Tennessee Car Seat Laws

I think they have to stay in a booster seat till they are 9 years old or 4'9" or 90 lbs. I know my 9 year old is still in a booster seat because the seat belt does not fit him the right way.

I don't know what the laws are. However as an former Auto Insurance Claim Adjuster I waited until my daughter was 9 years old to get out of the booster. To many accident photos with kids in them.

Hi S.,

It's going to be several years before your 4 year old can sit in the car without any kind of seat. Go to www.state.tn.us (the state's website)...you will find the TN law there. I yahooed TN car seat laws, and chose the one with that website. That is going to be your most accurate. You can also contact someone at your local police station...there are several officers who will check
car seats and know all of the laws. Hope this helps.
R.

The following changes have been made to the Child Passenger Restraint Law effective July 1st, 2004.

For more information on Tennessee's Child Restraint Laws, visit the Click it or Ticket website, or refer to T.C.A. 55-9-602

* Children under one (1) year of age, or any child, weighing twenty (20) pounds or less, must be secured in a child passenger restraint system in a rear facing position, meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards, in a rear seat, if available, or according to the child safety restraint system or vehicle manufacturer's instructions. (Note: If the child safety seat has a higher rear-facing weight rating, usually 30 or 35 pounds, it may be continued to be used in a rear-facing position so long as the child's weight permits. Check the manufacturers instructions accompanying the child safety seat for more information.)
* Children age one (1) through age three (3), and weighing more than twenty (20) pounds, must be secured in a child safety seat in a forward facing position in the rear seat, if available, or according to the child safety restraint system or vehicle manufacturer's instructions.
* Children age four (4) through age eight (8), and measuring less than four feet nine inches (4'9") in height, must be secured in a belt-positioning booster seat system, meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards in the rear seat, if available, or according to the child safety restraint system or vehicle manufacturer's instructions. (Note: If the child is not between age four (4) and age eight (8), but is less than four feet nine inches (4'9") in height, he/she must still use a seat belt system meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards.)
* Children age nine (9) through age twelve (12), or any child through twelve (12) years of age, measuring four feet nine inches (4'9") or more in height, must be secured in a seat belt system. It is recommended that any such child be placed in the rear seat, if available. (Note: If the child is not between age nine (9) and age twelve (12), but is four feet nine inches (4'9") or more in height, he/she must still use a seat belt system meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards.)
* Children age thirteen (13) through age fifteen (15) must be secured by using a passenger restraint system, including safety belts, meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards.
* Provision is made for the transportation of children in medically prescribed modified child restraints. A copy of Doctor's prescription is to be carried in the vehicle utilizing the modified child restraint at all times.
* The driver of the car is responsible for making sure that children under age sixteen (16) are properly restrained and may be charged and fined $50.00 for violation of the law. If the child's parent or legal guardian is present in the car but not driving, the parent or legal guardian is responsible for making sure that the child is properly transported and may be fined for non-compliance.
* Police officers observing violations of this law are permitted to stop drivers and take enforcement action. PLEASE PROPERLY RESTRAIN CHILDREN

I found the info here....
http://babyproducts.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1...

Hello.....
• Children age four (4) through age eight (8), and measuring less than four feet nine inches (4'9") in height, must be secured in a belt-positioning booster seat system, meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards in the rear seat, if available, or according to the child safety restraint system or vehicle manufacturer's instructions. (Note: If the child is not between age four (4) and age eight (8), but is less than four feet nine inches (4'9") in height, he/she must still use a seat belt system meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards.)
• Children age nine (9) through age twelve (12), or any child through twelve (12) years of age, measuring four feet nine inches (4'9") or more in height, must be secured in a seat belt system. It is recommended that any such child be placed in the rear seat, if available. (Note: If the child is not between age nine (9) and age twelve (12), but is four feet nine inches (4'9") or more in height, he/she must still use a seat belt system meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards.)
• Children age thirteen (13) through the age of fifteen (15) must be secured by using a passenger restraint system, including safety belts, meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards.
• Provision is made for the transportation of children in medically prescribed modified child restraints. A copy of Doctor's prescription is to be carried in the vehicle utilizing the modified child restraint at all times.
• The driver of the car is responsible for making sure that children under age sixteen (16) are properly restrained and may be charged and fined $50.00 for violation of the law. If the child's parent or legal guardian is present in the car but not driving, the parent or legal guardian is responsible for making sure that the child is properly transported and may be fined for non-compliance.
• Police officers observing violations of this law are permitted to stop drivers and take enforcement action. PLEASE PROPERLY RESTRAIN CHILDREN

I thought it was 40 lbs.

http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/ClickItorTicket/seatbelt_laws...

the 4 year old can do a booster with a back. 4 foot 9 inches they can ride without a booster. Here is the link to the new law:

http://www.state.tn.us/safety/newCRD.htm

The Web site with all the child restraint laws listed clearly for Tennessee -- http://www.tennessee.gov/safety/newCRD.htm.

In it it's 40 lbs take him and let him pick out a booster seat. My 5 year old is still in a booster and I plan to keep her in it as long as I can. It's a lot safer that way and I just care too much to let her get hurt

There is a difference between "car seats" and "booster seats." Car seats are the "chair-like" devices with the five-point restraints. "Booster seats" are the seats without backs that sit on a regular seat and the child uses the regular seatbelt. Car seats are by far the safest way for a child to travel. My almost 5-year-old (who weighs about 40 pounds) still uses his car seat in my minivan or when we go on long trips (regardless of which vehicle we use), but on shorter trips around town in my husband's car or when he's with his aunt or grandparents, we let him use a booster seat.

I think it is 9 now. My grandaughters came the other day and I put the 2 year old in the car seat, the 3 year old in a booster seat and my 7 year old used a seat belt. We couldn't get three car seats in the back seat of my Sentra.

I'm not certain, but I'm almost positive it's a height requirement and not age/weight. I think it's 4'9". I also think that you may be able to swap the car seat for a booster seat. You may want to verify my info, though.

I see that others have cited the TN law about car seats and boosters. S., please do not let your child dictate that he will not sit in a car seat. Aside from the law, which he should learn to respect anyway, it's simply not safe for him to be able to wander about the back seat unrestrained or, even worse, to sit in the front seat. The seat belts that come with your vehicle are designed for someone over 4'9" tall. Anything less can severely injure the child in case of an accident or even a sudden stop.

I hope you're teaching your children to obey the laws and setting an example by buckling up yourself! I don't put the car in gear until everyone is belted -- even a guest passenger! The liability and the potential for disaster is just too great.