The Car Seat Rules
Veh. & Traf. Law § 1229-c — rear facing under two, a seat under four, a restraint until eight
In New York, no one may operate a motor vehicle unless the children in it are restrained as the statute sets out by age, in the back seat and the front.
- Under the age of two: a specially designed seat meeting the federal standard, facing the rear unless the child exceeds the seat maker's rear-facing size or weight limits.
- Under the age of four: a specially designed seat, or, over forty pounds, a child restraint system with a lap and shoulder belt.
- Age four or older but under eight: an appropriate child restraint system used with a lap and shoulder belt, or a lap belt where no shoulder belt is free.
- Any other passenger under the age of sixteen: a safety belt.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionA toddler can face forward at one | What the law actually doesUnder the age of two rides rear facing unless the child exceeds the seat's rear-facing limits |
| The assumptionA seat belt is enough from age four | What the law actually doesAge four to eight rides in a child restraint system used with the lap and shoulder belt |
Exemptions, taxis and buses, and the fines for each child are not all on this page. What a particular situation carries is a question for a licensed New York attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Veh. & Traf. Law § 1229-c — Operation of vehicles with safety seats and safety belts
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed New York attorney.