New York State Car Seat Laws (2025)
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Reviewed By Adam Ramirez, J.D.
Editor
New York’s traffic safety laws must protect motorists, pedestrians and cyclists in all driving conditions, from mountain roads upstate to crowded city streets in NYC. Child car seat laws in the state tell parents how they must protect their child passengers through their eighth birthday.
Overview of New York State Car Seat Laws
Every state has car seat laws. However, these laws vary widely in their application and specificity. Some states leave the specifics to the parent. Other states, like New York, give parents precise guidance about the type of child restraint to use at each stage of the child’s development.
New York State Car Seat Requirements by Age and Size
Under New York’s car seat law, all adult drivers must transport children using the following safety restraint systems:
Rear-Facing Requirements
Rear-facing child seats are used to carry infants and toddlers. The seat positions the child on their back facing upward. Their head points forward while their feet point backward. This position reduces the risk of neck pain after car accident involving the child.
New York requires children to ride in rear-facing car seats until they reach two years or the seat’s size limit, whichever occurs first.
Forward Facing Requirements
Forward-facing car seats position the child upright. However, they provide greater support and protection than the vehicle’s seat belts. The child is held by a five-point harness that reduces the risk of ejection in a head on car collision or other frontal impact.
New York state car seat laws require children to use forward-facing car seats until four years or 40 pounds, whichever occurs first.
Booster Seat Requirements
Booster seats lift children high enough to use the car’s seat belts safely. New York law requires children to use boosters after graduating from car seats until they are eight years old.
When Can a Child Sit in the Front Seat in New York State?
New York’s laws do not specify how old a child must be to ride in the front seat. However, the state recommends against allowing a child to ride in the front seat of a vehicle with a frontal airbag.
Penalties for Violating Car Seat Laws in New York State
The police can issue a citation for car seat violations. The court can impose a fine of up to $100. Moreover, the New York DMV must add three points to the driver’s record.
Exceptions or Special Cases in New York State
Transit buses, school buses, taxis and vehicles with liveries are not required to comply with the state’s child seat law.
Need Legal Help With a Car Seat Violation?
ConsumerShield helps New York residents facing car seat violations defend themselves. Contact us for a free case review and legal referral.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Unlike many other states, New York State car seat laws do not protect parents from a comparative negligence defense. Thus, a car accident lawyer New York City must be prepared to fight allegations that you failed to use a child car seat to obtain full compensation for your child’s injuries.
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At the age of eight, they are covered by the state’s seat belt law.
