and in a forward-facing car seat if:

  • Other kids younger than 12 occupy the other backseat.
  • There are no backseats, or the rear seats are sideways or backwards facing.
  • The child car seat cannot be installed.
  • A medical condition necessitates that the child sit up front.
  • Note that it’s best if the airbag is turned off, but it’s not illegal under these circumstances for a child to ride up front in a car seat.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that all children younger than 12 ride in the back. This is a recommendation, not a CA safety law; after all, some kids are still quite short at age 12 and may be endangered in the front, while other kids are taller and heavier.

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