When can a child legally sit in the front seat in California? Here are the requirements

Angela Rodriguez
·2 min read
37

Once your child has reached a certain age, you might consider allowing them to ride in the front seat of the car. As they grow out of their car seat and then booster seat, they might express interest in moving to the front of the car alongside you.

But California has regulations governing when they’re allowed to do so.

Here’s what the law says on when you can legally allow your child to sit in the front passenger seat:

Can my child sit in the passenger seat in California?

California Vehicle Code 27360 states that children under the age of 2 must ride in a rear-facing car seat.

The child no longer has to ride in a rear-facing car seat if:

  • The child weighs 40 or more pounds

  • Or the child is 40 or more inches tall

The child must be secured in a manner that complies with the height and weight limits specified by the car seat’s manufacturer, according to the vehicle code.

After age 2, the child can move into a forward-facing car seat.

When can a child move up to a booster seat?

According to California Highway Patrol website, the law does not address a child’s introduction to a booster seat.

For your child’s safety, the CHP website states that you should not move a child into a booster seat until they are ready. When your child moves to the next seat, their level of protection is reduced, so you should keep them in each stage as long as possible.

A child is typically ready for a booster seat when they have outgrown the weight or height limit of their forward-facing car seat. Read the car seat’s manual to determine its height and weight limits (usually between 40 and 65 pounds), according to the CHP website.

When can a child sit in the front passenger seat?

The vehicle code states that a parent, legal guardian or driver who transports a child under 8 years old must properly secure that child in the rear seat.

  • Children under the age of 8 must be in a car seat or booster seat in the back.

  • Children who are 8 years old or have reached 4 feet, 9 inches tall can be secured by a booster seat, but it is not a requirement. They must at least be secured by a seat belt.

  • Once the child has reached 8 years old, they can legally move up to the front passenger seat.

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