Child seat safety laws in Maryland

In Maryland, child seat safety laws keep your children safe while riding in your vehicle. By following the laws, you can keep your child safe from injury or worse when you're on the road.

In Maryland, child seat safety laws are based on height and age and apply not only to Marylanders, but to anyone who can travel within the state.

Summary of Maryland Child Seat Safety Laws

Child seat safety laws in Maryland can be summarized as follows.

Children up to eight years old

By law, every child under the age of eight must ride in a car seat, child seat, or other federally approved safety device until he or she is four feet nine inches or more.

8-16 years old

If a child between the ages of 8 and 16 is not secured in a child seat, he or she must use the seat belts provided in the car.

Front seat occupancy

Some states do not allow children to travel in the front seat unless they are in a rear-facing child seat. There is no such ban in Maryland. However, child safety experts recommend that children under the age of 13 occupy the back seat of a car.

Fines

If you violate child seat safety laws in Maryland, you will have to pay a $50 fine.

Of course, following the law isn't just important because it helps you avoid a fine—laws are there to keep your child safe. Seat belt laws are also for your protection, so make sure you drive safely and make sure your kids are properly strapped in according to the law.