Wyoming Car Seat Laws - Updated & Simplified
Table of Contents
Wyoming Car Seat Laws
Wyoming Car Seat Laws (WY Statute 31-5-1301 and 31-5-1401)
What do the child safety restraint systems laws in Wyoming say?
WY Statute 31-5-1301 – Child safety restraint system
- A child under 9 years must be properly secured in a child safety restraint system in the back seat, except if the vehicle is equipped with only one row of seat or if other child passengers use all the safety belts in the back seat in the car, then can a child be secured in a safety restraint system in the front passenger seat.
- If a rear-facing car seat is to be installed in the front seat, the airbag must be deactivated.
WY Statute 31-5-1401 – Seatbelt use
- School-aged children between 9-12 years shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt.
More on the Law
- An exemption is made for a child passenger who, for physical (including weight) or medical conditions, may not be able to be secured by a restraint system and shall provide a signed statement from a licensed physician certifying that the child should not be secured in a child restraint system.
- A person who violates the Wyoming car seat laws shall be issued a citation and fined not more than $50 on the first violation. A second or subsequent violation shall attract a fine of not more than $100.
- A person who doesn’t use the child safety system according to the manufacturer’s instruction would have violated the car seat laws and shall be fined in the same way above.
- These laws apply to “privately owned, leased or rented noncommercial passenger vehicle….”
Wyoming Car Seat Laws Rear Facing
The Wyoming car seat laws do not define the different types of car seats – rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster seats.
The law puts it this way, ‘a child under 9 years must be restrained in a restraint system in the back seat.’ And mentions a rear-facing car seat can only be installed in the front seat if the airbag is deactivated.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a newborn should 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 or till the child outgrows the weight and height limits of the car seat.
Therefore, you should use a rear-facing car seat for your child under 2 years and install it in the back seat.
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.
Wyoming Car Seat Laws Forward Facing
Wyoming state car seat laws do not also mention a forward-facing car seat.
However, 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.
If you are pregnant and planning for a car seat, a convertible car seat will be recommended to save you cost in the long run, although at the expense of convenience. A convertible car seat is bulkier than an infant seat which can be carried around, unlike a convertible.
A convertible car seat can be used as rear-facing and later converted to forward-facing when a child outgrows the weight and height limits for the rear-facing. Here’s how to choose a convertible car seat.
Wyoming Booster Seat Laws
When a child outgrows the forward-facing car seat, they may now ride in a booster seat.
Although Wyoming car seat laws do mention a booster seat, the appropriate safety seat for a child after the forward-facing is a belt-positioning car seat.
A booster seat is recommended for children 8 years old or less than 57 cm (4ft 9in) in height.
A belt-positioning booster seat must be secured with a combination of the lap and shoulder belt.
Wyoming Seat Belt Laws
The State of Wyoming seat belt laws requires children under 12 years to wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt.
Even though the law says this, a child under 12 may still ride in a booster seat for best safety practice. Car seat manufacturers recommend that a child outgrows the booster seat and be big enough to fit in a seat belt before switching to the safety belt.
Other Safety Seat Laws in Wyoming
Wyoming Safety Seat Laws for Other Passengers in a Car
All other occupants of a vehicle must make use of a seat belt.
Wyoming Car Seat Laws on Front Seat – Can A Child Sit in The Front Seat?
Wyoming car seat laws technically allow a child to ride in the front seat if the vehicle lacks a back seat. However, if a rear-facing car seat is to be installed in the front seat, the airbag must be deactivated.
This also means a car seat can be installed in a single cab truck. You want to ensure your truck has the proper installation features for a car seat, including the rear and forward-facing car seats.
Wyoming Car Seat Laws for Ubers, Taxis, or Cabs
The state of Wyoming exempts taxis from the car seat laws.
These laws apply to “privately owned, leased or rented noncommercial passenger vehicle….”
Notwithstanding, you still need to consider your child’s safety and have them secured in a car seat. The driver could hit the brakes suddenly, and the passengers are pushed forwards.
Installing a car seat in a taxi should not be an arduous task as you can do that without the base, easy peasy.
Leaving a Child Alone in a Vehicle in Wyoming
Wyoming does not have a law prohibiting leaving a child alone in a car. Nevertheless, it is not safe and can endanger a child’s life, leading to death in extreme circumstances like high temperatures in the car, which can happen in minutes.
When you have to travel with your newborn, note that you are to make many stopovers to feed the child in the car seat, change diapers, or even talk a walk to a close-by restroom. You may be tempted to leave your child, don’t take the chance. Except you have another person to monitor your baby.
On the other hand, you need to dress your child according to the weather to keep the baby cool in summer and warm in winter. But never leave a child unattended in the car.
Smoking Around Children in a Car in Wyoming – is it illegal?
The State of Wyoming does not have a law prohibiting smoking around children in a car.
There are health risks associated with secondhand smoke, especially for children. It predisposes them to illnesses such as middle ear disease, respiratory infections, impaired lung function, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDs).
As a parent, you may try to avoid smoking when around your children.
Helpful Resource for Wyoming
Here are go-to resources for more help on car seat installation, car seat inspection, etc., in the State of Wyoming.
- NHTSA Car Seat Inspection Stations directory – Inspection Stations Directory
- Safe Kids Wyoming – Inspection Stations near you
- Teton County – Jackson Hole Fire/EMS Department – Car Seat Check-Ups
- Campbell County Health – Safe Kids Campbell County – Car Seat Checks
- Cheyenne Regional – Laramie County – Safe Kids Laramie County Car Seat Inspection
- Rock Springs Fire Department Child Passenger Safety Seat Program – Car seat education, checks, and installation instruction.
- Injury Prevention Resources Wyoming – Car Seat Check Events
