Child Passenger Safety Laws in Florida

1. What is the minimum age required for children to ride in a booster seat in Florida?


In Florida, children must be at least 4 years of age, and weigh 40 pounds or more, to ride in a booster seat.

2. Does Florida require children to be in rear-facing car seats until a certain age?


Yes, Florida requires children under two years old to be in a rear-facing car seat.

3. What type of car seat is required for newborns and infants in Florida?


In Florida, infants and newborns must be restrained in a rear-facing car seat. The car seat must meet the standards of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 213.

4. Does Florida have a law requiring children to ride in the back seat of a vehicle?


Yes, Florida does have a law requiring children to ride in the back seat of a vehicle. Children who are younger than five years old must be secured in a child restraint system, while children between the ages of five and 17 must be secured by a safety belt.

5. How many passengers does Florida permit to ride in the back seat with a child who is using a safety seat?


Florida law requires that a safety seat be used for a child under 5 years old and under 40 pounds in weight. The law also requires that the child be properly secured in the safety seat. Depending on the size of the vehicle, Florida permits up to three passengers to ride in the back seat with a child who is using a safety seat.

6. Does Florida have any restrictions regarding the use of cell phones by drivers with passengers under the age of 18?


Yes, Florida does have restrictions regarding the use of cell phones by drivers with passengers under the age of 18. According to Florida law, drivers with passengers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using a hand-held wireless communication device to send or receive text messages while operating a motor vehicle. This includes using the device for talking, emailing, surfing the web, or any other activity that requires manual input.

7. Does Florida have laws that address the use of child restraint systems in taxicabs and other for-hire vehicles?


Yes, the State of Florida has laws that address the use of child restraint systems in taxicabs and other for-hire vehicles. Children under the age of four must be secured in a federally approved car seat or other restraint system that meets government standards. This law applies to both private and commercial vehicles, including taxicabs and other for-hire vehicles.

8. Are lap and shoulder belts required for all passengers in vehicles registered in Florida?


Yes, all passengers in vehicles registered in Florida are required to wear a lap and shoulder belt.

9. Does Florida impose any restrictions on the use of rear-facing car seats on airplanes?


No, Florida does not impose any restrictions on the use of rear-facing car seats on airplanes. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does have guidelines in place for using car seats on airplanes, and all airlines may have their own policies as well. It is important to check with the airline before traveling to make sure that the car seat is approved for use on its flights.

10. Does Florida have any laws that prohibit drivers from smoking in vehicles with passengers under the age of 18?


Yes, Florida does have laws prohibiting drivers from smoking in vehicles with passengers under the age of 18. The law, known as the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act, prohibits smoking in all enclosed workplaces and public places, including vehicles carrying one or more minors.

11. Are there any laws in Florida that apply specifically to booster seat requirements?


Yes, there are laws in Florida that apply specifically to booster seat requirements. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, children between the ages of 4 and 8 must ride in a booster seat or other child restraint system if they are under 4’9″ tall.

12. Does Florida allow for children under a certain age to be secured with a lap belt only?


No, all children must be secured in an appropriate child restraint system in the rear seat of a vehicle in Florida.

13. Which type of vehicles are exempt from child restraint laws in Florida?


Florida law exempts buses, taxicabs, limousines, and other for-hire vehicles.

14. Are there any laws in Florida that allow for exceptions to certain child restraint requirements for pregnant women?


Yes. In Florida, pregnant women may be exempt from certain child restraint requirements if the airbag or seat belt has been deactivated and the pregnant woman is seated in a rear seating position.

15. What are the penalties associated with violating child passenger safety laws in Florida?


In Florida, violating child passenger safety laws can result in a noncriminal traffic citation with a fine up to $60 and three points added to the driver’s license. In addition, any driver who has a child in the car who is not properly restrained can be fined up to $500 for a first-time offense and up to $1,000 for subsequent offenses.

16. Are there any restrictions regarding children riding in the front seat of a vehicle in Florida?


Yes, children must be in a federally-approved child safety seat or booster seat until they are at least 5 years old or reach 4’9” in height. Additionally, children under 3 must ride in the back seat of the vehicle unless the vehicle does not have a backseat.

17. Does Florida require the use of child safety seats at all times or just when certain criteria are met?


Florida requires the use of child safety seats at all times for children under the age of 5 who are under 40 pounds or 40 inches.

18. Is it legal to transport an unrestrained pet when transporting children in a vehicle registered in Florida?


No, it is not legal to transport an unrestrained pet when transporting children in a vehicle registered in Florida. As of 2010, all pets must be restrained while riding in a vehicle in the state of Florida.

19. What kind of child safety seats must be used when traveling on buses operating within Florida?


Florida law requires all children under the age of three to be secured in a federally-approved child safety seat when traveling on buses operating within the state.

20. Is there a law in Florida that requires all children riding in school buses to use booster seats or other child safety restraints?


No, there is not a law in Florida that requires all children riding in school buses to use booster seats or other child safety restraints. However, Florida law does require all children under the age of 6 to be properly restrained whenever they are in a vehicle.