When can children ride in the front seat? See WA state rules about kids in cars

Back-to-school season has arrived, which means the return of regular trips to and from campus.

As children get older, they may want to move from a booster seat in the back of the car to the front passenger seat.

When can kids legally sit up front in Washington state? What are the rules when it comes to using car seats?

Here’s what state law says:

How long does my child need a rear-facing car seat?

Car crashes are a “leading cause of death” for children in the United States, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In 2022, nearly 600 passengers age 12 and under were killed in motor vehicle crashes in the United States, the CDC said, and more than 106,000 were injured.

Using child restraints correctly while driving can reduce child fatalities by up to 71%, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.

In Washington state, children must ride in rear-facing car seats until they’re 2 years old, according to the Revised Code of Washington.

From ages 2 to 4, kids can ride in rear- or forward-facing car seats, state law says, but it must have a properly fitting harness.

Rear-facing car seats should never be positioned in front of vehicle airbags, according to the Washington Child Passenger Safety Program, part of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.

Forward-facing car seats can be placed in the front seat of your vehicle if necessary, but they should be moved as far back from the windshield as possible.

When can my kid move to a booster seat?

Children ages 4 and up must use a booster seat until they stand at least 4 feet, 9 inches tall, state law says.

When can my child stop using a booster seat?

Once a child has reached that height limit, they no longer need a booster seat under Washington state law.

That’s to ensure that the “vehicle lap and shoulder seat belts fit properly,” which typically happens when kids are 8 to 12 years old, the Revised Code of Washington says.

Even if your child is no longer using a booster or cat seat, they still must be “secured with a properly fitted seat belt,” state law says.

Car seat rules don’t apply to kids riding in “for-hire vehicles” such as taxis or school buses, airport shuttles and “vehicles providing customer shuttle service between parking, convention and hotel facilities, state law says.

When can children legally ride in the front seat of the car?

Under Washington state law, children should ride in the back seat until they turn 13 — when it’s practical to do so.

If you have multiple younger children riding in the back seat, older children are allowed to sit up front as long as they’re properly restrained.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and the American Academy of Pediatrics also recommend that kids ages 8 to 12 continue riding in the back seat for safety reasons.

“All children younger than 13 years should be restrained in the rear seats of vehicles for optimal protection,” the American Academy of Pediatrics said.

How can I tell my child is ready for a seat belt?

The Washington Child Passenger Safety Program recommends using a “five-step test” to tell if your child is ready to switch from a booster seat to a seat belt:

• Your child’s back rests against the seat without slouching
• Their knees bend at the edge of the seat
• The lap belt sits low across their upper thighs and the shoulder belt sits across mid-shoulder
• Their feet rest on the floor
• They can remain in this position for an entire car ride

If your child can meet these five requirements, the program said, they can ride in the car without a car seat.

Do shorter teens and adults need booster seats?

If your child is under 4 feet, 9 inches tall, they can legally stop using a car or booster once they turn 16.

Adults shorter than 4 feet, 9 inches tall do need to use booster seats because their bodies are more developed than children’s and less susceptible to injury or death in the case of a traffic collision, according to the Washington Child Passenger Safety Program.

What’s the penalty for improper car seat use for kids?

Failure to properly restrain a child in the car can lead to a fine of $150, according to the current Washington State Courts bail schedule.