Editor’s note: This article was updated in 2022 to link to a more appropriate section of the relevant statute.
In Iowa law, when being transported in a motor vehicle subject to registration, a child under one year old and weighing less than twenty pounds must be secured in a rear-facing child restraint system. A child under one year old and weighing more than twenty pounds must be secured in a child restraint system used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
A child between the ages of one and five years old must be secured in a child restraint system used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
And a child between the ages of six and seventeen years old must be secured in a child restraint system used according to the manufacturer’s instructions or by an approved safety belt or safety harness.
A child restraint system is a specially designed seating system, such as a car seat, booster seat, or belt-positioning seat, meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards.
Babies and Children Up to One Year Old
A child under one year old and weighing less than twenty pounds must be secured in a rear-facing child restraint system used according to manufacturer’s instructions when being transported in a motor vehicle subject to registration. A child under one year old and weighing twenty pounds or more must be secured in a child restraint system used according to the manufacturer’s instructions when being transported in a motor vehicle subject to registration.
Children One to Five Years Old
A child between the ages of one and five years old must be secured in a child restraint system used according to the manufacturer’s instructions when being transported in a motor vehicle subject to registration.
Children Six to Seventeen Years Old
A child between the ages of six and seventeen years old must be secured in a child restraint system used according to the manufacturer’s instructions or by an approved safety belt or safety harness when being transported in a motor vehicle subject to registration.
Penalties for Violations
A violation of Iowa’s Child Restraint Devices law is a simple misdemeanor. A violation of the safety belt or safety harness provision of the law is punishable by a fine of $50.00. A violation of the child restraint system provision of the law is punishable by a fine of $100.00.
For a first violation of the child restraint system provision of the law, you may not be convicted if you are able to prove to the court within a reasonable time that you have purchased or acquired a child restraint system meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards.
If you are operating a motor vehicle and transporting a passenger under fourteen years old or a passenger fourteen years old or older who is unable to properly fasten his or her seatbelt due to a temporary or permanent disability, you may be charged with a violation. If you are transporting a passenger fourteen years old or older without a disability who is in violation of the safety belt or safety harness provision, the passenger may be charged with a violation.
If you are traveling with your child in a taxicab or in a personal vehicle operated by a transportation network company driver in violation of the child restraint system provision or the safety belt or safety harness provision of the law, you may be charged with a violation. If you are not traveling with your child, the operator of the taxicab or the personal vehicle operated by a transportation network company driver may be charged with a violation.
Exemptions
Your child may be exempt from being secured in a child restraint system used according to the manufacturer’s instructions or by an approved safety belt or safety harness if he or she is being transported in a school bus or on a motorcycle.
Your child may be exempt from being secured in a child restraint system used according to the manufacturer’s instructions or by an approved safety belt or safety harness: if he or she is being transported by a peace office acting on official duty; if he or she is being transported in a 1965 model year or older motor vehicle, an authorized emergency vehicle, or a bus; if he or she is being transported in a motor home or a motorsports recreational vehicle and he or she is not seated in the front passenger seat.
If a licensed physician has certified your child as having a medical, physical, or mental condition that prevents or makes the use of a child restraint system, safety belt, or safety harness inadvisable; or if he or she is seated in the back seat of a motor vehicle and no safety belt is available because all safety belts are being used by other occupants, or because a child restraint system is in the seating position for which a belt is provided
* Ms. Blake is licensed in the state of Maryland. The information provided in this article does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
