Florida Car Seat Laws 2024 (Rear, Forward & Booster)

Under Florida car seat laws, all children 5 years old or younger have to be secured in a crash-tested child restraint system.

There is a $60 penalty for violating the law and 3 points assessed to the driver’s record. They may choose to participate in a child safety program if the court approves. 

Disclaimer: This content does not constitute legal advice. It is solely for informational purposes. Always check the original source of the law for the latest version.

• Rear-Facing
• Forward-Facing
• Booster 
• Front Seat
• Seat Belt
• Taxi Seat
• Ridesharing Seat
• Replacement
• Alone in Car
• Choosing a Seat
• Installation Help

Florida Car Seat Laws

Florida Rear-Facing Car Seat Law

There is no specific rear-facing car seat law in Florida. 

Car seat laws in Florida state that a child through 3 years of age must be restrained in a separate carrier or an integrated child seat in the vehicle. (1) As per the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a baby should be secured in an infant rear-facing seat at least till the age of 2 years old. 

Since there is no Florida rear-facing child seat law, the rear-facing car seat age in Florida is not mentioned. The best practice is to keep babies in a rear-facing car seat till they outgrow their maximum height and weight limits. 

A violation of the law carries a penalty of $60 with 3 points assessed to the driver’s record. (2) These may be waived at the court’s discretion after the offender completes a court-approved car seat safety program. 

Age: Less than 4 years
Penalty: $60; 3 points assessed to driver’s license

Florida Forward-Facing Car Seat Law

There is no express forward-facing car seat law in Florida. Children under 4 years of age have to be properly secured in a separate carrier or the vehicle manufacturer’s integrated car seat. (1)

In the absence of a clear Florida forward-facing child seat law, it is best to refer to the recommendations of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Though the forward-facing car seat age in Florida is absent, the NHTSA recommends that children ride in a forward-facing seat with a harness till they surpass its maximum height and weight limits. They can then move to a booster seat. 

A violation of Florida child seat laws carries a penalty of $60. (2) The court may waive it if the violator completes a court-approved car seat safety program. 

Age: Less than 4 years
Penalty:$60; 3 points assessed to driver’s license

Florida Booster Seat Law

According to the child booster seat law in Florida, children 4 through 5 years of age must be restrained in a booster seat. (1)  It can be a high-back or a backless booster seat. 

The booster seat age in Florida is 4 to 5 years. There are no prescribed height or weight limits. 

The above Florida booster seat requirements do not apply to a person transporting a child in a medical emergency.

They also do not apply to an operator who is not a member of the child’s immediate family and is gratuitously transporting them.

Children who have a medical condition that does not allow them to use a car seat are also exempt. However, there must be appropriate documentation of the condition from a licensed healthcare professional. 

A violation of Florida car seat regulations will be fined $60. (2)

Age: 4 to 5 years
Penalty: $60; 3 points assessed to driver’s license

Florida Child Front Seat Law

There is no clear child front seat law in Florida. The AAP recommends keeping children younger than 13 years in the backseat for as long as practical as it is the safest position for them.

While an explicit front seat age in Florida is missing, a child older than 13 years can ride in the front seat. They must wear a seat belt if they are taller than 4’9”.

A younger child must be placed in a child passenger safety system that is appropriate for their height and weight requirements. The vehicle seat must be pushed as far back from the dashboard as possible.

If you are traveling with a child in a rear-facing car seat in the front seat, ensure that the front passenger-side airbag is deactivated.

Age: 13+ years (recommended)

Florida Child Seat Belt Law

According to the child seat belt law in Florida, a child between 5 to 18 years old has to wear an adult safety belt. (3) This applies whether they are in the backseat or the front seat.

Seat belt rules in Florida do not apply to children who cannot wear seat belts due to a medical condition. They also do not apply to an employee of a newspaper home delivery service or a solid waste or recyclable collection service and a rural letter carrier of the US Postal Service while on duty.

Violating the requirements of Florida children’s seat belt law entails a fine of $30. (2) The parent, guardian, or person responsible for the child’s welfare will be penalized if the child is not wearing a seat belt.

Age: 5 to 18 years
Penalty: $30

Florida Taxi Child Seat Law

According to the taxi child seat law in Florida, taxis are not required to have a child passenger safety system in place. Florida state law on child restraint exempts them from its purview. (1)

The parent, guardian, or the person responsible for the child’s welfare has to provide a taxi child seat in Florida. Thus, it is best if you arrange an appropriate car seat before traveling with your child in a taxi. Depending on the child’s age and height, you can choose a rear-facing, forward-facing, or booster seat. 

When installing the car seat in a taxi, it is your responsibility as a caregiver to ensure that it is securely fixed. You can refer to the car seat manual for proper installation and also take the driver’s assistance. 

Florida Ridesharing Child Seat Law

There is no clear ridesharing child seat law in Florida. 

Child seat requirements in Florida do not apply “if the operator and the motor vehicle are hired and used for the transportation of persons for compensation” (1). However, there is no mention of ridesharing services such as Uber or Lyft. 

Florida law requires all children under the age of 5 years to be restrained in an appropriate car seat. Only those who are unable to use a car seat due to medical reasons are exempt. 

The best option, in this case, is for you as the parents/caregivers to provide a child seat. For babies under 2 years, this means a rear-facing car seat.

Those who have outgrown these seats can use a forward-facing car seat. Older children who have outgrown their forward-facing seats need to ride in booster seats. 

