Guide to Virginia Car Seat Laws
Use a booster seat after children outgrow their forward-facing safety seat based on height or weight. Continue using the booster until the child fits the vehicle seat belt properly. Virginia law requires children to use a safety seat through age seven, transitioning only when they turn eight.
Here is a quick guide to Virginia car seat laws. Of course you should always refer to your car seat manual for specific height and weight specifications.
This guide will show you the type of seat you need for your child’s age group, how to find out if it is installed correctly and what penalty you will be facing for not using a car seat at all.
Key Takeaways
- Virginia law requires all children to use an appropriate safety seat through age seven; the transition happens only when the child turns eight.
- Children should use a rear-facing seat until they exceed the manufacturer’s height and weight limits, then move to a forward-facing seat with a harness.
- A booster seat is required after the child outgrows the forward-facing seat, and should be used until the adult seat belt fits properly across the chest and lap.
- Each baby or child in a car seat counts as a separate occupant for HOV lane purposes—an unborn child does not.
- Violating Virginia’s child safety seat law results in a traffic fine; the officer can stop you specifically for this violation.
- Refer to your specific car seat manual for the height and weight limits that determine when to transition between seat types.
- When in doubt, consult a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician for guidance on proper installation and fit.
NOTE: The law changed on July 1, 2019 – ALL child restraint devices must be in the back seat (unless the vehicle has no back seat).
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