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

Texas car seat laws require all children under the age of 8 years and who are shorter than 4 feet 9 inches to be secured in a child restraint.

The operator of the vehicle is liable to ensure compliance with the law. A violation is a misdemeanor and carries a penalty that may range from $25 to $250.

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

Texas Car Seat Laws

Texas Rear-Facing Car Seat Law

There is no definite rear-facing car seat law in Texas. Under child seat requirements in Texas, all children under the age of 8 years and shorter than 4’9” have to be secured in a child restraint. (1)

Though the rear-facing car seat age in Texas is absent, the Texas Department of Transportation (DoT) recommends keeping children in an infant rear-facing seat until they are 2 years old. (2) 

The safest option is to keep your child in a rear-facing seat for as long as possible. They should remain in it till they reach the maximum height or weight limits prescribed by the seat manufacturer. 

Even though there is no specific Texas rear-facing child seat law, a violation of the above requirements will attract a penalty of a minimum $25 and a maximum $250. 

Age: Newborn to 2 years (recommended)
Penalty: Minimum $25, maximum $250

Texas Forward-Facing Car Seat Law

According to the forward-facing car seat law in Texas, children younger than 8 years and shorter than 4’9” have to be restrained in a car seat. (1) This includes a forward-facing seat with a harness if your child has outgrown their rear-facing seat.  

The forward-facing car seat age in Texas is not definite. The Texas DoT recommends that a child should continue riding in a forward-facing seat till they reach its maximum height or weight limits. (2) The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also recommends the same.

A violation of Texas forward-facing child seat law is a misdemeanor. It carries a minimum fine of a minimum $25 and a maximum $250. This does not apply when a child is being transported in a vehicle for emergency or law enforcement purposes. 

Age: Less than 8 years
Height: Shorter than 4’9”
Penalty: Minimum $25, maximum $250

Texas Booster Seat Law

According to the child booster seat law in Texas, all children under the age of 8 years who are shorter than 4’9” must be secured in a car seat. (1) This includes a booster seat. Depending on your requirements, it can be a high back or backless booster seat. 

The booster seat age in Texas is not mentioned explicitly. However, your child should shift to a booster only after they exceed the maximum height or weight limits of their forward-facing seats.

They should continue riding in a booster seat till they reach 4’9” in height or can wear the seat belt properly. This typically happens between 8 to 12 years of age. 

A violation of Texas booster seat requirements carries a penalty of minimum $25 to maximum $250.

Age: Less than 8 years
Height: Shorter than 4’9”
Penalty: Minimum $25, maximum $250

Texas Child Front Seat Law

There is no definite child front seat law in Texas. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends keeping children younger than 13 years in the backseat. 

Under Texas child seat laws, all child restraints must be installed as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Some manufacturers do not allow for car seats to be installed in the front. You must never install a rear-facing seat in the front seat if the passenger-side airbag is active. 

If you are carrying your child in the front seat, you must secure them in a child restraint that is appropriate for their height and weight requirements. The vehicle seat must be pushed as far away from the dashboard as possible. 

Even though the front seat age in Texas is not mentioned, it is best to follow the guidelines of the AAP.

Age: 13 years (recommended)

Texas Child Seat Belt Law

According to the child seat belt law in Texas, children under the age of 17 years who are not required to use a car seat must be secured in an adult safety belt. (3) They have to be buckled up in the front seat as well as the backseat. 

Seat belt rules in Texas do not apply to those who possess a written statement from a licensed physician stating that they should not wear a seat belt due to medical reasons.

A person working for the US Postal Service, or delivering newspapers, or working for a utility company that requires them to frequently enter into and exit a vehicle are exempted from these requirements. 

Not wearing a seat belt is a misdemeanor under Texas children’s seat belt law. It carries a fine of a minimum $100 and a maximum $200.

Age: 8 to 17 years
Height: 4’9” or taller 
Penalty: Minimum $100, maximum $200

Texas Taxi Child Seat Law

According to the taxi child seat law in Texas, taxis are not required to have car seats. 

Car seat laws in Texas require all children younger than 8 years and shorter than 4’9” to be safely secured in a car seat. (1)

Vehicles that are for hire are exempt from this. Since taxis fall in this category, they are not required to have a car seat for a child passenger. 

Even though there is no legal requirement to have a taxi child seat in Texas, you should not travel with your child without one. Ideally, you should arrange a car seat for your child before traveling with them in a taxi.

The seat must be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You can ask the taxi driver for help with installation. 

Texas Ridesharing Child Seat Law

There is no clear ridesharing child seat law in Texas.

According to Texas car seat regulations, the vehicle operator must ensure that children under the age of 8 years and shorter than 4’9” are secured in a child restraint system. (1)

However, the law does not specify if it applies to ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft. Nor does it specify who— the caregiver or driver— should provide and install a child seat.

