Editor’s note: This article was updated in 2022 to link to a more appropriate section of the relevant statute.
In Massachusetts law, a child under eight years old and measuring 57” in height or less must be properly fastened and secured by a child passenger restraint according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A child between the ages of eight and twelve years old or measuring more than 57” in height must wear a safety belt which is properly adjusted and fastened in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. A child between the ages of thirteen and seventeen years old must wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt.
Babies and Children Up to Eight Years Old
A child up to eight years old who is a passenger in a motor vehicle must be properly fastened and secured by a child passenger restraint according to the manufacturer’s instructions unless the child measures more than 57” in height.
Rear-facing infant car seats and convertible car seats are examples of child passenger restraint systems.
Children Eight to Twelve Years Old
A child between the ages of eight and twelve years old or measuring more than 57” in height must wear a safety belt which is properly adjusted and fastened in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Children Thirteen to Seventeen Years Old
A child between the ages of thirteen and seventeen years old must wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt when riding in a private passenger motor vehicle, vanpool vehicle, or truck under eighteen thousand pounds.
Penalties for Violations
You may be fined up to $30.00 for a violation of Massachusetts’ child passenger restraints law. A violation is not considered to be a moving violation for the purpose of determining motor vehicle premium surcharges. If you receive a citation for a violation, you may contest the citation.
Exemptions
Your child may be exempt from Massachusetts’ child passenger restraints law if your child is riding as a passenger in a school bus.
Your child may be exempt from Massachusetts’ child passenger restraints law if your child is riding as a passenger in a motor vehicle manufactured before July 1, 1966 and that motor vehicle is not equipped with safety belts.
Your child may be exempt from Massachusetts’ child passenger restraints law if a physician provides written certification that your child is not physically able to use either a conventional child passenger restraint or a child restraint designed specifically for children with special needs, describes your child’s disability, and explains the reasons why such child restraints are not appropriate for your child.
The operator of a motor vehicle may be exempt from Massachusetts’ child passenger restraints law if your child is being transported in a motor vehicle licensed as a taxi cab which is not equipped with a child passenger restraint device. However, children must be restrained in accordance with passenger restraint law while being transported in a taxi.
Your child may be exempt from Massachusetts’s seat belt law if your child is riding in a motor vehicle manufactured before July 1, 1966.
Your child may be exempt from Massachusetts’ seat belt law if your child is physically unable to use a safety belt and a physician provides written certification of your child’s handicap and the reasons why the use of a seat belt is not appropriate for your child.
FAQ
What is Massachusetts booster seat law?
Massachusetts car seat law does not outline exactly when to place your child in a booster seat. The law states that you must secure children up to eight years old and 4’9” tall in an suitable child restraint system for their height and weight. Booster seat height and weight requirements are listed by the manufacturer. Make sure your child passenger restraint system fits your child’s age, height, and weight before securing your child.
What are Massachusetts car seat laws for rear-facing car seats?
Massachusetts child car seat laws do not specify when you can switch a child from a rear-facing to a forward-facing car seat. The Massachusetts Office of Public Safety and Security recommends leaving your child in a rear-facing car seat as long as you can. Your child must ride in a front-facing car seat if they have outgrown their rear-facing car seat.
When can kids sit in the front seat in Massachusetts?
There is no car seat law that states when children can ride in the front seat in Massachusetts. The state Office of Public Safety and Security advises that children should stay in the back seat until they are at least 13.
* 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.
