Connecticut Car Seat Laws
Connecticut (CT Statute 14-100a)
What does the child restraint law in Connecticut say?
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children under 8 years must be properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system installed in the back seat.
- An infant or toddler under 2 years of age weighing under 30 lbs. must be properly secured in a rear-facing child restraint system equipped with a 5-point harness.
- Toddlers and preschoolers between ages 2-5 years or weighing between 30-40 lbs. must ride in either a rear-facing or a forward-facing child restraint system equipped with a 5-point harness.
- Preschoolers and school-aged children between 5-and 8 years old or weighing 40-60 lbs. must ride in a rear-facing or forward-facing child restraint system equipped with a 5-point harness or a belt-positioning booster seat.
- School-aged children and adolescents between 8-16 years or weighing more than 60 lbs. must ride in the appropriate child restraint system or use a seat safety belt as the case may be.
- A child must not ride in a rear-facing car seat installed in the front passenger seat that has its airbag activated.
- A first-time violation of Connecticut’s child restraint system law is an infraction of the law.
- At a second-time violation, you shall be fined $199.
- You will be guilty of a class A misdemeanor on a third violation and subsequent ones. That’s close to the maximum of 1 year in jail as punishment.
More on The Law
A person with a physical disability or an impairment that would prevent restraint in a seat safety belt is exempted from using one.
However, a written statement from a licensed physician or a licensed registered nurse stating the reasons and the nature of the condition that would not allow such a person to use a safety belt must be made available when in a car.
Every occupant of a vehicle who is of the required age must use a safety belt, or there are fines for violations depending on the age group category.
Connecticut Car Seat Laws Rear-Facing
The car seat laws in Connecticut explicitly mention the “rear-facing child passenger restraint system equipped with a 5-point harness” as a type of restraint system that must be used in a car.
Therefore, you must ensure you use a rear-facing car seat with a 5-point harness for your baby under 2 years of age or less than 35 lbs.
This is also in line with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation of using a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible, up to 2 years of age to an upper limit of 4 years depending on the weight and height of the baby.
Forward-Facing
Connecticut car seat laws require that you use a rear-facing or forward-facing car seat for toddlers and preschoolers between 2-5 years old or weighing between 30-40 lbs.
You should also remember to follow the instructions from your car seat manufacturer on weight and height limits.
The forward-facing car seat is recommended for children who have outgrown the limit for the rear-facing car seat type, which is weight and height.
Connecticut Booster Seat Laws
Connecticut booster seat laws say;
- Preschoolers and school-aged children between 5-8 years old or weighing 40-60 lbs. must ride in a rear-facing or forward-facing child restraint system equipped with a 5-point harness or a belt-positioning booster seat.
By standards, when your growing child exceeds the weight and height limits for the forward-facing car seat, you should transition them to a belt-positioning booster seat (usually at the age of 8 years).
This article on different types of car seats and growth stages looks at every type of car seat and the age, weight, and height requirements for each growth stage.
FAQ – When can a child use a booster seat in CT?
A child can use a booster seat in Connecticut from 8-12 years, or 4 feet 9 inches in height.
Connecticut car seat laws mandate that a child using a booster seat must be restrained by a safety seat belt that includes a shoulder belt.
Seat Belt Laws Connecticut
What does the law say?
- The driver, front-seat passenger, and all other occupants of a vehicle equipped with a seat safety belt must be used while the vehicle is operated.
- An exception to this law is for passengers who are physically disabled or have an impairment that would prevent restraint by a seat belt. A written medical statement from a hospital must be present with the person while in a vehicle.
- A driver above 18 years and his passengers who violate the safety belt law shall pay a fine of $50. $75 when they are below 18 years old. Points may be assessed against such a driver’s license.
Other Laws About Car Seats You Need to Know in Connecticut
Car Laws for Other Passengers in A Car
All other occupants of the car must make use of a seat safety belt.
Front Seat Law in Connecticut – When can a child sit in the front seat in Connecticut?
The law says;
- A child must not ride in a rear-facing car seat installed in the front passenger seat that has its airbag activated.
Therefore, you must not ride with your child in a rear-facing restraint system in the front passenger seat.
When then can a child sit in the front seat?
Children under 13 years of age must ride in the back seat with a seat belt fastened properly or in the appropriate child restraint system.
The legal age when a child can sit in front is 13 years and above.
The danger of riding with a child in a rear-facing infant seat in the front is the risk of the airbag inflating during a car crash and hitting the back of the head of your baby. This can be fatal and can lead to death.
The center rear seat is the best place to always install a car seat. This is because it is farther from the side windows.
Laws for Taxis in Connecticut
Connecticut’s laws do not explicitly exempt taxis from the child restraint system laws.
However, it mentions that;
- The operator of a motor vehicle must secure or ensure that any passenger over 8 years or under 16 years is secured in a seat safety belt.
- That any person who transports a child 0-8 years must provide and ensure that the child is in a child restraint system equipped with a 5-point harness.
That means a taxi is to follow the law.
As a parent, you should also make it a responsibility to follow the car seat law when in a taxi.
Make sure you have the correct type of car seat for your child according to their age or weight.
Also, I recommend you learn how to install a car seat without the base. Such knowledge is necessary when you need to board a taxi, Uber, or cab. You will find that here.
Can You Leave A Child in Your Car Alone in Connecticut?
Connecticut’s “hot car law” prohibits you from leaving your child unattended or unsupervised in a car.
By the law, children between 0-11 years of age must not be left in a car alone.
It is estimated that every year, between 30 and 50 babies die due to hypothermia and heat illness in the U.S. after being left in a car.
You don’t want such.
Smoking Around Children in Cars – is it illegal?
Connecticut is looking to pass a bill that will make smoking in a car with minors unlawful.
The Connecticut State Department of Health highly discourages smoking tobacco in cars with children.
Do not smoke or allow your children to ride in a vehicle that permits smoking.
Car Seat Replacement After Accident
Connecticut’s law doesn’t have a law about car seat replacement when involved in an accident.
Car seats involved in a car crash shouldn’t be used again and should not be handed down even if it is a light crash.
Getting Help in Connecticut
These are reliable go-to resources for help in and around Connecticut when it has to do with car seat – inspection, fitting stations, check-ups, and more;
NHTSA car seat inspection Center – here
United way 2.1.1 Connecticut Safety Seat Inspection Across Connecticut – here
Guildford Police Department Child Seat Safety – here
Windsor Police Department Child Car Seat Check-up – here
Plainville Police Department Child Safety Seat Checks – here
Simsbury Police Department Child Seat Safety – here
Newtown Child Safety Seat Inspections – here
Milford Child Car Safety Seat Program – here
Windsor Police Department provides Child Safety Seat Installation – here
Brookfield Car Seat Program – here
Bristol Police Department Child Seat Inspection – here
Final Wrap Up
While it is essential to know the car seat laws in Connecticut, it is also necessary to learn other guides about your infant car seat.
If you are a pregnant mom and asking when you can buy a car seat or how to choose a car seat, this guide on when to buy a car seat during pregnancy and how to choose one will be very helpful.
If you are looking to buy a convertible car seat, here’s your go-to guide.
It is also essential to learn about car seat expiration. Car seats expire if you don’t know.
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