Child Safety Laws & Regulations

Indiana Child Restraint Law (Effective July 1, 2005)

  • Children are required to ride properly restrained in a child restraint, which can include a belt positioning booster seat, until they reach their 8th birthday. (This does not include shoulder belt positioners.)
  • Children at least 8 years old until their 16th birthday are required to ride properly restrained in a child restraint system or seat belt in all seating positions in all vehicles.
  • If first time offenders of this violation bring a child safety seat or booster to court, the fine will be waived.
  • Fees collected from violations will be entered into a fund to purchase child restraints for low income families throughout Indiana.

Exemptions

If all lap/shoulder seat belts are being used by other children, then a child over 40 pounds may ride in a lap only seat belt without a child restraint. (Booster seats cannot be safely used with a lap only seat belt.)

Additional exemptions include vehicles such as:

  • Ambulances and other emergency vehicles
  • Motorcycles
  • Public passenger buses
  • School buses

Indiana Passenger Law (Effective July 1, 2007)

  • Occupants 16 and older are required to ride properly restrained in a seat belt.
  • This law applies to all seating positions in all vehicles, including pick-up trucks and SUVs.