From the Ozarks in the east to the Great Plains in the west, Oklahoma is a state with no shortage of places to explore. If you bring your children along on your adventures, making sure they’re in the appropriate car seats can help you keep them safe.
Car seat laws can vary significantly by state, and you shouldn’t assume that another state’s laws are the same as Oklahoma’s. Here’s a closer look at Oklahoma car seat laws and the penalties for violating them.
Overview of Oklahoma Car Seat Laws
Oklahoma’s car seat laws include different requirements based on your child’s age. Before being allowed to ride in the car and use a standard seat belt, your child must progress through these stages:
- Rear-facing car seat
- Forward-facing car seats
- Booster seat
Children are generally safer riding in the back seat of the car. However, as an Oklahoma car accident lawyer may tell you, Oklahoma does not have a law requiring children to be in the back seat.
Oklahoma Car Seat Requirements by Age and Size
Oklahoma’s car seat laws are similar to those in many other states. These are the key requirements based on age and size:
Rear-Facing Requirements
Children must be secured in rear-facing car seats from birth up to age two. However, they may remain in rear-facing seats until they exceed the manufacturer’s height and weight limits.
Forward-Facing Requirements
Kids ages two to four must be in a forward-facing car seat with a built-in harness. They can (and generally should) stay in a car seat until they exceed height and weight limits.
Booster Seat Requirements
Kids ages four to eight must be in a booster seat until they are 4’9” tall. At that point, they may ride in the car with a standard seat belt.
When Can a Child Sit in the Front Seat in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma law doesn’t set a specific age for kids to sit in the front seat. However, most safety organizations recommend that kids stay in the back seat until at least age 12.
Penalties for Violating Car Seat Laws in Oklahoma
If a police officer notices your child isn’t in the proper car seat during a traffic stop, you could be cited for violating state car seat laws. Compared to many states, Oklahoma has relatively lenient penalties for car seat violations. If your child isn’t secured properly, you may owe a fine of $50 and be ordered to pay court costs.
Exceptions or Special Cases in Oklahoma
If a child has a disability or medical condition that makes it unsafe for them to be in a particular kind of car seat, they may be exempted with a doctor’s note.
Need Legal Help With a Car Seat Violation?
If you’ve received a child restraint violation, an experienced attorney may be able to help you get the ticket dismissed. At ConsumerShield, we focus on matching consumers like you with qualified local attorneys. Fill out our contact form to get started with a free case review!
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Generally, no. If you’re cited, you may owe a fine and be ordered to install an appropriate car seat.
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No. Oklahoma statutes specify that the Department of Public Safety may not assess points against your driving record for a car seat violation.
