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Florida Kid's Seat Laws

Knowing whether or not you need to restrain your youngster in a child seat, booster seat or car seat is important, not only for their safety, but to reduce the risk of being ticketed for improper restraints and having points against your driver's license. Some states insist that children be restrained in rear seats dependent upon their age, and other states have different restrictions. Florida is one of the most lenient of states regarding its child restraint laws.

  1. Ages 3 and Younger

    • The state of Florida requires that any child 3 years old or younger shall be in a child seat while a passenger in any motor vehicle on any highway, road or street within the state. This must be a separate car seat or one that is made into the vehicle by the manufacturer. A motor vehicle is defined as any vehicle that is self-propelled, not via guide ways or rails, according to the 2009 Florida Statutes website. This does not include motorized scooters, mopeds, bicycles or any electronic personal assistance mobility device.

    Ages 4 and 5

    • Children ages 4 and 5 in Florida must at all times wear a proper safety restraint when the vehicle is moving. Examples of proper child restraints are an automobile seat belt, car seat or an integrated manufacturer's car seat.

    Rear Seat Infant Restraints

    • There are no preference laws in Florida stating that a child must be in the rear seat of a moving vehicle, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website. Many states do insist that children who are in rear facing car seats be in the rear, so if you are traveling with a very young infant, you should check the regulations in the individual states along your itinerary.

    Fines

    • The driver of the vehicle, if violating any of these laws, will receive a fine and three points will go against his driving record, according to the Florida Highway Patrol website. As of January 2010, the fines were $60 and court costs of $10, according to the Florida Highway Patrol website. The courts may approve that the violator attend a child restraint safety program in the jurisdiction where he received the ticket. If the judge agrees to this participation, he may then waive the penalty and points against the license.

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