The Car Seat Rules

In Massachusetts, a passenger under the age of 8 is fastened and secured by a child passenger restraint, according to the manufacturer's instructions, unless the passenger measures more than 57 inches in height. A passenger under the age of 13 who is not required to be in a restraint wears a safety belt properly adjusted and fastened.

• G.L. c. 90, § 7AA

• The operator who violates the section is subject to a fine of not more than twenty-five dollars.
• That fine does not apply to a licensed taxi cab not equipped with a child restraint.
• A violation is not evidence of contributory negligence in a civil action.
• A violation is not a moving violation for insurance surcharge purposes, and the citation may be contested under the civil motor vehicle infraction procedure.

• G.L. c. 90, § 7AA

The section does not apply to a child riding a school bus, riding in a vehicle made before July first, nineteen hundred and sixty-six without safety belts, or physically unable to use a conventional or special needs restraint, where a physician certifies that in writing.

• G.L. c. 90, § 7AA