The main question parents have concerning car seat laws in Texas is how to handle properly restraining a child that does not have a standard growth pattern.

If your child is significantly larger or smaller than his peers, it is especially important to make sure you understand TX child safety laws and any exemptions that might apply to car seat requirements.

Child Restraint Laws for Car Seats

According to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), children must be in an infant-only or rear-facing convertible seat until they reach age one and weigh at least 20 pounds.

So, if your son weighs 20 pounds at 10 months old, he must remain in the infant-only or rear-facing convertible seat until his first birthday. If your daughter is only 17 pounds at 13 months old, she should still be in either an infant only or rear-facing convertible seat.

If you are the parent of a premature infant, remember that standard car seats are only suitable for infants who weigh more than five pounds and are able to breathe properly while sitting in an upright position. If your baby weighs fewer than five pounds or has breathing difficulties, your doctor will likely recommend purchasing a special car bed instead of one of the traditional baby car seats.

Child Safety Laws for Booster Seats

In Texas, a child must meet either the height or weight requirement before they no longer need to be in a booster seat.

• Children taller than 4’9’’ do not have to ride in a child safety seat, even if they are younger than eight years old.   
• Once a child is eight years old, he does not legally have to ride in a child safety seat or booster.

Even after your child is no longer required to be in any of the various kinds of child car seats or booster seats, please keep in mind that current safety recommendations suggest keeping all children younger than 13 in the rear seat of the vehicle. This is regardless of the child's height and weight. Vehicles with front seat passenger airbags are especially dangerous for young children.

No Seat Available?

In Texas, child restraint laws only apply as long as a child is traveling in a vehicle with an open seat and seat belt available.