Indiana Car Seat Laws - Updated & Simplified
Table of Contents
Indiana Car Seat Laws
Indiana Car Seat Law Statutes (IN Statutes 9-19 – 10–11)
IN Statutes 9-19 – 11 – Passenger Restraint Systems for Children
What do the child passenger restraint system laws in Indiana say?
- Children under 8 years must be properly fastened and restrained in the appropriate child restraint system and according to the child restraint system manufacturer’s instructions.
- A child at least 8 years but less than 16 years (8-16 years) must be properly fastened and restrained in the appropriate child restraint system or a safety belt.
IN Statutes 9-19 – 10 – Seat belt laws
- A child 8-16 years shall be secured in a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt.
- A child weighing more than 40 lbs. may be restrained in a lap safety belt if the vehicle is not equipped with the combination lap and shoulder belts or if all the lap and shoulder belts have been used to restrain other children under 16 years.
More on the Law
- Exemptions:
- A child with physical or medical conditions may not be able to use a child restraint system or safety belt. A certificate from a physician, physician’s assistant, or an advanced practice registered nurse stating reasons why it would be impractical for such a child to be restrained in a restraint system, shall be provided.
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- Violation and Penalty: A person who violates the child restraint and seat belt laws commits a Class D infraction which is subjected to a fine of $25.
Safety Laws on Rear Facing
The car seat laws in Indiana do not specify the types of car seats by age. However, it mentions using the appropriate car seat according to the car seat manufacturer’s instructions based on weight and height.
As recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and car seat manufacturers, children under 2 years of age are to ride in a rear-facing car seat installed in the back seat. The AAP further recommends that children can ride for as long as possible in the rear-facing car seat, say to an upper limit of 4 years.
You are recommended to ride your child under 2 years in a rear-facing infant car seat.
The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, under the child occupant protection awareness, recommends children aged 1-3 years ride rear-facing.
Safety Laws on Forward Facing
Indiana car seat law does not also mention a forward-facing car seat, but going by the requirement of ‘an appropriate car seat according to the car seat manufacturer instruction,’ then we have the forward-facing car seat as the next a child should ride in after the rear-facing.
Car seat manufacturers recommend that children ride forward-facing after they must have outgrown the rear-facing limits, which are weight and height.
It is recommended that the forward-facing car seat be installed in the rear seat as well.
On the other hand, you can have a car seat that can be used in rear-facing and forward-facing. That is the convertible or all-in-one car seat. The all-in-one car seat has an additional feature of converting into a booster seat. Here’s our best pick on convertibles and all-in-ones.
This guide will help you in choosing a convertible car seat.
The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, under the child occupant protection awareness, recommends children aged 4-7 years ride in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether.
Booster Seat
According to child safety seat manufacturer’s instructions, a child who has outgrown the height and weight limit of the forward-facing car seat can begin riding in a belt-positioning booster seat.
A child is to ride in such a booster seat until they reach the height and body size that can fit properly in a safety seat belt.
A belt-positioning booster seat must also be used with both the lap and shoulder belt. The lap belt must not be used alone.
The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, under the child occupant protection awareness, recommends children aged 8-12 years ride in a booster seat.
Child Seat Belt Laws
Indiana child seat belt law requires that a child between 8-and 16 years be secured in a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt.
A child may also be restrained by only a lap belt if the vehicle isn’t equipped with lap/shoulder belts or the lap/shoulder belts are being used by other children in the car.
Remember, your child should have grown big enough to fit in a seat belt before getting rid of the booster seat. Otherwise, let them still ride in a booster seat.
Other Safety Seat Laws You Need to Know About in Indiana
Other Passengers in a Car
The driver and all other occupants in a vehicle must fasten a safety belt.
On Front Seat – Can A Child Sit in The Front Seat?
Indiana child safety seat laws do not mention a seat position for installing a car seat or where a child should ride or not.
However, by best national practice and national law, a child under 13 years should ride in the back seat in a child safety seat or safety seat belt.
Notwithstanding, the safest spot to install a child safety seat is the middle back seat. A rear-facing restraint system should never be installed in the front seat with an activated airbag.
Ubers, Taxis, or Cabs
Indiana exempts taxi drivers from the child restraint laws.
Nonetheless, you are still responsible for a child’s safety as their parent. You are recommended to still use a child restraint system taking a taxi, cab, or Uber.
This resource on installing an infant seat without a base will come in handy when taking a taxi.
Leaving a Child Alone in a Vehicle in Indiana
Indiana currently has no law that prohibits leaving a child in a car. However, a very concerned parent is moving a petition (47 have signed) to make it illegal to leave a child alone in a car in Indiana.
It is unsafe to leave a child unattended in a car as they risk serious injury or death due to heat and hypothermia. It is estimated that 30-50 babies die due to this negligence due to heat.
You should therefore not leave your child alone in the car.
Smoking Around Children in a Car in Indiana – is it illegal?
Smoking around children in a car in Indiana is illegal. The law prohibits smoking in a vehicle while a child under 6 years is present. A violation of the law is a Class B infraction which is subject to a $1,000 fine. A third-time violation in the space of a year is a Class A infraction which is subject to a $10,000 fine.
Secondhand tobacco smoke is dangerous for a child’s health and causes several health problems, including severe asthma attacks, pneumonia, ear infections, respiratory infections, bronchitis, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
