Texas Car Seat Laws (2022): Current Laws & Safety Resources For ...

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Texas Car Seat Laws

• By Jay Yuhanze
• October 17, 2024

Ask any parent and they’ll say their children are the most important thing in their life. Yet some parents put those precious lives at risk by improperly buckling up their children in the car (in fact, two out of three car seats are used incorrectly by Texan parents).

But we’ve got some info to ensure you’re not one of those parents! Read below to learn important car seat safety info…

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Quick Navigation Texas Car Seat LawTexas Rear-facing Car Seat LawTexas Forward-facing Car Seat LawChild Booster Seat Laws in TexasWhen Can My Child Sit in the Front Seat in Texas?Leaving Child in Car Law in TexasTaxi Car Seat Law in TexasTexas Law Car Seat - Replacement After AccidentPlaces to Get Car Seat Help in TexasGood Car Seat Videos for Texan ParentsResources for More Info on Car Seat Safety in Texas

Texas Car Seat Law

545.001 of Texas Transportation Code states that:

“A person commits an offense if the person operates a passenger vehicle, transports a child who is younger than eight years of age, unless the child is taller than four feet, nine inches, and does not keep the child secured during the operation of the vehicle in a child passenger safety seat system.”

Violating this law is punishable by $25.

Texas Rear-facing Car Seat Law

Texas Department of Public Safety (TDPS) says that you must keep using a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible or at least 1 year of age and 35 pounds.

Texas Forward-facing Car Seat Law

According to TDPS, after reaching the rear-facing seat limit, which usually happens at 2 years of age, children must travel in a forward-facing car seat. It is also required that the seat is installed on the backside of the car.

Child Booster Seat Laws in Texas

According to the Texas car seat law, children under the age of 5 AND less than 36 inches tall must continue to use the safety seats. So after your child has outgrown the forward-facing seat, you can graduate them to a booster seat. However, this is not aligned with best practices. You should keep using a booster seat until the child is within the limit and at least they are 8 years old.

When Can My Child Sit in the Front Seat in Texas?

There is no hard number in law. Texas Department of Public Safety says that children are ready for a car’s adult seat belt at the age of 12. According to AAP and other experts, this can be a good time for your child to start traveling in the front seat.

Leaving Child in Car Law in Texas

It is illegal to leave children in a car for more than 5 minutes, given they aren’t accompanied by someone who is 14 or older.

Taxi Car Seat Law in Texas

Texas law says that child restraint law doesn’t apply to “vehicles transporting for hire”.

Texas Law Car Seat - Replacement After Accident

There are no laws in Texas pertaining to car replacement in case of an accident. However, NHTSA says that you should replace the car seat if you have been in a major accident.

Places to Get Car Seat Help in Texas

Here are some resources that can help you with the car seat inspection and provide you further help.

• CPS Technician Search: Find a CPS Technician
• NHTSA car seat inspection Center
• Safe Kids Texas Stations
• Enter your Zip Code to Find a Station Near You
• Car Seat Inspection Station in Texas
• Texas Children’s Hospital Car Seat Checks
• Victoria County Public Health Department Car Seat Installation
• Safe Kids Greater Huston Car Seat Help
• Dallas Police Department Safety Seat Inspections
• Austin-Travis County Car Seat Checks
• Missouri County Car Seat Safety Check
• Flower Mound Child Safety Seat Inspections
• Dell Children’s Car Seat Safety
• City of Keller Child Safety Seats
• Tree of life Car Seat Installation
• Irving Police Child Safety Seat Instruction
• City of La Porte Child Safety Seat Inspections
• Pearland Fire Department Car Seat Inspection

Good Car Seat Videos for Texan Parents

Austin-Travis County car Safety Video

"Imagine"

Car seat Safety Tips from Safe Kids Austin

The Michele and Brooke Ice Story

Car Seat save lives

Child Passenger Safety - 5 Step Test

The Inch Test

It's time we all get it right

How to secure your car seat by Safe Kids Worldwide

Is it time to move from a booster to a seat belt? By safe Kids Worldwide

Tips on How to Install a Car Seat

Car seat check: An easy guide

Car Seat Safety

• When to Change Your Child’s Car Seat

Resources for More Info on Car Seat Safety in Texas

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Car Seat Tips for Parents
• Car Seat Safety for Kids
• Alabama Senate Bill 207
• Are You Using Your Rear-Facing-Only Car Seat Safely?
• Booster Seat Installation Checklist
• Safe Travels: Car Seat Safety for Children & Infants
• Top 5 Things to Do
• Premature Babies and Babies with Medical Conditions
• Surprising Dangers of Infant Car Seats
• Booster Seat Guide
• Ultimate car Seat guide
• American Automobile Association Car Seat Guide
• American Academy of Pediatrics Car Seat Recommendations
• NHTSA Car Seat Recommendations

Rhode Island Car Seat Laws

Car Seat Laws for Michigan: Current Laws & Safety Resources for Parents

Kentucky Car Seat Laws (2023): Current Laws & Safety Resources for Parents

Connecticut Car Seat Laws (2023): Current Laws & Safety Resources for Parents

Oregon Car Seat Laws

Car Seat Laws by State – updated for 2024

Jay Yuhanze

Jay is a kids car safety expert. He looks at more of the technical aspects of cars, physics, and crash safety reviews. Jay's focus is in first principles of car safety. View all posts

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