Unattended children and pets — California Permit Test

It is illegal to leave a child six years old or younger unattended in a vehicle, though a child may be left under the supervision of a person at least 12 years old.

A small child alone in a car can release a brake, open a door, or be forgotten.

It is illegal to leave a child who is six years old or younger unattended in a vehicle.

A child may be left in a vehicle under the supervision of a person who is at least 12 years old.

Twelve is the age the state decides somebody can be relied on to act if something goes wrong.

A child may be left under the supervision of a person who is at least 12 years old.

It is dangerous and illegal to leave children or animals in a hot vehicle, and the temperature inside a parked vehicle can rise rapidly in the sun even with a window left slightly open.

A cracked window does almost nothing, and the inside of a car reaches lethal heat in minutes.

It is dangerous and illegal to leave children or animals in a hot vehicle.

Too much exposure to heat inside a vehicle can lead to dehydration, heat stroke and death.

Children and animals cannot let themselves out, and heat does the rest.

Too much exposure to heat can lead to dehydration, heat stroke, and death.

Up to what age may a child not be left unattended in a vehicle?

Six years old. A small child alone in a car can release a brake, open a door, or be forgotten. California Driver’s Handbook, p.67: “It is illegal to leave a child who is six years old or younger unattended in a vehicle.”