Wisconsin Car Seat Laws - Updated & Simplified
Table of Contents
Wisconsin Car Seat Laws
Car Seat Laws In Wisconsin (WI Statute 347.48)
What do the child restraint laws in Wisconsin say?
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children under 8 years must be restrained with the appropriate safety restraint system according to the child’s age and size, and that meets federal safety standards.
- Infants under 1 year or weighing less than 20 lbs. shall be properly restrained in a rear-facing safety restraint system installed in the back passenger seat.
- Toddlers and preschoolers between 1-and 4 years old or weighing less than 40 lbs. shall be properly restrained in a forward-facing safety restraint system installed in the back passenger seat.
- Preschoolers and school-aged children between 4-8 years, weighing 40-80 lbs. and under 57 inches (4 feet 9 inches) in height shall be properly restrained in a forward-facing safety restraint system, a child booster seat, or by a safety seat belt.
- Seat Belt Law: Each person at least 8 years old sitting in the front seat or other seating position shall be properly restrained by a safety seat belt.
More on the Law
- These laws are exempted for children who may have a physical or medical condition or a body size that may not allow the child to be placed in a restraint system.
- Taxis and cabs are also exempted from the car seat laws.
- A violation of the Wisconsin state car seat laws shall attract a fine of $10 – $75. (Fine of not less than $30 or more than $75 for a violation that involves a child of less than 4 years and a fine not less than $10 or more than $25 for a child 4-8 years.
Wisconsin Car Seat Laws Rear Facing
The Wisconsin car seat law defines the child safety restraint system according to the respective car seat types and requires that a rear-facing safety restraint system be installed in the rear seat.
The center rear is the safest spot in a vehicle to install a car seat.
By this law, infants less than 1 year or weighing under 20 lbs. be installed in a rear-facing car seat installed in the back seat.
This rear-facing car seat law in Wisconsin follows the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendation that a rear-facing car seat be used for infants and toddlers under 2 years of age.
Wisconsin Car Seat Laws Forward Facing
The State of Wisconsin car seat laws requires that toddlers and preschoolers 1-4 years ride in a forward-facing car seat with a harness installed in the back seat.
Forward-facing car seats are recommended for children who have outgrown the weight and height limits set by the car seat manufacturer.
You must follow the car seat manufacturer’s instructions on the weight and height requirements and limits before using a car seat or proceeding to the next car seat stage.
Wisconsin Booster Seat Laws
- Preschoolers and school-aged children between 4-8 years, weighing 40-80 lbs. and under 57 inches (4 feet 9 inches) in height shall be properly restrained in a forward-facing safety restraint system, a child booster seat, or by a safety seat belt.
By this law, a child between 4-8 years and less than 57 inches in height and weighs less than 80 lbs. should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat or other restraint systems.
Wisconsin Child Seat Belt Laws
The Wisconsin State legislature states
- A safety seat belt shall properly restrain each person at least 8 years old sitting in the front seat or other seating position.
The law exempts persons who may have a physical or medical condition that may not allow the proper use of a seat belt.
Taxis and cabs are also exempted from the seat belt law. However, it is still recommended that your school-aged child use a safety belt when in a taxi.
This Wisconsin seat belt law shows that school-aged children of at least 8 years and above can ride with a safety belt properly installed. The law further states that a seat belt should restrain children who have outgrown the booster seat requirements.
Do remember that, by car seat manufacturers’ recommendation, school-age children are to ride in a belt-positioning booster seat from the age of 8.
Even though Wisconsin’s car seat law mentions sitting in the front seat
“at least 8 years old sitting in the front seat or other seating position…”
It is not recommended that you let your child ride in the front seat till they are at least 13 years.
“at least 8 years old sitting in the front seat or other seating position…”
It is not recommended that you let your child ride in the front seat till they are at least 13 years.
Wisconsin Car Seat Laws Chart
Here’s the Wisconsin car seat laws chart and the recommended safest practices to adopt.
This chart is a credit of the Wisconsin State Legislature, and the full document file carrying more safety tips can be downloaded from the website here.
Other Car Seat Laws You Need to Know About in Wisconsin
Car Laws for Other Passengers in a Car
All other occupants of the car must make use of a seat belt.
Wisconsin Car Seat Laws Front Seat – Can A Child Sit in The Front Seat?
Wisconsin car seat laws on rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster seats explicitly mention riding in the back seat.
However, for the seat belt laws, it mentions “at least 8 years old sitting in the front seat or other seating position…”
By this, a child of at least 8 years old may ride in the front seat in Wisconsin.
However, this is not recommended. By general law, children under 13 should ride in the back seat with a seat belt fastened correctly.
Also, note that you should never install a rear-facing infant car seat in the front passenger seat with an airbag activated. The back seat should be used, while the safest spot is the center rear.
Wisconsin Car Seat Laws for Ubers, Taxis, or Cabs
The state of Wisconsin exempts taxis from the car seat laws.
“this subsection does not apply if the motor vehicle is a motor bus, school bus, taxicab, * * *.”
However, it is recommended that you observe these laws when you board a taxi for your child’s safety.
It may be necessary you install your infant seat in a taxi or cab. You may do that without the base. As a guide, this resource will help you on how to install a car seat without base.
Can You Leave A Child in Your Car Alone in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin “hot car” laws prohibit leaving your child unattended in a car. Nevertheless, it is not recommended. However, this applies to only child care providers.
Smoking Around Children in Cars – is it illegal?
Smoking in a car with a minor around isn’t illegal in Wisconsin.
However, as we know, secondhand smoke is unhealthy for children and as a parent, giving your child all-round safety includes safeguarding their health.
According to the National Institute for Health, more than 150,000 children in the United States under 18 develop 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).
As much as possible, as a parent, please take it as a responsibility to not smoke around infants and minors.
Getting Help in Wisconsin
Here are some go-to resources if you need more help on any aspect (car seat installation, car seat inspection, etc.)
- Wisconsin Department of Transportation – here
- Child Car Seat Inspection – https://safekidswi.org/events
- NHTSA Car Seat Inspection Stations directory – here
Frequently Asked Questions
When can toddlers use a booster seat?
By definition, a toddler is a child between 1-and 3 years. Wisconsin requires that preschoolers between the age of 4-and 8years be restrained in a booster seat. Therefore, a toddler cannot ride in a booster seat until they are 4-8 years old.
When can a child sit in the front seat in Wisconsin?
According to Wisconsin’s seat belt law, a child that is at least 8 years old sitting in the front seat or other seating position should be restrained by a seat safety belt. That means a child of at least 8 years old can sit in the front seat in Wisconsin.