It is recommended that either the parents/caregivers or the driver provide an appropriate car seat. For babies under 2 years, this means a rear-facing car seat.

For toddlers and young children under 8 years and shorter than 4’9”, a forward-facing car seat or a booster seat is required. Children taller than 4’9” can wear the seat belt. 

Texas Child Seat Replacement Law

A specific child seat replacement law in Texas is absent. However, the NHTSA recommends you replace your  child safety seat after an accident. 

If your vehicle is involved in a moderate or severe accident in Texas, you must replace the car seat. It must never be used again. However, there is no need to replace it after a low-impact accident. What qualifies as a low-impact crash can be determined with the help of these questions. 

Apart from child seat replacement after an accident, you must also replace the seat if it has surpassed its expiry date. You can refer to the car seat manual to check how long the manufacturer recommends its usage. You should also replace the seat if it was recalled.

Leaving Child in the Car in Texas

According to the law on leaving a child in a vehicle in Texas, it is illegal to intentionally or knowingly leave a child younger than 7 years in a car for more than 5 minutes without the supervision of someone who is at least 14 years old. (4)

There are many risks associated with leaving a child unattended in a vehicle. The most common danger is heat stroke. Summers in Texas get very hot and 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.  It can cause seizures, heart attack, as well as brain, kidney and liver damage.

Leaving a child in the car in Texas is classified as a Class C misdemeanor under the Texas Penal Code. It carries a maximum fine of $500. It is also a form of neglectful supervision that may get the Child Protective Services involved. (5) 

Choosing a Child Car Seat in Texas

The NHTSA recommendations make choosing a car seat in Texas easier. 

From the time your child is born till they turn at least 2 years old, a rear-facing car seat is the best car seat to use in Texas. They can then move to a forward-facing seat with a harness.

They should ride in them till they reach the maximum height and weight limits as prescribed by the manufacturer.

After they outgrow their forward-facing seat, they should move to booster seats. The best booster seat to use in Texas is one that props your child up so that the seat belt fits them perfectly.

Car Seat Installation Help in Texas

It is important to install child passenger safety seats in Texas as per the car seat manufacturer’s instructions. Installing a car seat can be a tedious task.

To help you with it, there are different stations with certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technicians.

You can get your car seat checked or installed and also learn more about child passenger safety. Some of the stations where you can get assistance are:

• SAFE KIDS Greater Houston Network of Inspection Stations
• Missouri City Police Department 
• Coppell Fire Department
• Children’s Health Car Seat Program 
• Southlake Police and Fire Departments
• Irving Police Department
• Pearland Fire Department 

Texas Car Seat Safety Resources

• Texas Department of Transportation: The DoT spells out the child passenger safety law. It also provides resources to schedule a car seat check and learn more about car seat safety. 
• Texas Department of Public Service: The Department has a document containing commonly asked questions about child passenger safety. It answers them while also providing additional resources. 
• Texas Click It or Ticket: It contains information about the safe use of car seats as well as places where you can get them inspected. It also helps you find the right car seat for your child. 
• Texas Children’s Hospital: A leading hospital in the state, it provides safety tips to parents and caregivers on child passenger safety.

FAQ

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

The Texas Department of Transportation recommends that a child ride in a rear-facing seat till at least 2 years of age or till they outgrow its maximum limits.

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

The law is silent. It is best to put a rear-facing car seat in the back. If you do put it in front, the front seat airbag must be deactivated. 

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

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

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

There is no specific age. But a child can face forward after they have outgrown their rear-facing seat. This typically happens around 2 years of age.

How old for a booster seat in Texas?

There is no specific age under Texas state law. But the ideal time is when the child outgrows their forward-facing seat according to its manufacturing limits. 

When to use a backless booster seat in Texas?

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 Texas?

Children should ideally ride in the backseat till they are 13 years old. But if unavoidable, they can ride in the front seat with the seat pushed back and the passenger-side airbag deactivated. 

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

A child can stop using a booster seat when they turn 8 years old or reach 4’9” in height, regardless of age. They can then wear the lap and shoulder belt.

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

Children are safer in the backseat. But they can sit in the front seat in a child restraint if the vehicle seat is pushed as far back from the dashboard as possible. 

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

When the child outgrows the height and weight limits of the 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 Texas?

Under the law, a child can start using a regular seat belt once they are 8 years old or stand at least 4’9” tall (regardless of age). 

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

Taxis are not required to have a car seat. It is recommended that you check with the driver or carry your own car seat for maximum protection of your child. 

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

The law does not mention ridesharing services like Uber. But either the caregiver or the driver should provide a federally approved and appropriate car seat. 

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

The law is not clear on this issue. But either the caregiver or the driver should provide an appropriate car seat to ensure the child’s safety.