INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WLFI) – As Child Passenger Safety Week gets underway, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles is reminding parents, guardians, and caregivers across the state about the regulations and resources in place to protect young passengers on the road.
Car seats and booster seats significantly cut the risk of fatal and serious crash injuries. Under Indiana law, children must ride in an age-appropriate car seat or booster seat in a vehicle’s back seat until they reach at least 8 years old.
To help families determine the right fit, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Indiana State Police recommend following these guidelines:
Birth to 1 year: Ride in a rear-facing infant seat until the child reaches the manufacturer’s height or weight limits.
Ages 1 to 3: Continue riding rear-facing as long as possible using a convertible car seat.
Ages 4 to 7: Once children exceed rear-facing limits, move them to a forward-facing car seat equipped with a harness and tether. While state law allows children who weigh at least 40 pounds to use a booster seat, state police recommend keeping them in a forward-facing harness seat until they exceed 65 pounds.
Ages 8 to 12: Children may transition out of a booster seat once a vehicle seat belt fits properly. A correct fit means the lap belt rests snugly across the upper thighs—not the stomach—and the shoulder belt crosses the chest and shoulder without resting against the neck or face. Children should remain in the back seat until at least age 13.
State officials emphasize that choosing the correct seat is only half the equation—proper installation is critical. Drivers should consult both the car seat’s instruction manual and their vehicle owner’s manual, as skipping steps or incorrectly securing equipment can lead to severe injury.
Hoosiers looking for hands-on guidance can receive free help through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute’s network of Child Safety Seat Inspection Stations. Certified child passenger safety technicians are available to inspect restraints for correct installation, verify proper fit, and check for manufacturer safety recalls. ICJI hosts an interactive map of 103 inspection stations located across the state on its website.
More details on car seat recommendations, installation tips, and inspection resources can be found by clicking here.
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