Washington D.C. Child Car Seat Laws (2024)

Washington, D.C., has some of the strictest car seat and seat belt laws in the country, and for a good reason. Across the country, car seat requirements and laws are meant to keep children safe when riding in the car. If you are moving to the District of Columbia or planning a vacation there and are curious about the child restraint laws in our nation’s capital, you have come to the right place. Keep reading to learn more about Washington, D.C. car seat laws.

If you live in the D.C. area, you can compare quotes to get the best rates on your Washington, D.C., auto insurance.

Washington, D.C., Car Seat Laws and Requirements

You might already have a booster seat for your child, but you may not know at what age they can switch over to a regular seat belt in Washington. 

To help you find out the laws on booster seat age in Washington and more, here are the guidelines from the District Department of Transportation for Washington, D.C., car seat laws. The district’s Child Restraint Amendment Act of 2002 requires that children under eight years old be securely seated in a properly installed infant, toddler, or booster child safety seat. In addition, the child restraint laws in Washington, D.C., require that all children ages eight and older, along with all adults, wear seat belts at all times.

According to booster seat laws in Washington, children 4 years and older must ride in a car or booster seat until they are 4’9’’ tall. However, booster seat laws in Washington, D.C. are changing. Children ages 2 to 4 must ride in a car seat with a harness (rear or forward-facing), while children up to age 13 must ride in the back seat when practical. For more information on Washington’s booster seat law, you can visit the Traffic Safety Commission.

Washington, D.C., requires that any child up to age 16 must be seated in a properly installed child seat or restrained with a seat belt. As per the D.C. booster seat law, children seven years old or younger must be properly seated in an installed infant, convertible, or booster child seat, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Booster seats must be used with lap and shoulder belts.

What are the factors you should consider when selecting the appropriate car seat for a child?

Requirements for the type of child seat you must use depend on several things, including your child’s age, size, and developmental needs:

• Birth to at least two years — rear-facing child seat
• Two years until five years or maximum weight of the seat — forward-facing with harness
• Four years (approximately) until the seat belt fits — booster seat

While the laws in the District of Columbia don’t prohibit children from riding in the front seat of a car, it’s recommended that kids ride in the back seat of the car until they are at least 13. Since Washington, D.C., is close to other areas, you might want to also read up on Maryland car seat laws and Virginia car seat laws. Generally speaking, they are similar to the car seat laws in Washington state. For instance, according to the Virginia Department of Health, VA laws for car seats require that all children under the age of eight be properly secured in a child safety seat or booster seat which is similar to WA state car seat laws.

Child Safety Seat Violations in Washington, D.C.

When adults are caught for the first time without the correct safety seats for children, they can either pay a $75 fine or pay a $25 fee and take a child safety restraint class. For the second offense, you’ll pay the full fine and take the class. If you’re caught breaking the child safety seat laws a third time, you’re required to pay a $125 fine, and for the fourth time, the fee goes up to $150.

Child Safety Seat Tips

While it might be tempting to buy a pre-owned child safety seat at a thrift store, it’s not a smart move. Children should never be placed in a car seat that has been in an accident, and if you are buying one from an unknown previous owner, you won’t be able to tell if this is the case. 

Kids also shouldn’t be in car seats that are over six years old, as they will no longer meet safety requirements. If your car seat is involved in an accident, talk to your insurance company and see if your car insurance will cover car seats. For newcomers to the D.C. area, you can compare quotes to get the best rates on your Washington, D.C., auto insurance.

The Bottom Line on Car Restraint Laws in Washington, D.C.

Child safety seat laws in Washington, D.C., are strict but designed to protect the lives of young passengers. Whether you are moving to D.C. or planning a trip, it is a good idea to know the laws ahead of time. That way, you can rest assured you are keeping your children as safely secured in your vehicle as possible.