Child restraint law — Maine Permit Test

Under Maine law, a child who weighs less than 55 pounds must be properly secured in a child safety seat.

An adult belt on a small child rides up on the neck and belly instead of the bones.

When a child who weighs less than 55 pounds is being transported in a motor vehicle that is required by the United States Department of Transportation to be equipped with safety belts, the operator must have the child properly secured in a child safety seat.

In Maine, a child who weighs at least 55 but less than 80 pounds and is under 8 years old must be secured in a federally approved child restraint system, one that raises the child to fit the lap and shoulder belt.

Without the boost, the shoulder belt crosses the child's neck and the lap belt their stomach.

The operator shall ensure that a child who weighs at least 55 pounds but less than 80 pounds and who is less than 8 years of age is properly secured in a federally approved child restraint system.

In Maine, the operator is responsible for making sure a passenger under 18 is properly secured.

A teenager who skips the belt is hurt just as badly, and the law puts the job on the driver.

The operator shall ensure that a child who is less than 18 years of age but more than 8 years of age or who is less than 18 years of age and more than 4 feet, 9 inches in height is properly secured in a seat belt unless that child is required to be secured in a child restraint system or in a child safety seat.

In Maine, passengers 18 and older must be properly secured in a seat belt, and so must the operator.

An adult passenger with no belt can be thrown into the driver and others in a crash.

When a person 18 years of age or older is a passenger in a vehicle that is required by the United States Department of Transportation to be equipped with seat belts that passenger must be properly secured in a seat belt.

Under Maine law, a child under what weight must ride in a child safety seat?

55 pounds. An adult belt on a small child rides up on the neck and belly instead of the bones. Maine Driver’s License Manual, p.42: “When a child who weighs less than 55 pounds is being transported in a motor vehicle that is required by the United States Department of Transportation to be equipped with safety belts, the operator must have the child properly secured in a child safety seat.”