Nevada Car Seat Laws - Updated & Simplified
Table of Contents
Nevada Car Seat Laws
Car Seat Law in Nevada (NV Statute 484D.495 & 484B.157)
What do the child car seat laws in Nevada say?
Statute 484D.495
Nevada’s law emphasizes safety belts and titles the law – “Safety belts and shoulder harness assembly” and covers drivers, children, and other passengers.
- Any passenger over 6 years or weighing more than 60 lbs. irrespective of age and riding in the front or back seat, must fasten a safety belt.
- A person who violates these safety belt laws shall pay a fine not more than $25 or be sentenced to community service for some hours.
Statute 484B.157
This statute covers the use of a child restraint system.
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children under 6 years and weighs less than 60 lbs. must be secured in a child restraint system which:
- Meets federal safety standards,
- It is appropriate for the size and weight of the child; and
- It is correctly and securely installed in the car.
- A person who violates the child restraint system law shall be punished as follows:
- A first-time offender shall pay a fine of not less than $100 or more than $500 or be ordered to perform community service of not less than 10 hours or more than 50 hours.
- A second-time offender shall pay a fine of not less than $500 or more than $1,000 or be ordered to perform community service of not less than 50 hours or more than 100 hours.
- For a third or subsequent offense, such driver shall have their driver’s license suspended for not less than 30 days or more than 180 days.
More on The Law
The State of Nevada car seat laws defines a “child restraint system” as:
- Booster seats and belt-positioning seats
- Integrated child seats; and
- Safety belts that are explicitly designed to be adjustable to fit children.
There is an exemption, however, to this car seat laws:
- A driver or passenger who has a written medical statement from a licensed physician or an advanced practice registered nurse certifies that the bearer cannot wear a safety belt for medical or physical reasons.
Nevada Car Seat Laws Rear-facing
The Nevada car seat laws explicitly define a child restraint system which follows the types of car seats, and so you are required to obey these laws accordingly.
The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, DMV, recommends the following as best practices.
Infants and toddlers under 2 should ride in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the height and weight limit instructed by the car seat manufacturer.
This follows the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation of up to 2 years of age.
Therefore, a rear-facing-only infant seat or a rear-facing convertible must be used.
The advantage you may have for the rear-facing convertible will be that it can be converted to a forward-facing when your child is of age. Here is a guide on how to choose a convertible car seat.
Forward-facing Car Seat Laws in Nevada
The State of Nevada DMV further recommends the following age group for a forward-facing car seat.
Toddlers between 2-3 years should now use the forward-facing infant seat with harness till they outgrow the weight and height limit as instructed by the manufacturer.
A convertible forward-facing seat can accommodate up to 60 lbs.
The Nevada car seat laws mentioned an “integrated child seat” when defining the child restraint system.
An integrated car seat is a seat type that comes fixed in your vehicle right from the manufacturer.
This type of car seat is a forward-facing seat. It is NOT to be used for your baby until they reach the age, weight, and height allowed by law. This is the best time to rock your vehicle factory-equipped car seat for your toddler.
Nevada Car Seat Laws Booster Seat
Preschoolers and school-aged children between 4-7 years should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until they are large enough for seat belts to fit properly.
Only when they have outgrown the forward-facing seat with a harness can they transition to the booster seat.
However, they must always ride in the back seat.
Nevada Seat Belt Law
Even though Statute 484D.495 law says:
- Any passenger over 6 years or weighing more than 60 lbs. irrespective of age and riding in the front or back seat, must fasten a safety belt.
The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles recommends:
- School-aged children and adolescents between 8-12 years can use safety belts once they fit correctly.
Children between 6 and 8 still fall in the category of using a booster seat, which is recommended as best practice.
Children are also not to ride in the front seat if they are under 12.
So, for the optimal safety of your children, the best practices recommended are best followed.
Other Laws About Car Seat You Need to Know About in Nevada
Car Laws for Other Passengers in A Car
All other occupants of the car must make use of a seat belt.
Front Passenger Seat Law in Nevada – Can A Child Sit in The Front Seat?
By extension of Statute 484D.495 law, children over 6 years can ride in the front seat with the seat belt fastened.
Meaning it will be legal in Nevada for a child above 6 to ride in the front seat but must fasten a seat belt.
However, it is strongly discouraged.
Children under 12 (generally, under 13) should ride in the back seat.
Pay attention to this! Never install a rear-facing infant safety seat in the front passenger seat with an airbag activated. The safest spot in a car is the center rear position.
Nevada Car Seat Laws for Ubers, Taxis or Cabs
The child restraint system law does not apply to taxis in Nevada.
But as I have always recommended in my other articles, it is your duty as a parent or a caregiver to ensure you use a safety seat for your child in any car you may be in as long as your child is still of an age to use one.
It is also essential to learn how to install an infant seat in a taxi or cab or uber correctly since you don’t have to go with the base.
Because of how bulky carrying a car seat with the base can be (which is often fixed in a car while the seat itself can be detached anytime and installed in another vehicle using the seat belt), you may need to learn how to install a car seat without base.
This will be helpful if you have to take your car seat in an Uber, a taxi, or a cab or when you have to switch cars with your partner.
Can You Leave A Child in Your Car Alone in Nevada?
Nevada’s “hot car law” prohibits leaving children under 7 years unattended or unsupervised in a car if the engine is on or if there’s a significant risk to the child.
Smoking Around Children in Cars – is it illegal in Nevada?
It is not illegal to smoke tobacco products around a minor in a vehicle, but it is not recommended
It is unhealthy for children. You predispose them to health risks such as severe asthma attacks, respiratory infections, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
So as much as possible, try not to smoke around infants and minors.
Getting Help in Nevada
Here are some go-to resources when you need help in Nevada;
NHTSA car seat inspection Center – here
