Child Car Seat Laws | DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have some law regarding child safety seats.

In Maryland, children under 5 or less than 40 pounds must be in a child restraint. Children over 40 pounds or between the ages of 6 and 15 must wear a regular seatbelt.

Virginia is similar; however, the state leaves out the weight restriction.  Virginia requires children under 5 to be in safety seats and children between 5 and 16 to wear seatbelts.

The District of Columbia requires children under 7 to be in safety restraints and children between 8 and 15 to wear seatbelts.

Sources:  Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Seatbelt Laws                Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Child Restraint Laws