§PlainStatute

Tools · Car Seat

Car Seat & Booster Law Checker by State

Enter your child's age, height, and weight to see the minimum seat stage your state's 2026 law requires — car seat, booster, or seat belt — plus the first-offense fine. This is the legal minimum, not best safety practice.

15 states. Each uses that state's exact booster-exit rule, cited to statute.

Pick your state

Each checker applies that state's own age/height/weight exit rule.

Arizona
Booster exitAges 5–7 and ≤4′9″
First-offense fine$50
California
Booster exitUntil age 8 or 4′9″
First-offense fine$100
Florida
Booster exitAges 4–5 (belt OK at 6)
First-offense fineNo set statutory amount
Georgia
Booster exitUnder 8 and ≤4′9″
First-offense fineUp to $50
Illinois
Booster exitUnder 8 (age only)
First-offense fine$75
Massachusetts
Booster exitUnder 8 unless taller than 57 in
First-offense fineUp to $25
Michigan
Booster exitUntil 4′9″ or age 8
First-offense fine$10
New Jersey
Booster exitUnder 8 and under 57 in
First-offense fine$50–$75
New York
Booster exitAges 4–7 (lap + shoulder belt)
First-offense fine$25–$100
North Carolina
Booster exitUnder 8 and under 80 lb
First-offense fineUp to $25
Ohio
Booster exitUnder 8 and under 4′9″
First-offense fineUp to $75
Pennsylvania
Booster exitAges 4–7
First-offense fine$75
Texas
Booster exitUnder 8 unless taller than 4′9″
First-offense fine$25–$250
Virginia
Booster exitThrough age 7 (age only)
First-offense fine$50
Washington
Booster exitUntil 4′9″ (usually ages 8–12)
First-offense fineNo set statutory amount

How the car seat checker works

Each state checker runs your child's age, height, and weight through that state's exact booster→belt exit rule — some use age or height, some weight, some age alone — and shows the minimum stage the law requires, plus the fine for a first offense. It shows the legal minimum, which is often more lenient than what safety groups recommend.

This tool is informational only — not legal or safety advice. Best practice (rear-facing to age 2+, harness, then booster) is frequently stricter than the law. Always follow your car seat's manufacturer instructions and confirm the current rule on each state page.