Question Can my daughter legally ride in a car without a booster seat?

ajfonz · Jul 23, 2014

Hello!
My daughter just turned 8 and she is 50 inches tall. I read the California DMV rule about car/booster seats and it is very vague. My question has a few parts...
1-Can she legally ride in the car with out a booster now that she is 8 years old?
2-If I let her ride without a booster do you recommend a seat belt adjuster for kids?
3-Should she stay in a booster until she is 4 foot 9 inches (57 inches?)

Thank you in advance for your reply!

LISmama810 · Jul 23, 2014

The "easy" way to sum up California's child restraint law is that a child must be 8 years old or 4'9". However, the actual text of the law says that the seatbelt must also fit properly (lap belt low on the hips, shoulder belt crossing the middle of the shoulder). Almost no 8-year-old will meet that criteria.

So technically it's not legal (although honestly, even most cops don't know that part of the law). But beyond that, it's not safe, and that's what's more important. In a crash, and improperly fitting belt can cause serious injuries or even death.

I would strongly suggest keeping her in a backless booster until the seatbelt fits well, which tends to happen around 4'9" but can vary by child and seating position.

LISmama810 · Jul 23, 2014

I also wanted to add that if she's at least 60 lbs, the Safety 1st Incognito might be a good choice. It's inexpensive and looks less like a typical booster seat, so it appeals to older kids who can still benefit from it. [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Safety-1st-Incognito-Positioning-Seat/dp/B00FLXBHE4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406143882&sr=8-1&keywords=safety+1st+incognito"]Amazon.com : Safety 1st Incognito Kid Positioning Seat, Dark Gray : Child Safety Booster Car Seats : Baby[/ame]

jjordan · Jul 23, 2014

Welcome to car-seat.org.

From my understanding of the California booster law, the child must be in a booster until the adult seatbelt in the vehicle fits properly. The 5 step test is a good way to determine whether or not your daughter is ready to ride booster-less, though I will say that a 50" 8 year old is very, very, VERY unlikely to pass the 5 step test. The 57"/4'9" guideline is used because that is the height at which most kids will pass the 5 step test, though it still does depend on the child and the vehicle.

Hope this helps!

ETA: Jennie is faster than me!

Lemonade · Jul 23, 2014

Legally my 49"-50" 8.5 yr old can ride without anything (in PA). However, there is no way he would be safe. He's still in a high back booster. A no back would probably be fine in certain seating positions in my car (though not in my DH's car as the seats have a strange bank to them). But he doesn't complain and fits well in his high back so there he stays.

aeormsby · Jul 23, 2014

Just adding this link with the 5-step test to see when a child fits properly without a booster: http://www.carseat.org/Boosters/630.htm

Most people like to add #6 - feet flat on the floor (to make sure slouching won't happen as they sit for longer than just checking the fit).

Question Can my daughter legally ride in a car without a booster seat?

ajfonz

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