Oklahoma Car Seat Laws - Updated & Simplified
Table of Contents
Oklahoma Car Seat Laws
Car Seat Laws in Oklahoma (OK Statute 47-11-1112 and 47-12-417)
OK Statute 47-11-1112 and 47-12-417
What do the child passenger restraint system laws in Oklahoma say?
OK Statute 47-11-1112 – Child passenger restraint system
- A child under 8 years or less shall be properly secured in a child passenger restraint that meets federal standards as follows:
- Infants and toddlers under 2 years of age must be properly secured in a child passenger restraint system in a rear-facing position until the child reaches 2 years or outgrows the weight or height limit as allowed by the manufacturer, whichever happens first.
- Toddlers and preschoolers 2-4 years of age must be properly secured in a child passenger restraint system in a forward-facing – source.
- Preschoolers and school-aged 4-8 years and under 4 feet 9 inches in height shall be properly secured in either a child passenger restraint system or a child booster seat.
OK Statute 47-12-417 – Use of Safety Belt
- School-aged children at least 8 years old or measuring 4 feet 9 inches or more in height shall be properly secured with a seat belt.
- A child weighing more than 40 lbs. shall ride in the back seat with a safety belt. Such a safety belt can be only the lap safety belt if the back seat is not equipped with lap and shoulder belts or when the lap and shoulder belts are being used by other children weighing more than 40 lbs.
More on the Law
The following are exempted from the law:
- A child who, for medical reasons, may not be able to be placed in a child passenger restraint system. A written statement from a physician shall be provided.
- The driver of a taxicab.
- A driver who has been rightfully issued a placard indicating disability and a valid letter of forward-facing exemption issued by the Department of Public Safety shall be permitted to transport a child under 4 years in a forward-facing child passenger restraint system. Both placard and exemption letter must be present in the vehicle to be in compliance.
- A fine of $50 applies when the Oklahoma car seat law is violated.
Oklahoma Car Seat Laws Rear-Facing
The State of Oklahoma explicitly mentions the rear-facing car seat.
By Oklahoma State car seat laws, infants and toddlers under 2 years must be secured in a rear-facing car seat until the child reaches 2 years of age or outgrows the weight or height limit determined by the car seat manufacturer; however, whichever happens first.
This is in line with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that says infants under 2 years should ride in a rear-facing car seat and for as long as possible (up to an upper limit of 4 years).
However, Oklahoma permits an exemption to the rear-facing car seat law for physically challenged children. The law requires that parents or guardians obtain a detachable placard indicating disability and a valid letter of forward-facing exemption, which the Department of Public Safety issues. These 2 documents permit that a child under 4 years with a disability can ride in a forward-facing car seat instead of a rear-facing from the very beginning.
The placard and the exemption letter must always be present in the vehicle to comply.
Oklahoma State Car Seat Laws Forward-Facing
The Oklahoma car seat laws require that toddlers and preschoolers 2-4 years of age be properly secured in a forward-facing car seat.
When a child outgrows the weight and height limit of the rear-facing car seat or reaches 2 years old, such child can be transitioned to a forward-facing car seat.
This aligns with the recommendations for the different types of car seats.
A child is to ride in the forward-facing car seat until they outgrow the weight and height limits determined by the car seat manufacturer.
On the other hand, you can buy a convertible car seat that can be used in a rear-facing position and later converted to forward-facing. This saves you pretty decent money in the longer term. Here’s how to choose a convertible car seat.
Oklahoma Booster Seat Laws
The Oklahoma car seat laws on booster seats require that children 4-8 years and under 4 feet 9 inches in height be properly secured in a belt-positioning booster seat.
Remember, before transitioning to a booster seat, a child is to have outgrown the weight and height limit of the forward-facing car seat allowed by the car seat manufacturer.
A child may continue to be secured in a booster seat until the vehicle lap and shoulder belt can fit properly on the child.
Oklahoma Seat Belt Laws
The State of Oklahoma requires that a child at least 8 years old or measuring higher than 4 feet 9 inches in height use the seat belt.
A child should be big enough for a seat belt to fit them properly before transitioning a seat belt; otherwise, they may continue to ride in a booster seat.
Other Car Seat Laws You Need to Know About in Oklahoma
Car Seat Laws for Other Passengers in a Car
All other vehicle occupants, including the driver, must use a seat belt except where exempted by the law.
Oklahoma Car Seat Laws Front Seat – Can A Child Sit in The Front Seat?
Oklahoma car seat laws do not mention the front seat position for a child restraint system but emphasize a child weighing more than 40 lbs. and being transported in the back seat while wearing a seat belt.
The law also mentions, “back seat shall include all seats located behind the front seat.”
This would mean that a child above 4 years is to ride in the back seat.
By general national best practice recommendation, a child under 13 years is not to ride in the front seat. A child under 13 years is to ride in the back seat with the seat belt fastened correctly or in a child restraint system.
Also, note that a rear-facing infant seat should NEVER be installed in the front passenger seat with an activated airbag.
The center rear is the safest place for a vehicle to install a car seat.
Oklahoma Car Seat Laws for Ubers, Taxis, or Cabs
The Oklahoma State laws exempt taxicabs from the safety belt law.
Nevertheless, your child’s safety is your responsibility as a parent or legal guardian and as such, you should ensure to follow the safe practice of securing your child with a child passenger restraint system.
You can install your infant car seat without the base when boarding a taxi or Uber. This article will help you install your infant seat without the base.
Can You Leave a Child Alone in a Vehicle in Oklahoma?
The State of Oklahoma practice a law called the “Forget-Me-Not Vehicle Safety Act.” Statute 47-11-1118
It prohibits a “person responsible for a child,” that is, a parent or legal guardian of a child, or a person who has been authorized to supervise a child to leave such child unattended in a motor vehicle.
A child under 6 years shall not be left alone unattended in a vehicle if the conditions are inconducive, such as extreme weather or inadequate ventilation, without an accompanied person of at least 12 years of age.
A person who violates this law is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined $50 on the first offense, $100- and 50-hours of community service on the second offense, and $200 on a third and subsequent violation.
Smoking Around Children in a Car in Oklahoma – is it illegal?
Oklahoma has not yet banned smoking around a minor, but 83% of citizens are in favor of banning smoking in vehicles where children 16 years or younger are present.
In a study carried out by First Grade Health Survey (1GHS), it was observed that parents in Oklahoma are becoming increasingly more aware of the potential health hazards secondhand smoke has on children.
The same group responsible for the study advises on the health impacts of secondhand some and recommends that parents do not allow anyone to smoke near their children, parents do not smoke or allow others to smoke inside the home or car with a child around and to teach children o stay away from secondhand smoke.
Secondhand smoke is associated with asthma attacks, respiratory infections, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
You should therefore ensure to keep your children away from secondhand smoke.
