Most people who aren’t from Wisconsin immediately associate it with cheese, but there’s so much more than that. If you’re taking your kids to one of Wisconsin’s many waterfalls, catching a game at Lambeau Field or even visiting the Circus World Museum, you should ensure their car seats satisfy Wisconsin’s car seat laws.
Overview of Wisconsin Car Seat Laws
Car seat laws vary from state to state. While Wisconsin’s car seat laws aren’t the absolute strictest in the country, they are in line with those of most other states.
In Wisconsin, kids must progress from a rear-facing car seat to a front-facing car seat to a booster seat before they may ride in a standard vehicle seat.
Wisconsin Car Seat Requirements by Age and Size
Wisconsin car seat laws set clear requirements for when kids must ride in each type of car seat:
Rear-Facing Requirements
Children must be secured in rear-facing car seats from birth until age one. They may only progress to a forward-facing seat when they have reached both of these milestones:
- The age of one year
- A weight of 20 pounds
Notably, many states require kids to stay in rear-facing seats until age two — and this is generally considered to be safest.
Forward-Facing Requirements
Wisconsin requires children to remain in a forward-facing car seat until they reach the age of four and weigh at least 40 pounds. Once they’ve reached both milestones, they may move to a booster seat.
Booster Seat Requirements
Wisconsin requires kids to stay in booster seats until they have met at least one of the following criteria:
- The age of eight
- Weight of at least 80 pounds
- Height of at least 4’9”
Once they have outgrown their booster seat, a child may ride in the car with a standard seat belt.
When Can a Child Sit in the Front Seat in Wisconsin?
In motor vehicle accidents, it’s statistically safer to be in the back seat of a car. Wisconsin law requires that kids in car seats must be in the back seat, but there is no law stating when a child may legally sit in the front.
Penalties for Violating Car Seat Laws in Wisconsin
If you get into an accident and your child isn’t in an appropriate car seat, they could suffer serious injuries. Wisconsin has a complex penalty structure for car seat violations.
If your child is between the ages of four and eight, the penalties are as follows:
- First Offense: $150.10
- Second Offense: $200.50
- Third (or Subsequent) Offense: $263.50
If your child is under four years old, you may be fined $175.30.
Need Legal Help With a Car Seat Violation?
If you’ve been charged with violating Wisconsin car seat laws or if you’re in search of the best personal injury lawyer Milwaukee has to offer, we can help. ConsumerShield will match you with qualified nearby attorneys. Fill out our form for a free case review!
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Frequently Asked Questions
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No, Wisconsin won’t add points to your license for car seat violations.
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Once they reach 80 pounds, the age of eight or a height of 4’9”, they may graduate to wearing a standard seat belt.
