Florida Child Passenger Safety Seat Laws
Every state in the US has different laws regarding child safety in vehicles. All require you to use some sort of a child restraint system, such as special seats with protective seat belts. The position and features of such seats is often regulated by various laws.
Information below contains pertinent information from Florida child passenger safety laws.
Florida child safety seats and child seat belt laws:
- Children under 4 years must be secured in a federally approved child restraint seat.
- Children from 4 to 5 years old must be secured in federally approved child restraint seat, integrated child seat, or child booster seat.
- Passengers under the age of 18 must always wear seatbelts regardless of seating position.
Other seat belt regulations:
- Drivers are responsible and will get cited for any underage persons not appropriately restrained.
- Florida allows medical exemptions for seat belt laws. You will need a certification and statement from a licensed physician.
- All passengers on school buses must wear seat belts, assuming they are provided (Sec. 316.6145).
Wearing seat belts is not required on farm tractors, in living quarters of recreational vehicles, in public buses (excluding school bus), or in trucks over 26,000 pounds in gross weight.
Florida seat belt laws sources and references:
- Florida Statutes, Title XXIII, Chapter 316, Section 316.613 – Child restraint requirements
- Florida Statutes, Title XXIII, Chapter 316, Section 316.6145 – School buses; safety belts and other restraint systems required
- Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles – Child Safety Awareness
Penalties
Drivers are liable for $60 (plus additional assessment costs) for each person who is under 18 years of age and not adequately restrained with a safety belt or child safety seat.
Driver will also receive 3 penalty points against their driver license. Penalty points can be waived if driver submits to a completion of child restraint safety program.
See also: Florida seat belt laws (for adults).
Child passenger safety laws are very important. Make sure your passengers are always properly restrained to avoid fines, but more importantly keep them safe.
