Car Seat Laws in Ohio

Ohio car seat laws require children under four to use a child safety seat. Children under eight need to use a car seat or booster seat until they are over 4’9”.
Written by Bonnie Stinson
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
background
Ohio
car seat laws require that children under four years old (or under 40 pounds) be situated in a child safety seat that meets federal guidelines. Children under eight need to use car seats or booster seats until they are taller than 4’9".
Breaking Ohio’s car seat laws could earn you fines, along with putting young passengers in danger. That’s why
Jerry
has compiled everything you need to know to adhere to Ohio’s car seat laws.

What is the car seat law in Ohio?

Ohio law requires children under four years of age (or under 40 pounds) to be placed in a child safety seat that meets federal guidelines. Though rear-facing car seat laws in Ohio are nonexistent, experts recommend that children under two use rear-facing car seats.
Kids younger than eight should use a booster seat. They can legally ride without the booster seat when they are taller than 4 feet 9 inches, although it’s safer to continue using them until a child can comfortably fit into the adult restraint.
Key Takeaway Children under four years old need to sit in a child safety seat. Children younger than eight should sit in a booster seat.
MORE: Ohio booster seat laws

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

If you break the car seat law in Ohio, you could be fined anywhere between $25 and $75 per occurrence.
Key Takeaway The fine for breaking the car seat law in Ohio is $25 to $75.

Can breaking the car seat law impact my driving record?

No, it’s not likely. In Ohio, you do not receive any points on your driving record for breaking a car seat law.
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How breaking car seat laws can impact insurance in Ohio

In Ohio, breaking the car seat law will not result in points on your record—therefore, it will not impact your insurance premium.
However, if you don’t pay your fine immediately then it could harm your credit score. It’s legal in Ohio for insurers to consider credit scores when determining your premium.
To make sure you don’t see an increase in your payment, make sure to pay all fees promptly—especially if you already have an imperfect record.
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