Effective January 1, 2017:
Children under 2 years of age shall ride in a rear-facing car seat unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds OR is 40 or more inches tall. The child shall be secured in a manner that complies with the height and weight limits specified by the manufacturer of the car seat.
Current California Law:
- Children under the age of 8 must be secured in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat.
- Children who are 8 years of age or have reached 4'9" in height must be secured by a safety belt.
- Passengers who are 16 years of age and over are subject to California's Mandatory Seat Belt Law.