Use a rear-facing car seat from birth until 2 years old, or until they reach the rear-facing car seat’s weight or height limit. See below for requirements.

• Virginia Law requires rear-facing car seats to be used in the back seat and never in front of an active airbag.
• The car seat should be buckled tightly in the car, using the vehicle seat belt or latch. It does not move more than one inch when pulled on.
• The car seat should sit at the angle stated in the car seat manual.
• The harness straps should be snug, straight, flat, and routed through the slots that are level with, or below, the shoulders.
• The chest clip should be at the same level as the armpits.
• Do not use accessories that did not come with the seat (e.g., pads, mirrors, toys).

Forward-facing seats are appropriate for children over the age of 2, or have outgrown the rear-facing car seat’s weight or height limit. See below for requirements.

• A child is safer when riding in the back seat.
• The car seat should be buckled tightly in the car, using the vehicle seat belt or LATCH. It should not move more than one inch when pulled on.
• Always use the correct forward-facing belt path to secure the seat to the vehicle.
• The tether strap should be attached to the correct vehicle anchor point, as stated in the vehicle owner’s manual.
• The harness straps should be snug, straight, flat, and routed through the slots that are level with, or above, the shoulders.
• The chest clip should be at the same level as the armpits.

It’s time for a booster seat once children have outgrown the forward-facing car seat’s weight or height limit. See below for requirements.

• A child is safer when riding in the back seat.
• Secure child in the booster seat by a lap AND shoulder belt.
• The lap belt should sit low and snug on the thighs, not on the stomach.
• The shoulder belt should lay across the middle of the chest – not on the neck, under the arm, or behind the back.
• Be sure the seat belt is snug, flat, and comfortable.
• Only use a backless booster seat when the vehicle seat has a headrest.

Children are ready for a seat belt once they are at least age 8 (legal minimum in Virginia). If child does not fit correctly in a seat belt, use a booster seat. See below for requirements.

• The lap belt should sit low and snug on the thighs, not on the stomach.
• The shoulder belt should lay across the middle of the chest – not on the neck, under the arm, or behind the back.
• The child should sit with their back and hips firmly against the back of the seat, without slouching during the whole ride.
• Knees should be able to bend naturally over the edge of the seat, while feet should be able to touch the floor, without slouching.
• Children are safer riding in the back seat until at least 13 years old.