Vermont’s Child Car Seat and Seat Belt Laws

Vermont has child safety seat and seat belt requirements that generally apply to all children. Drivers are responsible for ensuring all child passengers are properly secured. The type of restraint required by law varies depending on the age, weight, and height of the child and the guidelines of the child seat manufacturer.

Vermont's Car Seat and Booster Seat Laws for Children

Under Vermont law, children who are younger than eight years old generally must be secured in a child safety seat or booster seat that meets federal standards. (Federal law sets the safety requirements for all types of child safety seats.) (Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 23, § 1258 (2024).)

Vermont's Rear-Facing Car Seat Requirement

Children who are younger than two years old must be in a rear-facing child seat.

Vermont's Forward-Facing and Booster Car Seat Requirement

Children who are at least two years old but not yet eight years old can use an appropriate child seat (other than a rear-facing seat), which would be a forward-facing or booster seat depending on the size of the child.

When a Child Can Use a Standard Seat Belt in Vermont

Vermont law generally allows children who are at least eight years old to use a normal seat belt.

Vermont's Rule for Children Sitting in the Front Seat of a Car

Vermont law prohibits children in rear-facing car seats from sitting in the front seats if there are airbags that are not deactivated.

Penalties for Violating Car Seat & Child Seat Belt Laws in Vermont

A child safety seat or child restraint violation carries fines of $25 for a first offense, $50 for a second offense, and $100 for a third or subsequent offense.

Child Seat Information and Resources

For more information about child safety seats and inspection events, you can go to the Department of Motor Vehicles website. Also, recalls are occasionally issued for child safety seats. To find out about recalls, you can register with the NHTSA to receive recall information about the seat you have or search for recalls that have already been issued.