1. The law requires children under the age of four to be restrained in a federally approved car seat when riding in a motor vehicle [Section 1229-c(1), NYS Vehicle & Traffic Law].
2. If the weight of a child under the age of 4 exceeds 40 pounds, the child may be restrained in an appropriate child restraint system, allowing the child to use a booster seat. Children ages 4, 5,and 6 must be properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system, one for which your child meets the weight and height recommendations of the child restraint manufacturer. [Section 1229-c(1), NYS Vehicle & Traffic Law] A child safety seat or harness/vest or booster seat may be used.
3. The vehicle's safety belts are not defined as a child restraint system under this law, as safety belts are not designed for children under 4'9" and therefore, do not protect young children.

Although New York does not have a law preventing children from sitting in the front seat, it is highly recommended that all children age 12 and under ride properly restrained in the back seat. Researchers estimate that just by putting a child in the back seat instead of the front seat reduces the chance of injury and death by more than 30%.

Yes. The law states that children under the age of four must be restrained in a federally approved car seat while riding on a school bus [Section 1229-c(11), NYS Vehicle & Traffic Law].

Children under the age of four riding in campers, recreation vehicles or mobile homes are required to be in a car seat.

Yes. The driver is held responsible for properly restraining child passengers under the age of sixteen, and can be fined a minimum of $25 up to a maximum of $100. The driver will receive 3 points on their driving record as well.

[See Section 1229-c(5), NYS Vehicle & Traffic Law.]

There are four basic types of child safety seats available: infant, convertible, forward-facing only and booster. Which one you should use depends upon the weight and height of the child. It is important to always read the child safety seat manufacturer's instructions for installation and use.

No. Vests that meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Standard 213 are available, but they cannot be used instead of a car seat. The law specifies a seat. [Section 1229-c(1)(2), NYS Vehicle & Traffic Law.]
However, vests that meet FMVSS 213 may be used as an alternate to booster seats for children ages 4, 5 and 6.

The best car seat is the one that fits your child properly, fits your vehicle correctly, and is easy to use so that you will use it correctly every time the child rides in a car. Choose a car seat that is appropriate for your child's age, size, and developmental and physical needs. The best way to ensure a proper fit in your vehicle is to try installing the child seat before purchasing.

You can have your child's car seat checked for correct installation by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician at a fitting station. To find one near you, go see our list of Fitting Stations.

You can find information at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's web site at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CPS/CSSRating/Index.cfm or you may call SafetyBeltSafe USA at 1-800-745-SAFE.

You can call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9393 or access the recall list for child safety seats from the NHTSA web site at www.nhtsa.dot.gov.

You will find a Customer Service number in your car seat manufacturer's instructions or you can call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9393. You will need to give the Customer Service representative your child safety seat's model number and date of manufacturer. This information can be found on a sticker somewhere on the car seat's plastic shell.