Car Seat Laws in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania requires children under two to use a rear-facing car seat in the backseat. Check the car seat manufacturer’s requirements for older kids.
Written by Bonnie Stinson
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Pennsylvania
law requires that children under two years of age use a rear-facing car seat in the backseat. When a child outgrows the car seat manufacturer’s height and weight requirements, they may be allowed to graduate to the next level.

What is the car seat law in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania law requires that children under two years old use a rear-facing car seat in the backseat.
Until the age of four, children in Pennsylvania must be restrained with a federally-approved child safety seat. Children between four and eight are legally required to be restrained with an appropriate booster seat.
When a child outgrows the car seat manufacturer’s height and weight requirements, they may be allowed to graduate to the next level.
Key Takeaway Follow the manufacturer guidelines for height and weight, and consult expert recommendations for installation to be sure you’re using appropriate protections.

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

If you break Pennsylvania’s car seat law, you will face a penalty of $125.
Note that this fee is per violation. So if you have two children in the car and neither is secured properly, your total fine could be $250.
The Pennsylvania car seat law in 2018 holds up today and is per the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) advice.
Key Takeaway The penalty for breaking the car seat law in Pennsylvania is $125 per violation.

Can breaking the car seat law impact my driving record?

It’s unlikely. You typically won't get points on your
Pennsylvania driving record
if you break the car seat law.
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How breaking car seat laws can impact insurance in Pennsylvania

If you are fined for breaking a car seat law in Pennsylvania and you do not pay the fine, it could impact your
car insurance
.
This is because if you do not pay that fine (or pay it late), it could affect your credit. In Pennsylvania, it’s legal for insurance companies to consider your credit score when calculating your premium.
So if you do not want your car insurance premium to go up, then be sure to pay your fees promptly. Even better, don’t break the law!

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