Montana Car Seat Laws - Updated & Simplified
Table of Contents
Montana Car Seat Laws
Montana Car Seat Laws (MT Statutes 61-13-103 and 61-9-420)
What do the child safety restraint systems laws in Montana say?
MT Statute 61-9-420– Child safety restraint system
- Children under 6 years and weighing less than 60 lbs. must be restrained in a child restraint system that is appropriate for their height and weight according to the car seat manufacturer standards.
MT Statute 61-13-103 – Seatbelt Use
- Each occupant of a motor vehicle must be properly fastened by a seatbelt, or if it’s a child under 6 years, be secured in a child restraint system.
More on the Law
- An exemption is made for an occupant who for medical reasons may not be able to be secured by a seatbelt and shall provide a written statement from a licensed physician, licensed physician assistant, or an advanced practice registered nurse.
- A violation of the Montana car seat laws shall attract a fine of $100.
Montana Car Seat Laws Rear Facing
Montana car seat laws do not explicitly define the different types of car seats – rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster seats.
However, the law puts it this way, ‘children under 6 years and 60kg must be restrained in the appropriate car seat for their height and weight.’
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, parents are recommended to let newborns ride in a rear-facing car seat for up to 2 years.
Car seat manufacturers also follow this guideline and recommend infants ride rear-facing for up to 2 years.
Therefore, you should use a rear-facing car seat for your child under 2 years and less than 20 lbs.
On the other hand, car seat models come in varying height and weight limits to accommodate a baby in rear-facing for longer and with higher weight.
A convertible car seat gives you the edge of using a car seat in rear-facing and then forward-facing when they outgrow the weight and height limit for the rear-facing. This saves you more money in the long term, but you may have to sacrifice convenience as it is heavier and bulkier than an infant seat.
You can learn how to choose a convertible car seat. And if you are planning to buy a car seat while pregnant, you have ample time to decide on one.
Safe to say, the center back seat is the safest location to install a car seat. As such, you should consider installing your infant seat in this location.
Montana Car Seat Laws Forward Facing
Montana state car seat laws do not also mention a forward-facing car seat.
According to car seat manufacturers, a child who has outgrown the weight and height limit for a rear-facing car seat should transition to a forward-facing car seat.
A forward-facing car seat is suitable for toddlers from 2-4 years and can accommodate up to 60 lbs.
When a child outgrows a forward-facing car seat, they shall now ride in a belt-positioning booster seat.
Montana Booster Seat Laws
Preschoolers and school-aged children who have outgrown the limits for forward-facing safety seats may now ride in a booster seat.
Even though the car seat laws do not mention a booster seat, this is the next car seat appropriate for a child from 8 years old or less than 57 cm (4ft 9in) in heigh – a belt-positioning booster seat.
A belt-positioning booster seat must be secured with the lap and shoulder belt.
Montana Child Seat Belt Laws
The State of Montana requires occupants other than children under 6 years to be restrained by a seatbelt.
That means Montana permits school-aged children from 6 years to use a seatbelt.
However, this will not be recommended. Since the law encourages you to follow the car seat manufacturer’s recommendation, you may still use your belt-positioning booster seat for your child until they are 12 years old, when they must have been big enough for the seat belt to fit them properly.
Most car seat manufacturers will recommend that a child outgrows the weight and height of a booster seat before transitioning to using the seat belt.
Other Safety Seat Laws You Need to Know About in Montana
Montana Safety Laws for Other Passengers in a Car
All other occupants of a vehicle must make use of a seat belt.
Montana Car Seat Laws on Front Seat – Can A Child Sit in The Front Seat?
Montana car seat laws do not mention the location of a car seat or where a child may be restrained in a car.
However, according to national best practice and the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), children under 13 years are not to ride in the front seat.
The only exemption that may be permitted is the vehicle does not have a rear seat like the single-cab truck. And since Montana car seat laws do not specify seat position, installing a car seat in a single Cab Truck may not be an offense. But the back of a pickup truck must not be used to transport a child.
Nevertheless, a rear-facing infant car seat should never be installed in the front passenger seat with an activated airbag.
Montana Car Seat Laws for Ubers, Taxis, or Cabs
The state of Montana does not mention taxis in the car seat laws.
Regardless, remember your child’s safety is your responsibility as the parent; therefore, it is best to follow recommended safety practice of securing your child while in a taxi.
You can install your infant seat without the base when in a taxi which makes it convenient all the same.
Can You Leave a Child in Your Car Alone in Montana?
The Administrative Rules of Montana: 37.95.132, states that “children shall never be left unattended in a vehicle.”
Therefore, you cannot leave a child alone in the car in Montana.
This is really important because of the danger associated with heat that can build up in a car, depending on the season. A vehicle can get very hot in a matter of minutes, raising a child’s temperature to the level that can lead to death. On the other hand, you can learn how to keep a baby cool in summer and warm in winter. But never leave a child alone in the car.
And if you have to travel with your newborn, you have to make multiple stops on the way to feed your baby in the car seat, change diapers, or for you to use the restroom, but don’t leave them behind alone. If you must leave the scene of the car, make sure there is someone above 12 years to watch over them.
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) also emphasizes not leaving a child alone in a car.
Smoking Around Children in a Car in Montana – is it illegal?
The State of Montana does not have a law prohibiting smoking around children or in a private car.
This does not rule out the fact that secondhand smoke is harmful, especially to children, and poses a severe health risk to them, such as middle ear disease, respiratory infections, impaired lung function, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDs).
The Montana DPHHS strongly encourages clean air and advocates to protect people from secondhand exposure by eliminating smoking in homes and public places.
Helpful Resource for Montanans
Here are some go-to resources for more help on car seat installation, car seat inspection, etc., in the State of Montana.
- NHTSA Car Seat Inspection Stations directory – Inspection station locator
- Missoula Rural Fire District – Free Car Seat Checks on a Monthly Basis
- AAA (American Automobile Association) Montana offers Free Online Car Seat Inspection – no membership required
