The Car Seat Rules
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-22 — a rear seat and a child restraint under eight, rear facing under two, and the ticket voided on proof of a purchase
| Child | How the child rides |
|---|---|
| ChildUnder two years, or under thirty pounds | How the child ridesA rear facing car seat |
| ChildUnder eight, under fifty-seven inches and under eighty pounds | How the child ridesA child restraint in a rear seat |
| ChildUnder eight but at least fifty-seven inches or eighty pounds | How the child ridesA safety belt |
| ChildEight to eighteen | How the child ridesA safety belt, in any seat |
The ticket can be voided. A driver cited for no child restraint who shows the police department proof of buying an approved one within seven days has the violation voided. Otherwise it is $100 at the traffic tribunal, and it is not recorded on the driving record.
A child properly restrained but not in a rear seat is subject only to the lesser fine.
The seat's own height and weight limits govern a forward facing harness. A particular ticket is a question for a licensed Rhode Island attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-22 — Safety belt use; Child restraint
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-41.1-4 — Schedule of violations
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Rhode Island attorney.