Seat Belts and Car Seats
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-100a — every rider buckled; a child rides rear facing to age two, and in a seat or booster to age eight
The operator of and any passenger in a motor vehicle originally equipped with seat belts wears one while it is operated on a highway. The operator secures in a belt any passenger eight years of age or older and under sixteen.
Who handles this in Connecticut: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Connecticut directory.
| The child | How the child rides |
|---|---|
| The childUnder two years of age, or under 30 pounds | How the child ridesRear facing, in a child restraint system with a five point harness |
| The childTwo to under five, or 30 to under 40 pounds | How the child ridesRear facing or forward facing, with a five point harness |
| The childFive to under eight, or 40 to under 60 pounds | How the child ridesIn a seat with a five point harness, or a booster seat secured by a seat belt |
| The childEight or older and 60 pounds or more | How the child ridesIn a child restraint system or a seat belt |
- A rear facing child seat never goes in the front seat of a vehicle with a working passenger side air bag.
- A booster seat is used only where the vehicle's belt includes a shoulder belt.
- A person whose disability or impairment prevents wearing a belt carries a written statement from a licensed physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse giving the reasons.
| Who | Not wearing a belt |
|---|---|
| WhoAn operator 18 or older, or a passenger with them | Not wearing a beltAn infraction, fined $50 |
| WhoAn operator under 18, or a passenger with them | Not wearing a beltAn infraction, fined $75 |
No officer may stop a car solely because a back seat passenger 16 or older is not wearing a belt, no points go on the license for a belt violation, and not wearing one is not contributory negligence or evidence in a civil action.
Sources for this section (1)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-100a — Seat safety belts. Child restraint systems. Wheelchair transportation devices
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Connecticut attorney.