Pennsylvania has something for everyone — and there’s plenty for kids to discover. Hersheypark and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh are perfect for high-energy fun. And when your family needs a moment to decompress, a quiet hike in the Poconos or a visit to Longwood Gardens can be perfectly rejuvenating.
Traveling around the Keystone State can be exciting, but there’s always a risk of car accidents. The right car seat can help protect your kids from serious injury, so it’s worth taking a moment to double-check that you’re in compliance with Pennsylvania car seat laws.
Overview of Pennsylvania Car Seat Laws
Like many other states, Pennsylvania requires children to ride in car seats (and later in booster seats) until they are big enough to safely wear a seat belt. While the law establishes when a child may graduate to the next type of car seat, your child may stay in their current car seat until they exceed the manufacturer’s height and/or weight limits.
Pennsylvania Car Seat Requirements by Age and Size
Pennsylvania car seat laws require that children progress through three types of car seats:
Rear-Facing Requirements
From birth to age two, children must be secured in rear-facing car seats until they exceed the manufacturer’s height or weight limits.
Forward-Facing Requirements
A child may graduate to a forward-facing car seat once they have outgrown the rear-facing seat. The law requires children to remain in forward-facing car seats until age four.
Booster Seat Requirements
Once a child turns four, they must use a booster seat. They must use the booster seat until age eight.
When Can a Child Sit in the Front Seat in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania law doesn’t establish a certain age at which kids may ride in the front seat.
Penalties for Violating Car Seat Laws in Pennsylvania
Like many other states, Pennsylvania has more lenient penalties for car seat violations than you might expect. If your child isn’t properly secured in the right car seat, you might owe a fine of $75 plus court costs.
However, Pennsylvania gives you a chance to avoid those charges. You just need to install a proper car seat and provide proof that you’ve done so.
Need Legal Help With a Car Seat Violation?
If you need help dealing with a car seat ticket, are looking for the best car accident lawyer Philadelphia has to offer, or need any other kind of legal help, ConsumerShield makes it easy to find the right professional. Fill out our free contact form and start getting matched with attorneys today!
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Generally, no. A car seat violation alone will usually just lead to a fine. However, if there are serious aggravating circumstances (like if you were arrested for DUI and your child was in an improper car seat), you could face jail time.
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Many experts suggest that kids stay in the back seat (if possible) until the age of 13.
