Child passenger safety
Minnesota car seat law as of Aug. 1, 2024
New car seat guidelines
The updated law is based on best practice recommendations that encourage caregivers and parents to get the full use out of your car seat by maxing it out in either the height limit or the weight limit, whichever your child reaches first. It's the safest thing you can do.
Every driver who transports a child under the age of 18 years in a motor vehicle, is required to have the child restrained in a car seat or seat belt.
Click on each section below to see the guidelines.
New guidelines
Additionally, children under 13 years old must sit in the back seat if possible.
If a child falls into more than one category, then the child must be placed in the safer restraint for them. For example, a child who is 2.5 years old and weighs 35 pounds but has a car seat with a rear-facing limit of 40 pounds must stay rear-facing even though they are over 2 years old. It's very important for parents and caregivers to always read their car seat and vehicle owners' manuals for proper installation.
Additional information
For the safety of your children
- Be an attentive driver.
- Always buckle up.
- Always secure your children in the proper restraint for their age, height and weight.
- Always have your children sit in the back seat.
See what happens to a child in the front seat when an air bag deploys: