Car Seat Safety Program

Infants must always ride in a rear-facing car seat. It is recommended that children ride rear-facing as long as possible, as it provides superior crash protection. Since July 2019, infants and toddlers in Virginia are required to be in rear-facing car seats until age 2 or until they outgrow the rear facing limits.   Many car seats are specifically labeled to be used rear-facing only until age 2.

Choose an infant-only car seat or a rear-facing convertible seat that fits your baby by weight and height. The seat must fit in the back seat of the vehicle; it should never be placed in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger-side airbags.

Your baby has outgrown the rear-facing position when the weight limit has been met or the head is within one inch of the top of the seat.

In a rear-facing seat,  secure the harness at the slots at, or slightly BELOW the shoulders.  The harness retainer/chest clip should be secured at armpit level.

It is recommended that older infants and toddlers remain rear-facing as long as possible. Use a convertible car seat that has an expanded rear-facing limit of up to 40-50 pounds in certain models. Facing backwards provides greater protection in all types of crashes.

Children over age 2 may ride forward-facing in a convertible or forward-facing-only car seat in an upright position if they meet the minimum weight for the forward-facing position, according to the specific seat model in use.  This minimum has been raised in many models to encourage longer rear-facing.

In a forward-facing car seat, secure the harness at the slots at, or slightly ABOVE the shoulders. The harness retainer clip/chest clip should be secured at armpit level.

Children who are more than 4 years old and 40 pounds can remain in a five-point harness much longer with current available models. Use a seat with a harness as long as possible, as it provides more crash protection than a booster seat. Check your child's weight and height to make sure they are still within the limits of the car seat harness system.

For heavier or taller children who are not ready to sit safely in a booster seat, look for a car seat that is harness crash-tested to hold 65 pounds, or consult the CHKD special needs car seat program for assistance. Adaptive car seats are available for higher weights.

Booster seats provide safe transition for children who have outgrown child car seats, but are not tall enough to sit in the vehicle lap and shoulder belt alone.   Most boosters raise the child in relation to the vehicle seat belt for proper position and occupant protection.  Many booster seats will accommodate children up to 100-120lb.

A booster seat with a back provides more side impact protection, and often positions the shoulder belt better than a backless booster, especially on shorter children.

To ride without a booster seat, children should be tall enough to sit all the way back with knees bent at the edge of the seat and feet on the floor – and be able to maintain this position at all times. The belt should cross over the child’s upper thighs, shoulder, and collarbone. Never allow the child to move the shoulder belt under their arm or behind their back.

Children who are over 8 years old, weigh more than 80 pounds, and are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall should be ready for the vehicle lap and shoulder belts. Many children at age 8 are not tall enough to ride without a booster seat. Only about 50 percent of 10-year-olds have reached this height. Riding without a booster seat when a child is not tall enough for the vehicle's belt system increases their chance of severe injury or death in a crash.