Missouri Car Seat Laws - Updated & Simplified

Missouri Car Seat Laws

Car Seat Laws in Missouri (MO Statutes 307.178 and 307.179.1)

What do the child restraint laws in Missouri say?

An adolescent under 16 years shall be properly secured in a child passenger restraint system that meets federal motor vehicle standards.
Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers under 4 years, irrespective of weight, shall be secured in a child passenger restraint system that is appropriate for their age.
Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers weighing under 40 lbs., irrespective of age, shall be secured in a child passenger restraint system that is appropriate for their age.
Preschoolers and school-aged children between 4-8 years and weigh 40-80 lbs. and less than 4 ft. 9 in. in height shall be secured in a child passenger restraint system or booster seat appropriate for their age.
Children weighing at least 80 lbs. or are more than 4 ft. 9 in height shall be secured in by a vehicle safety belt or booster seat appropriate for their age.
A child to be restrained in a booster seat is required to ride in the vehicle’s back seat using the lap and shoulder belt.
When a child is to be restrained by a booster seat in the back seat and the back seat is not equipped with a lap and shoulder belt, the child may use only a lap belt in the back seat.
When more children than there are seating positions are to ride in a vehicle, the children who cannot be secured in a child safety restraint device shall sit in the vehicle seat behind the front seat.

Missouri Car Seat Laws Rear Facing

Missouri car seat laws define car seat stages as the type to be appropriate for a child’s age.

‘Infants, toddlers and preschoolers under 4 years, irrespective of weight shall be secured in a child passenger restraint system that is appropriate for their age.’
‘Infants, toddlers and preschoolers weighing under 40 lbs., irrespective of age shall be secured in a child passenger restraint system that is appropriate for their age.’

Therefore, for infants and toddlers under 2 years, a rear-facing car seat will be the appropriate child restraint system to use, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Such rear-facing infant seat should be used for as long as possible, to an upper limit of 4 years. However, you should consult with your car seat manual for the recommended limit by the manufacturer.

You should note that a rear-facing car seat should never be installed in the front seat with an activated airbag.

A car seat should be installed in the rear seat and possibly the center, which is the safest place.

Missouri Car Seat Laws Forward Facing

Following the same guideline by the law, the appropriate child restraint system for toddlers and preschoolers aged 4-8 years will be a forward-facing car seat.

The forward-facing car seat is recommended for children who have outgrown the height and weight limits for the rear-facing car seat.

A convertible car seat will be a good option when deciding on a car seat to buy.

A convertible car seat can be used as rear-facing and be converted to a forward-facing when the child is due by age. This guide on choosing a convertible car seat will help you make the best choice.

Missouri Booster Seat Laws

The booster seat law says;

‘Children weighing at least 80 lbs., or are more than 4 ft. 9 in. in height shall be secured in by a vehicle safety belt or booster seat that is appropriate for their age.’

The law further says;

‘A child to be restrained in a booster seat is required to ride in the back seat of the vehicle using the lap and shoulder belt.’

The appropriate child restraint system for children between 8 and 12 years will be the belt-positioning booster seat which should be used with a lap and shoulder belt.

A booster seat should be used when a child outgrows the limits for a forward-facing car seat.

You should follow the car seat manufacturer’s instruction manual according to your car seat model.

Missouri Child Seat Belt Laws

By Missouri car seat laws,

‘Children weighing at least 80 lbs., or are more than 4 ft. 9 in. in height shall be secured in by a vehicle safety belt or booster seat that is appropriate for their age.’

This implies a child weighing at least 80 lbs. or at least 4 ft. 9 in. can be restrained in a safety seat belt in Missouri. However, this may not be the safest practice.

By car seat manufacturers’ recommendation, a booster seat should be used for children up to 12 years old. A child can then ride fully with a seat belt when they are big enough for the seat belt to fit properly.

Other Car Seat Laws You Need to Know About in Missouri

Car Laws for Other Passengers in a Car

All other occupants of the car must make use of a seat belt.

Missouri Car Seat Laws Front Seat – Can A Child Sit in The Front Seat?

Missouri car seat laws require that a child restraint system be installed in the back seat.

The only exemption to not ride in the back seat is when there are more children than available seating position with a restraint device, and the vehicle is designed only with the front seat. Such type of vehicle designed with only the front seat is the single cab truck.

By this, a child should ride in the back seat in Missouri.

On the other hand, children less than 13 years old must always ride in the back seat with the appropriate restraint system.

Only from above 13 years can a child legally ride in the front seat and must be restrained by a seat belt.

Missouri Car Seat Laws for Ubers, Taxis, or Cabs

The state of Missouri does not mention taxis in her car seat laws.

However, for your child’s safety, irrespective of the vehicle you are transporting your child in, you are encouraged to still use the appropriate child restraint system required by law.

You may need to install your infant seat in a taxicab, and you can do that without the base. As a guide, this resource will be helpful; how to install a car seat without base.

Can You Leave A Child in Your Car Alone in Missouri?

Missouri practices the “hot car” law but permits that a child can be left in a car. However, you are liable to have committed a crime if the child causes the car to damage any property or injure anyone; that is a Class A misdemeanor. It becomes a C felony if the injury caused is fatal. – source.

It’s as good as saying you should not leave your child unattended in a car.

On the other hand, when there’s heat, your child is exposed to the dangers, which can lead to death. We all love our children and will not want to lose our bundle of joy.

Smoking Around Children in Cars – is it illegal?

Smoking in a car when a minor is around isn’t illegal in Missouri.

You should remember that secondhand smoke is unhealthy for children. As a parent, your child’s health is a major priority, and you should ensure you protect them as much as possible.

According to the National Institute for Health, more than 150,000 children in the United States under 18 develop lung-related health issues, including bronchitis and pneumonia. Younger children are also predisposed to other health risks such as severe asthma attacks, respiratory infections, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Getting Help in Missouri

Here are go-to resources if you need more help on any aspect (car seat installation, car seat inspection, etc.)

Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services; Car seat checks – Safe Kids Worldwide

NHTSA Car Seat Inspection Stations directory – here

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Legal to Have A Toddler in The Front Seat?

Missouri car seat laws require that a child restraint system be installed in the back seat. A rear-facing car should never be installed in the front seat. As such, a toddler should not ride in the front seat. It’ll be illegal for a toddler to ride in the front seat by Missouri laws.

Missouri Car Seat Laws - Updated & Simplified

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