Maryland Car Seat Laws - Updated & Simplified
Table of Contents
Maryland Car Seat Laws
The State of Maryland Car Seat Laws (MD Statutes 22-412.2 and 22.412.3)
MD Statutes 22-412.2 – Child safety seat
What do the car seat laws in Maryland say?
The updated version of the child safety seat law is to include the requirement for ‘Rear-Facing Child Safety Seats.’ If enacted, it will come into effect as a law in October 2022. – Senate Bill 176 (third reader – revised; March 22, 2022).
- Children under 8 years shall be secured in an appropriate child safety seat that meets federal standards and according to a vehicle manufacturer’s instruction unless the child measure 4 feet 9 inches in height or taller.
- A child under 16 years shall be secured in an appropriate car safety seat that meets federal standards and according to a vehicle manufacturer’s instruction or in a seat belt.
- *Updated version: Infants or toddlers under 2 years shall be secured in a rear-facing child safety seat that meets federal safety standards until the child outgrows the weight or height limit specified by the manufacturer.
- *Updated version: A person who violates this section of the law by securing an infant or toddler under 2 years in a child safety seat that is NOT rear-facing commits a misdemeanor and is subject to receive a written warning for a first-time violation and a fine of $50 for a second or subsequent violation.
MD Statutes 22-412.3 – Seat belt laws
Each occupant in a motor vehicle under 16 years shall be restrained by a seat belt or an appropriate child safety seat.
More on the Law
- Exemption on Medical grounds: A child who, for physical reasons such as child’s weight, height, physical unfitness, or other medical reasons, may be unable to use a child safety seat shall have a certified written statement from a licensed physician in the vehicle’s registered State, stating reasons why such child may not ride in a child safety seat, and that will not be a violation of the law.
- Violation and Penalty: A violation of the child safety seat law is a misdemeanor, and an offender shall receive a written warning for a first-time violation. A second and subsequent violation attracts a fine of $50. There is also a prepayment penalty of $83 for a violation. – (source: 1, 2).
Maryland Infant Car Seat Laws Rear Facing
Before October 1, 2022, Maryland car seat laws do not require that children ride rear-facing. The law only states children under 8 years to be secured in an appropriate car seat unless taller than 4 feet 9 inches.
That means presently (before October 1, 2022), your child can ride in any infant seat position (rear-facing or forward-facing) irrespective of age in Maryland.
However, according to best-recommended safety practices by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the American Academy of Pediatrics, infants and toddlers under 2 years are to ride in rear-facing car seats for as long as possible until they outgrow the weight or height limit as allowed by the car seat manufacturer.
That is why the State of Maryland is passing a bill that will conform with this recommendation and be enacted into law.
This car seat rear-facing law is already practiced in 17 other states, including California, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Maine, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington.
On the other hand, you don’t need to wait till the law is enacted to start practicing this. It is the best recommended safe practice, and as such, you should start now for your child’s safety.
Maryland State Car Seat Laws Forward-Facing
The car seat laws in Maryland do not mention the forward-facing position for car seats.
However, by the types of car seats by age, the forward-facing car seat with a harness is recommended for children 4-8 years.
Usually, a child who has outgrown the weight and height limit for the rear-facing car seat is to ride forward-facing according to the car seat manufacturer’s instruction.
A forward-facing car seat can accommodate an upper limit of 60 lbs depending on brand and model.
A convertible car seat will be a recommended car seat to buy. This type of car seat can be used in rear-facing and later converted to forward-facing. This will be a good option when considering a car seat to buy during pregnancy. This guide will help you on how to choose a convertible car seat.
Maryland Booster Seat Laws
Maryland car seat laws do not mention the booster seat.
However, a belt-positioning booster seat is to be used when a child has outgrown the weight and height limit for the forward-facing car seat.
A belt-positioning booster seat is recommended for school-age children 8-12 years.
A child is to ride in a booster seat until they reach the height and size that can fit properly in a safety seat belt.
A belt-positioning booster seat must be used with both the lap and shoulder belt. The lap belt must not be used alone.
Maryland Child Seat Belt Laws
Maryland child seat belt laws require that school-aged children and adolescents 8-16 or at least 4 feet 9 inches be secured by a safety seat.
It is important to note that the seat belt has to fit your child properly before you transition to a seat belt from a belt-positioning booster seat.
Other Safety Seat Laws in Maryland
Maryland Safety Seat Laws for Other Passengers in a Car
A safety seat belt must secure the driver and all other occupants in a vehicle.
Maryland Car Seat Laws Front Seat – Can A Child Sit in The Front Seat?
Maryland’s child car safety laws do not specify seat positions for car seat installations.
According to the Maryland Department of Health, no law prohibits children from sitting in the front seat but emphasizes that a rear-facing car seat should not be installed in the front seat with an activated airbag. It becomes a violation of the law when such a car seat is installed in the front seat position with an activated airbag.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore Police Department, suggests that in the event that a child is to be transported in the front seat, the seat should be pushed back as far as possible, and the airbag be deactivated.
On the other hand, according to many child safety agency advocates, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the American Academy of Pediatrics, children under 13 years are to ride in the rear seat and be fastened by a safety seat belt or secured in a child restraint system.
However, the safest spot to install a child safety seat is in the middle back seat, away from the side windows and airbags.
Maryland Car Seat Laws for Ubers, Taxis, or Cabs
Maryland exempts taxis from the car seat laws. However, ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are NOT exempted.
Uber and Lyft drivers in Maryland must follow Maryland child safety seat laws. Therefore, if you are boarding one, you must use a child safety seat.
Nevertheless, irrespective of the ride you may be taking, taxi or ‘ride share’ service, you are recommended to follow the Maryland child seat laws.
You may need to install your child’s car seat without the base in a taxi, Uber or Lyft. This will guide you in installing your child’s safety seat without base.
Can You Leave a Child in the Vehicle Alone in Maryland?
The State of Maryland has a law that prohibits leaving a child unattended in a car. A child under 8 years must not be left unattended in a locked or confined building, enclosure or motor vehicle without a person at least 13 years old to be with the child to protect them.
A person who violates this law is guilty of a misdemeanor and is subject to a fine of not more than $500 or a prison sentence of not more than 30 days, or both.
Therefore, ensure to not leave your child in the car unsupervised.
Smoking Around Children in Cars – is it illegal?
It is illegal to smoke around a young child in a vehicle in Marland.
Smoking around a child under 8 years is illegal and attracts a fine of $50.
Secondhand smoke is not safe for a child’s health and can expose them to health risks, including severe asthma attacks, pneumonia, ear infections, respiratory infections, bronchitis, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Helpful Resource When in Maryland
Here are some go-to resources for more help on car seat safety, installation, and inspection in Maryland:
- NHTSA Car Seat Inspection Stations directory – here.
