When Should kids leave their car seats?

[Unregistered]

When should kids leave theur car seats? Is it at a certain age, weight, or height? Some people tell me its when they are 13 years old others tell me its when they are 4'9'' tall, and a few people have told me its when they get to 95 pounds. So when should kids be allowed to leave their car seats?

[Jeanum]

Kids should remain in an appropriate child restraint until they pass the 5-step test to properly fit an adult-sized vehicle seatbelt alone. This will vary from child to child and can also vary from vehicle to vehicle, or from one vehicle seating position to another within the same vehicle. Here's the 5-step test for reference:

http://www.carseat.org/Boosters/630.htm

The 5-Step Test.

1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

If you answered "no" to any of these questions, your child needs a booster seat to make both the shoulder belt and the lap belt fit right for the best crash protection. Your child will be more comfortable, too!

[LISmama810]

Jean posted the pertinent information.

There is no set age, weight, or even height at which kids no longer need car seats/boosters. Of the three criteria, height is probably the closest measure (4'9"), but even that isn't exact. Kids carry their height in different ways (torso vs. legs), and different vehicle seats and seat belts will play a role, too.

Overall, it's best to stick with the 5-step test.

[joolsplus3]

I always add a sixth step: feet flat on the floor. If kids legs are dangling, they will slip down to rest their feet, and that pushes the lapbelt up on the tummy (where it can cut into internal organs, rather than being down on the bony hips). My 11 yo ds fits properly in some smaller seats (third row of our minivan, but NOT the large captain's chair, for example), and he's 4 foot 10 and almost 70 pounds.....just goes to prove that you can't depend on any weight or age or height to fit an adult seatbelt properly :thumbsup: