Child restraints — California Permit Test

Children under 2 years old, under 40 pounds and under 3 feet 4 inches tall must be secured in a rear-facing child passenger restraint system.

A small child’s neck cannot hold their head in a crash, and facing backward is what supports it.

Children who are under 2 years old, under 40 pounds, and under 3 feet 4 inches tall:

A child in a rear-facing child passenger restraint system may not ride in the front seat of an airbag-equipped vehicle.

An airbag opens at the speed of a punch, and a rear-facing seat puts a baby’s head right there.

NOTE: A child in a rear-facing child passenger restraint system may not ride in the front seat of an airbag-equipped vehicle.

Children under 8 years old, or less than 4 feet 9 inches tall, must be secured in a child passenger restraint system in a rear seat.

An adult belt across a small child crosses their neck and stomach instead of their shoulder and hips.

Children who are under 8 years old, or who are less than 4 feet

A child under 8 years old may ride in the front seat in an approved restraint where there is no rear seat, the rear seats are side-facing or rear-facing, the restraint cannot be installed properly in the rear, all rear seats are occupied by children 7 years old or younger, or medical reasons prevent it.

Some cars have no back seat at all, and the rule has to allow for the car that exists.

In some cases, children under 8 years old may ride in the front seat of a vehicle in a federally-approved child passenger restraint system.

Children 8 years old or older, or at least 4 feet 9 inches tall, may use a properly secured safety belt that meets federal standards.

Once the belt crosses the shoulder and the hips properly, it is doing its job.

Children who are 8 years old or older, or at least 4 feet 9 inches tall: May use a properly secured safety belt that meets federal standards.

Your local law enforcement agency or fire department can check the installation of your child passenger restraint system, and you should check the fit as your child grows.

A seat fitted loosely does very little, and it is easy to get wrong the first time.

Your local law enforcement agency or fire department can check the installation of your child passenger restraint system.

Below what weight must a child ride rear-facing?

40 pounds. A small child’s neck cannot hold their head in a crash, and facing backward is what supports it. California Driver’s Handbook, p.66: “Children who are under 2 years old, under 40 pounds, and under 3 feet 4 inches tall:”