New Minnesota Car Seat Laws Take Effect Thursday

A new child restraint law will come into effect for Minnesotans on August 1st. The new law includes a requirement that all children under 13 years old MUST sit in the back seat of any motor vehicle that has one.

“Every driver who transports a child or children under the age of 18 years old in a motor vehicle is required to have the child or children restrained in a child safety seat or seat belt. If a child can be placed in more than one category, then the child must be placed in the more protective category,” reads the new law.

The new rules state that any infant under two years old must be secured in a rear-facing convertible or infant carrier seat, regardless of the infant's size.

A child at least two years old AND has outgrown the manufacturer's height or weight limits for a rear-facing car seat must be secured in a forward-facing car seat with internal harness.

Children at least four years old who have outgrown their forward-facing car seat with internal harness must be secured by a belt-positioning booster seat using the lap and shoulder belt.

A child at least nine years old -or- has outgrown their booster seat AND the child can pass the "five step test" (feet flat on floor, butt all the way back in the seat, lap belt in proper position, shoulder belt on collarbone, able to stay seated for entire ride) may be restrained by the lap and shoulder belt if the child can be secured properly.

The law also states any child under 13 years old must sit in the back seat of a motor vehicle, if a rear seat is available, and be properly restrained.