car seat laws stipulate that children under four years old must be secured in a child restraint system that meets the manufacturer’s specifications. All children are required to be secured in a booster seat or car seat until they’re 4’9".

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What is the car seat law in Missouri?

Passengers under four years old who weigh less than 40 pounds should be secured in an approved child safety seat. The car seat must have a label indicating that it meets federal car seat safety regulations. It must also be manufacturer-approved.

There aren’t any specific rules regarding front or rear-facing seats, though it’s recommended that children stay in rear-facing seats until they grow out of them.

Once a kid reaches 40 pounds, they can transition to a booster seat. They should ride in a booster seat until they reach 80 pounds or 4’9".

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that children under the age of 12 ride in the back seat.

Key Takeaway Kids need to ride in child safety seats until the age of four and after that, they need to use a booster seat until they weigh 80 pounds.

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What are the seat belt laws in Missouri?

What are the penalties for breaking the car seat law in Missouri?

Breaking car seat laws in Missouri will lead to a $50 fine and you’ll be expected to cover any resulting court costs.

You can have this fine waived if you purchase an approved car seat and present proof of installation.

A seatbelt violation will set you back $10.

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Can breaking the car seat law impact my driving record?

Probably not. Violating a seat belt law is considered a minor infraction in Missouri, so you won’t see any points added to your

driving record

Still, the citation will appear on your record and insurers will likely consider it when

calculating your premiums

. If minor violations start to add up, you will be considered a

high-risk driver

high-risk driver.

Also, keep in mind that every time you fail to secure your child properly, you’re putting their life at risk.

Key Takeaway Violating Missouri’s car seat laws won’t earn you any points on your record, but make sure you follow them to protect the children in your car.

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Tips to get a clean driving record

How breaking car seat laws can impact insurance in Missouri

Since you won’t accrue any points on your license, it’s unlikely that your

car insurance rates

will go up if you break car seat laws in Missouri—especially if it’s your only violation.

However, if you continue to make mistakes, the tiny infractions can add up. The more violations you rack up, the bigger risk you are to insurers. If that happens, you can expect your premiums to rise.

Additionally, if you don’t pay the $50 fine, your credit score could take a hit. In some states, that can lead to an insurance hike.

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Missouri car insurance laws— all you need to know

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