Florida Child Seat Replacement Law

There is no definite child seat replacement law in Florida. However, you must replace your child safety seat if it is involved in an accident or has expired. 

The NHTSA recommends child seat replacement after an accident, especially after a moderate or severe crash. In case of a low-impact accident, there is no urgent need to replace the car seat.

A low-impact crash is where no passenger is injured, the door nearest to the car seat is not damaged and the seat itself shows no visible damage.

Apart from replacing the seat after an accident in Florida, you must also replace it after it has expired or been recalled by the manufacturer. Check the manufacturer’s website or car seat sticker for more information. 

Leaving Child in The Car in Florida

According to the law on leaving a child in a vehicle in Florida, it is illegal to leave a child under 6 years of age unsupervised or unattended in a motor vehicle for any amount of time if the vehicle is running. (4) 

The most common danger of leaving a child unattended in a vehicle is heat stroke. The temperature inside the vehicle can rise rapidly. Since children’s bodies heat up faster than adults, they are at great risk of suffering a heat stroke. 

Leaving a child in the car in Florida with the vehicle running is punishable with a fine of a minimum of $50 and a maximum of $00. If the child is left unattended in the vehicle for more than 15 minutes, the person will be charged with a misdemeanor of the second degree and imprisoned for a maximum of 60 days. It also carries a fine of $500.

Choosing a Child Car Seat in Florida

When choosing a car seat in Florida, you can refer to the NHTSA recommendations.

Until your child is at least 2 years old, an infant rear-facing car seat is the best car seat to use in Florida. These seats are the best way to keep babies safe in a car. 

Once your child outgrows their rear-facing seat, they can then move to a forward-facing seat with a harness and tether.

After they surpass the maximum height and weight limits of the forward-facing seats, they should use booster seats. The best booster seat to use in Florida is one that raises your child up so that the seat belt fits them perfectly. 

Car Seat Installation Help in Florida

You must install your car seat as per the manufacturer’s instructions. In addition, you also have to refer to your vehicle’s manual. All this can seem complicated and you may not always succeed in installing the car seat correctly. 

To help you with correctly installing child passenger safety seats in Florida, there are different stations with certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technicians. Some of these stations are:

• John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
• Boca Raton Police Services Department
• Altamonte Springs Police Department 
• Lake Mary Fire Department 
• Sanford Fire Department 
• City of Longwood Police Department
• A complete list of fitting stations for Seminole County can be accessed at the Safe Kids Seminole County website. 

Florida Car Seat Safety Resources

• Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles: It thoroughly explains the law and provides a host of resources on car seats. 

• Florida Occupant Protection Resource Center: The Florida OPRC was established by the Florida Department of Transportation. It contains a list of resources on child passenger safety. These include materials on using different car seats, installation instructions and videos, and recall updates.
• John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital: One of the country’s leading children’s hospitals, it provides valuable resources and guidelines on car seat safety in a ‘myths and facts’ format. 
• Miami-Dade County: The county’s official website provides insightful tips on how to correctly install car seats. 

FAQ

How long should a child ride in a rear-facing car seat in Florida?

There is nothing mentioned in the law. But it is recommended that a child should ride in a rear-facing car seat till the age of 2 years. 

Can you put a rear-facing car seat in the front seat in Florida?

The law does not explicitly prohibit it but it is best to put a rear-facing car seat in the back. If you put it in front, ensure that the front seat airbag is deactivated. 

Can you put a rear-facing car seat in the middle rear seat in Florida?

You can put a rear-facing car seat in the middle rear seat but it must fit properly. You must go through the car seat as well as your vehicle’s manuals.

When can a baby face forward in a car seat in Florida?

The law doesn’t specifically mention anything. But the NHTSA recommends that a baby can face forward once they outgrow the height and weight limits of their rear-facing seat.

How old for a booster seat in Florida?

As per the booster seat law in Florida children 4 through 5 years of age should travel in booster seats. They should ideally use them till they are at least 4’9” tall. 

When to use a backless booster seat in Florida?

You can use a backless booster seat if your vehicle seat has a headrest and the child’s ears are not higher than the seat back. 

When can a child sit in the front seat with a booster in Florida?

Ideally, children in a booster should ride in the back seat. If necessary, the booster seat can be placed in front with the vehicle seat pushed away from the dashboard.

When can a child stop using a booster seat in Florida?

Under the law, a child can stop using a booster seat once they are 5 years old. However, children should keep riding in a booster seat till they are big enough for the seat belt. 

When can a child sit in the front seat in Florida?

There is no specific age. But the AAP recommends that it is safe for children under 13 years of age to ride in the backseat. 

When to switch from 5 point harness to a seat belt in Florida?

When the child outgrows the height and weight limits of their 5-point harness, they can switch to wearing a seat belt in a booster seat. 

When can a child use a regular seat belt in Florida?

Under the law, when the child turns 5 years old, they can use a regular seat belt. But they should only use a seat belt once they are big enough for it (at least 4’9” tall). 

Do you need a car seat in a taxi in Florida?

No, you do not need a car seat in a taxi in Florida. The law exempts them. But it is best if you carry your car seat.

Do you need a car seat in a Uber in Florida?

The law is not clear on this issue. But as the caregiver, you should carry a federally approved and appropriate car seat to ensure the child’s safety. 

Do you need a car seat in a Lyft in Florida?

The law does not mention Lyft. But it is best for you to have a federally approved and appropriate car seat for your child’s safety.