Child Seat Weight Limits

California vehicle code section 27360.

Child seat weight limits.

The child shall be secured in a manner that complies with the height and weight limits specified by the manufacturer of the car seat. If your car seat does not have a label you can determine the maximum allowable child weight for lower anchor use by subtracting the weight of the car seat usually available in the car seat s instruction manual from 65 pounds. Make sure children are properly buckled in a car seat booster seat or seat belt whichever is appropriate for their weight height and age. The vast majority of children will be too tall for their rfo car seat before reaching the seat s maximum weight limit.

Convertible seats with rear facing weight limits up to 40 to 50 pounds forward facing seats with harnesses convertible seats combination seats or forward facing only seats with an upper weight limit of 50 to 90 pounds booster seats with a maximum weight limit of 100 to 125 pounds. Must be restrained in an appropriate booster seat. Those under one year and weighing less than 20 pounds have to be in a rear facing car seat. Here s a simple lesson to help you navigate the age requirements weight limits and various styles of children s car seats.

Always check your car seat s instruction manual look at the labels on the seat or call the car seat s manufacturer to find out your car seat s weight and height maximums. Children under 2 years of age shall ride in a rear facing car seat unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall. Must be prop erly restrained in an approved child safety seat anywhere in the vehicle. Rear facing seats forward facing seats booster seats the safety guidelines all start to blend together after a while.

Are at least 4 years old and at least 35 inches 88 cm tall have grown out of their forward facing car seat. Children less than the age of six years must be in an approved car or booster. Use a rear facing car seat from birth until ages 2 4. Most convertible car seats can be used in the rear facing position until a child reaches the weight limit typically 40 to 50 pounds.

You ll know your child is ready for a booster when they. For the best possible protection infants and toddlers should be buckled in a rear facing car seat in the back seat until they reach the maximum weight and height limits of their car seat. In this state children who are aged between four and six years and weigh between 40 and 60 pounds must be in a car booster seat.