Key takeaways
- Keep your child rear-facing as long as possible, until they outgrow the seat's rear-facing height or weight limit.
- Children should ride in the back seat at least through age 12.
- Register every seat with the manufacturer so you hear about recalls.
The four stages
| Seat type | Typical ages | How it protects |
|---|---|---|
| Rear-facing car seat | Birth to 3 years | Cradles the head, neck and back in a crash |
| Forward-facing seat with harness and tether | 1 to 7 years | Harness spreads crash forces; tether limits forward head movement |
| Booster seat | 4 to 12 years | Positions the adult belt correctly on a child's body |
| Seat belt | 8 to 12 years | Once the child fits the belt properly without a booster |
The age ranges overlap on purpose. NHTSA's advice is to keep a child in each stage for as long as the seat's own height and weight limits allow, and only then move to the next one. In particular, keep your child rear-facing as long as possible.[1]
How to tell a booster is doing its job
A booster lifts a child so the lap belt lies across the upper thighs, not the stomach, and the shoulder belt crosses the chest, not the neck.[1]
After you buy: registration, recalls and a free check
- Register the seat with the manufacturer, by the mail-in card or online, so they can contact you directly about a recall.[2]
- You can also sign up for NHTSA recall alerts, and search open recalls for car seats on NHTSA's recall site.[2,3]
- Certified child passenger safety technicians at inspection stations will check your installation, free in most cases; some offer virtual checks.[2]
- Buying used? NHTSA publishes a used car seat safety checklist.[2]
What to look for when you shop
- Height and weight limits for each mode, printed on the seat label. Higher rear-facing limits let a child stay rear-facing longer.
- A seat that fits your vehicle's back seat and installs tightly with LATCH or the seat belt.
- An easy-to-read harness adjustment, so you actually re-adjust it as your child grows.
- A registration card in the box, or an online registration page from the manufacturer.[2]
Car seat checklist
- Right stage for your child's size and the seat's limits
- Rear-facing as long as the seat allows
- Seat registered with the manufacturer
- Installation checked by a certified technician
- Back seat for every child, at least through age 12
Sources
Every figure in this guide comes from the official sources below. We summarize them in our own words; check the source for the full guidance.
- 1Car Seats and Booster SeatsNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- 2Car Seat RegistrationNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- 3Check for RecallsNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
This guide is general consumer information, not medical, legal or professional advice. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your product. See our editorial policy and affiliate disclosure.
